The Chicago-born singer-songwriter, was discovered by Kris Kristofferson. He collaborated with close friend John Prine throughout his career. His superb guitar ability (honed at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music) and creative songwriting ability led him to success in the 1970s folk scene. Often funny, sometimes heartbreaking, always unpredictable, Steve Goodman was the consummate performer whether in a small Chicago venue, Austin City Limits, or opening for Steve Martin (and often stealing the show!). Steve is probably best known for his song "City of New Orleans", which was later covered by Arlo Guthrie among others. He has also been covered by Jimmy Buffett and many others. Steve was the ultimate suffering Chicago Cub fan, writing the songs "Go, Cubs, Go" and the unfortunately very true "A Dying Cub Fans Last Request".
Steve's life was cut short in 1984 by leukemia, but fortunately an extensive catalog remains, including the recently released, "Live at the Earl" as well as the DVD "Steve Goodman Live at Austin City Limits and More."
Souvenirs
Steve Goodman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Christmas days have come and gone
Broken toys and faded colours are all that's left to linger on
I hate graveyards and old oawn shops
For they always bring me tears
I can't forgive the way they robbed me of my childhood souvenirs
Memories, they can't be boughten
Well it took me years to get those souvenirs
And I don't know how they slipped away from me
Broken hearts and dirty windows
Make life difficult to see
That's why last night and this morning
Always look the same to me
And I hate reading old love letters
For they always bring me tears
I can't forget the way they robbed me
Of my sweetheart's souvenirs
Memories, they can't be boughten
They can't be won at carnivals for free
Well it took me years to get those souvenirs
And I don't know how they slipped away from me
In Steve Goodman's song Souvenirs, the lyrics convey a sense of nostalgia and loss as the singer reflects on his childhood memories and lost love. The first stanza describes the passing of time as "all the snow has turned to water" and "Christmas days have come and gone". The singer laments the loss of his childhood toys and the fading of vibrant colors, which are symbols of the transience of life. He expresses his dislike for graveyards and pawn shops because they remind him of the passage of time and the inevitability of loss. The singer feels robbed of his childhood souvenirs, which represent a time of innocence and joy that can never be recaptured.
The second stanza continues the theme of loss and the inability to recreate memories. The singer reflects on broken hearts and dirty windows, which represent the difficulties of life and the challenges of seeing clearly through the noise and distractions of everyday existence. The singer admits that reading old love letters brings tears to his eyes because they remind him of the love that was lost. The singer feels robbed of his sweetheart's souvenirs, which represent the love that was shared and the connection that was lost.
Line by Line Meaning
All the snow has turned to water
The winter season has ended and melted away
Christmas days have come and gone
The festive holiday season has passed
Broken toys and faded colours are all that's left to linger on
Only memories of toys and colors remain, but they are broken and faded
I hate graveyards and old pawn shops
The artist dislikes places where memories of the past are stored
For they always bring me tears
These places evoke strong emotions and sadness in the artist
I can't forgive the way they robbed me of my childhood souvenirs
The singer is resentful of the fact that they lost their childhood memories due to these places
Memories, they can't be boughten
Memories cannot be purchased with money
They can't be won at carnivals for free
Memories cannot be obtained easily or without effort
Well it took me years to get those souvenirs
The artist accumulated their memories over a long period of time
And I don't know how they slipped away from me
The artist is unsure of how they lost their memories
Broken hearts and dirty windows
The singer is experiencing emotional pain and has a negative outlook on life
Make life difficult to see
This emotional pain makes it challenging to find happiness
That's why last night and this morning
The singer feels their days are repetitive and lacking in meaningful change
Always look the same to me
The days blend together and feel monotonous to the singer
And I hate reading old love letters
The singer dislikes revisiting past relationships through written memories
For they always bring me tears
Reading old love letters elicits sadness in the artist
I can't forget the way they robbed me
The artist is still full of resentment towards the loss of their past love
Of my sweetheart's souvenirs
The singer has lost memories associated with their past relationship
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN PRINE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@JimGlover1
Lyrics
All the snow has turned to water
Christmas days have come and gone
Broken toys and faded colours
Are all that's left to linger on
I hate graveyards and old pawn shops
For they always bring me tears
I can't forgive the way they robbed me
Of my childhood souvenirs
Memories, they can't be boughten
They can't be won at carnivals for free
Well it took me years to get those souvenirs
And I don't know how they slipped away from me
Broken hearts and dirty windows
Make life difficult to see
That's why last night and this morning
Always look the same to me
And I hate reading old love letters
For they always bring me tears
I can't forget the way they robbed me
Of my sweetheart's souvenirs
Memories they can't be boughten
They can't be won at carnivals for free
Well it took me years to get those souvenirs
And I don't know how they slipped away from me
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: John Prine
@sl0peyt888
All the snow has turned to water
Christmas days have come and gone
Broken toys and faded colors
Are all that's left to linger on
I hate graveyards and old pawn shops
For they always bring me tears
I can't forgive the way they rob me
Of my childhood souvenirs
Memories they can't be boughten
They can't be won at carnivals for free
Well it took me years
To get those souvenirs
And I don't know how they slipped away from me
Broken hearts and dirty windows
Make life difficult to see
That's why last night and this mornin'
Always look the same to me
I hate reading old love letters
For they always bring me tears
I can't forgive the way they rob me
Of my sweetheart's souvenirs
Memories they can't be boughten
They can't be won at carnivals for free
Well it took me years
To get those souvenirs
And I don't know how they slipped away from me
@remya4050
All the snow has turned to water
Christmas days have come and gone
Broken toys and faded colours are all that's left to linger on
I hate graveyards and old oawn shops
For they always bring me tears
I can't forgive the way they robbed me of my childhood souvenirs
Memories, they can't be boughten
They can't be won at carnivals for free
Well it took me years to get those souvenirs
And I don't know how they slipped away from me
Broken hearts and dirty windows
Make life difficult to see
That's why last night and this morning
Always look the same to me
And I hate reading old love letters
For they always bring me tears
I can't forget the way they robbed me
Of my sweetheart's souvenirs
Memories, they can't be boughten
They can't be won at carnivals for free
Well it took me years to get those souvenirs
And I don't know how they slipped away from me
Written by John Prine • Copyright © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc
@hochbob
We have been blessed by the genius of these great trubadours. This duet is one of the most melodic guitar pieces I've ever heard.
@thelizinator
I'd like to imagine John and Steve are singing this together tonight. Rest in peace, John.
@shanephillips1730
Amen!
@dianenorman407
Amen to the greatest! Steve's strumming and John's running there will be some pickin today. April 7, 2020
@PugetSoundFlyer
Me too. Wouldn't that be pretty.....
@jackandpiper
thelizinator my friends played this at my Dad’s funeral...now my heart is broken again💔
@toddfischer1519
Bot of course
@bettywalton5572
Two truly iconic singer songwriters who did not grace us with their presence long enough.
@KathrynCummings1
💙
@KathrynCummings1
Published on YouTube 14 yrs ago but performed probably, close to, 40 years ago? 😢