For Le Ann
Tony Joe White Lyrics


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Mem'ries of you smile roll 'cross my mind
Memories I thought I'd left behind
And as I hear that big jet engine whine
I close my eyes and make believe
You're here with me
And I can almost feel you here beside me
Feel your gentle hands to guide me
You make me feel like a man at all times

Now I know there were things I could have said
To make you feel secure but instead
I must admit I played my part so well
You could never tell that I needed you
And I wanted you
Now why can't we learn to talk to each other
And open ourselves to one another
Why must it be so lonely together

Lord a quarter of my life has come and passed
And I'm beginning to know myself at last
For being cool ain't worth the time I spend
To show my friends that I'm cool
And I'm no one's fool
But don't you see that's not the real me
If you leave it'll almost kill me
And I'd be like a song without some soul

For how can you say you've really lived
Unless one time in your life you give all of yourself




And there's nothing in return?
Lord yeah yeah yeah

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Tony Joe White's song "For LeAnn" can be interpreted as a reflection on a past relationship that the singer still holds dear. The memories of the singer's former partner continue to linger, despite attempts at moving on. The sound of a big jet engine triggers a feeling of nostalgia and longing, causing the singer to imagine that their former partner is still there with them. They can almost feel their partner's presence and the comfort they used to provide.


However, as the lyrics continue, the singer expresses regret about their actions in the past. They admit to not expressing their feelings and instead putting on a facade of independence. They wish that they had just spoken honestly with their partner - perhaps, then, they would not be so lonely now. The song closes with a plea for vulnerability and openness, and the admission that life cannot truly be lived without giving all of oneself to another person.


Line by Line Meaning

Mem'ries of you smile roll 'cross my mind
I think back to the memories of your smile.


Memories I thought I'd left behind
I thought I had moved on from those memories.


And as I hear that big jet engine whine
As I hear the jet engine noise,


I close my eyes and make believe
I imagine in my mind,


You're here with me
That you are with me right now.


And I can almost feel you here beside me
It feels like you're right by my side,


Feel your gentle hands to guide me
And I can feel your hands gently guiding me,


You make me feel like a man at all times
You make me feel like a complete man all the time.


Now I know there were things I could have said
I've realized there were things I should have said,


To make you feel secure but instead
To make you feel safe, but I didn't,


I must admit I played my part so well
I have to admit I acted the part well,


You could never tell that I needed you
You never knew that I needed you,


And I wanted you
And I wanted you badly,


Now why can't we learn to talk to each other
Why can't we learn to communicate better with one another,


And open ourselves to one another
And open up to each other,


Why must it be so lonely together
Why does it have to be so lonely when we are together,


Lord a quarter of my life has come and passed
Lord, a quarter of my life has gone by,


And I'm beginning to know myself at last
And I'm finally getting to know myself,


For being cool ain't worth the time I spend
Being cool isn't as important as the time I waste trying to be cool,


To show my friends that I'm cool
To prove to my friends that I'm cool,


And I'm no one's fool
And I'm not going to be a fool anymore,


But don't you see that's not the real me
But you have to see that is not the true me,


If you leave it'll almost kill me
If you leave, it will hurt me almost to death,


And I'd be like a song without some soul
Without you, I'd be like a song without a soul,


For how can you say you've really lived
Because how can you claim to have truly lived,


Unless one time in your life you give all of yourself
Unless you have given all of yourself during one moment in your life,


And there's nothing in return?
Even if you get nothing in return?


Lord yeah yeah yeah
Lord, yes, yes, yes.




Contributed by Ella H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Kevin Moore

One of my favourite of his although grossly overly orchestrated as was the norm back then. BTW this is his second album, not his debut album. The title "Continued" is a bit of a give-away. :-)

Jan-Erik Andersen

His best song ever.A mystery why it isn`t more known around.

Oficina técnica de proyectos

What a discovery. Thanks to my dear friend Roy, from Margarita Island

Lennart Möller

In my heart

Roland Hagerty

This is his wife. She is a very nice lady.

k kontom

fav for me also , so that's why i uploaded it

Plr

1.36 Shuggy O.

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