Meaning of "Blues Stay Away From Me" by The Notting Hillbillies

The lyrics of "Blues Stay Away From Me" explore themes of heartache, loneliness, and the persistent presence of the blues in one's life. The speaker pleads for the blues to stay away, suggesting that they are tired of the sadness and despair that seems to shadow them. The repetition of the refrain "time goes by and still I can't be free" reveals a sense of hopelessness, as if the passage of time has not brought the desired freedom from these feelings.

The song suggests that the blues are an ever-present force, haunting the speaker and preventing them from finding true love and happiness. The line "Love was never meant for me, true love was never meant for me" reflects a sense of resignation and acceptance that love and joy may not be attainable for the speaker. The repeated mention of tears and the inability to see through them conveys the depth of pain experienced. The reference to dreams as "like a memory" suggests that the speaker longs for a love from the past but is unable to recreate it in their present reality.

Furthermore, the lyrics imply that time itself is not enough to heal the wounds caused by the blues. The repeated assertion that time goes by and the speaker remains unable to be free highlights the enduring nature of these negative emotions. The concept of being trapped in a cycle of misery is emphasized, with the blues constantly haunting and preventing forward progress.

Overall, "Blues Stay Away From Me" presents a poignant exploration of the longing for happiness, the impact of heartbreak, and the struggle to find freedom from emotional pain. It reflects a deep understanding of the lingering nature of sadness and the difficulty of breaking free from its grip.