Keep You Around

The Story So Far's song 'Keep You Around' delves deep into the emotional turmoil and the process of grieving a lost loved one. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the protagonist's struggle to cope with the loss, while also trying to find a way to move forward. The opening lines, 'I'll get up and help with the yard work / I let the outside noises always pull me under,' suggest a sense of distraction and an attempt to find normalcy in mundane tasks, yet the overwhelming grief keeps pulling them back into sorrow.

The recurring theme of 'shielding' and 'covering' oneself in the likeness and shade of the deceased loved one indicates a deep connection and a struggle to let go. The lines 'Shield myself in the color of your likeness / Cover myself in the shade where I spread your ashes' metaphorically represent the comfort and protection the protagonist seeks in the memory of the lost one. This imagery of ashes and shade suggests a lingering presence that provides solace but also a reminder of the loss.

The song also touches on the inevitability of moving on, despite the pain. The lyrics 'There's no success without the test of leaving you behind / I will meet you there when I'm done with here' reflect the internal conflict between holding on to memories and the necessity of continuing with life. The repeated assertion 'I just gotta move on now' underscores the difficult but essential step of moving forward while keeping the memory of the loved one close. The song beautifully captures the essence of grief, the struggle to find peace, and the journey towards acceptance and healing.