Burning Memories
The Highwaymen Lyrics


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Burning memories
Teardrops fall while I am
Burning memories
Burning all the memories of you that I can't lose

Tonight I'm burning old love letters
Photographs and memories of you
Hoping somehow I'll feel better
And when the smoke is gone I won't want you

Burning memories
Teardrops fall while I am
Burning memories
Burning all the memories of you that I can't lose

My heart to you no longer matters
And I can't live alone with memories
Into the fire those dreams that you've shattered
And when the smoke is gone then I'll be free

Burning memories
Teardrops fall while I am




Burning memories
Burning all the memories of you that I can't lose

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Burning Memories convey the act of burning memories of a past relationship in order to move on. The first stanza describes the act of burning memories, while the second stanza describes the specific items being burned - old love letters, photographs, and memories. The singer expresses the hope that burning these items will bring some relief and a sense of liberation from the pain and attachment of the past relationship.


The third stanza further emphasizes the need to let go of the past relationship and the pain it has caused. The singer acknowledges that their heart no longer matters to their past partner, and that living with only memories is not a viable option. The final line of the stanza, "And when the smoke is gone then I'll be free," reinforces the idea that burning the memories is a necessary step in moving on and attaining freedom.


Overall, the lyrics of Burning Memories paint a picture of the painful process of letting go of a past relationship through the act of burning physical reminders of it. The singer's hope for relief and eventual freedom is palpable, as is the sense of desperation and finality conveyed in lines such as "And I can't live alone with memories" and "Burning all the memories of you that I can't lose."


Line by Line Meaning

Burning memories
The act of getting rid of the memories of a past relationship


Teardrops fall while I am
While trying to forget about the past relationship, the person is still emotional and crying


Burning all the memories of you that I can't lose
Destroying all memories of the past relationship that are too painful to hold onto


Tonight I'm burning old love letters
Getting rid of old love letters that remind the person of the past relationship


Photographs and memories of you
Destroying photographs and other items that remind the person of the past relationship


Hoping somehow I'll feel better
Trying to move on from the past relationship and hoping it will help the person feel better


And when the smoke is gone I won't want you
After getting rid of all the reminders of the past relationship, the person will no longer want to be with their ex


My heart to you no longer matters
The person no longer cares about their ex and their past relationship


And I can't live alone with memories
The person cannot continue to dwell on their past relationship and needs to move on


Into the fire those dreams that you've shattered
Destroying all hopes and dreams that were shattered during the past relationship


And when the smoke is gone then I'll be free
After letting go of the past relationship, the person will feel free and ready to move on with their life




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MEL TILLIS, WAYNE P. WALKER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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