Meaning of "Livin' on a Memory" by Alannah Myles

The lyrics paint a picture of someone who is trapped in a cycle of regret and longing for a past that cannot be changed. The imagery of a bare bulb hotel, dead eyes, bugs biting, and the August sky looking like rain all evoke a sense of desolation and hopelessness. The protagonist is running from their destiny, haunted by their mistakes and memories. The theme of being haunted is reinforced by references to being watched and paying for sins. The river symbolizes the passage of time and the inevitability of moving forward despite the desire to remain in the past. Overall, the song conveys a sense of melancholy and resignation, with the protagonist acknowledging their inability to escape from the memories that weigh them down.