Closing This Memory Down
Closing This Memory: Heartache and Endings in Lee Ann Womack's Ballad
Lyrics
The phone rang... I said, "Hello."
The narrator answers a phone call.
He said, "Can we talk baby?"
The caller asks to talk.
And I said, "Darlin' I'm closed for the night."
The narrator declines, indicating emotional closure for the day.
And he said, "Well, I saw a light."
The caller insists on seeing a glimmer of hope.
Yeah, but there's nobody home
The narrator suggests there's no one emotionally available.
I think you're lookin' for someone or something
Perceives the caller's search for someone or something missing.
That's either missin' or gone
Highlights the absence or loss the caller is experiencing.
And I think it's time I hung a sign in the window
Expresses a desire to close emotionally, symbolized by a sign.
'Cause I'm tired, I'm so tired of my heart goin' broke
Tired of emotional pain leading to heartbreaks.
I'm goin' out of business
Metaphorically going out of business emotionally.
There's no need for you to come around
Urges the caller not to continue pursuing.
'Cause I'm closin' this memory down
Reinforces the decision to close off emotionally.
I'm closin' this memory down
Reiterates the intent to close off emotionally.
And then there was silence
Describes the subsequent silence between them.
You know...like there always is
Typical silence when one doesn't comprehend the other's feelings.
When one doesn't understand
Emphasizes the lack of understanding between them.
The other has nothin' left to give tonight
One is emotionally depleted, unable to offer anything.
Let it be closin' time
Symbolizes the end of the emotional connection.
I can't go on livin' like this
The narrator cannot continue with the current emotional state.
I think you're lookin' for someone or something
Perceives the caller's search for something unattainable.
That's either missin' or I just can't help you with
Admits inability to assist with what the caller seeks.
And I think it's time I hung a sign in the window
Desire to signal emotional closure.
'Cause I'm tired, I'm so tired of my heart goin' broke
Expresses exhaustion from emotional distress.
I'm goin' out of business
Continues the metaphor of emotionally 'closing shop'.
There's no need for you to come around
Reiterates the caller should refrain from coming.
'Cause I'm closin' this memory down
Confirming the decision to close off emotionally.
I'm closin' this memory down
Reaffirms the intent to close off emotionally.
You don't know how hard love worked
Reflects on the hardships of love.
But just how badly love hurt to fail
Highlights the intense pain experienced from love's failure.
The phone rang...I said, "Hello."
Repeats the earlier scene of answering the phone call.
He said, "Can we talk baby?"
Caller repeats the request to talk.
And I said, "Darlin' I'm closin' this memory down."
Narrator firmly states emotional closure.
I'm closin' this memory down
Reiterates the decision to emotionally close.
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