Lyrics: By Heart

You’re asked to recite a poem (or song lyrics) from memory — what’s the first one that comes to mind? Does it have a special meaning, or is there another reason it has stayed, intact, in your mind?

I hadn’t even thought of this song for at least twenty years, until last Saturday, when I heard it on an 80’s radio show I usually listen to every week. The memories came flooding back and I’ve found myself singing it all through the day since then.

This was originally recorded by rock opera legend, Meatloaf, but the version I am familiar with was done by Barry Manilow. It’s really a break up song, and very well suited for a stage drama. I remember listening to this after a particularly awful break up after a long relationship many years ago. It comforted me, I suppose.

This part of the song is actually the bridge and you have to imagine a typical Meatloaf song with all the crescendos and the orchestra and backing chorus going at full speed in dramatic form. I really enjoy the movement here.

You have to sing this passionately with hairbrush in hand and even some air-piano, if you so desire 🙂

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Read ’em and weep —
For all the hours we’ll be spending alone
For the dreams we’ll ignore
For all the promises we promised to keep
They won’t be kept anymore

Read ’em and weep —
For all the magic that our bodies have made
For the blood that we’ve lost
For all the secrets that we’ve somehow betrayed
For whatever the cost

Read ’em and weep —
For the memories still alive in our bed
For the lies we believed
And all the things that will have never been said
Come on and look at me and read ’em and weep