Meaning of "Yours To Keep" by Guided By Voices

The lyrics of "Yours To Keep" by Guided By Voices explore themes of deception, manipulation, and the hollowness of superficial relationships. The opening lines suggest the desperation of pursuing someone based on their looks without truly knowing them, leading to disappointment when the facade fades. The imagery of training a bear to win a prize represents the lengths people will go to in order to possess something, even if it means destroying it in the process. Ultimately, the idea of a "necklace of fifty eyes" implies the burden of carrying the weight of deceit and manipulation, suggesting that the superficial gains are not worth the cost. The song serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of prioritizing appearances over authenticity in relationships.