I don't know where the years have gone
Memories can only last so long
Like faded photographs, forgotten songs
And the things I never knew
When the skin is thin, the heart shows through
Please believe me what I tell you is true

Where's the light, turn then on again
One more night to believe and then
Another note for my requiem
A memory to carry on
The story's over when the crowds are gone

All my friends have been crucified
They made life a long suicide true
Guess we never figured out the rules
But I'm still alive and my fingers feel
I'm gonna play on till the final reel's through
And read the credits from a different view

Where's the lights, turn them on again
One more night to believe and then
Another note for my requiem
A memory to carry on
The story's over when the crowds are gone

When the crowds are gone
And I'm all alone
Playing a final song
Now that the lights are gone
Turn them on again
One more time for me my friend
Turn them on again
I never wanted to know
Never wanted to see
I wasted my time till time wasted me
Never wanted to go
Always wanted to stay
Cause the person I am are the parts that I play
So I play and I plan
And hope and I scheme
To the lure of a night
Filled with unfinished dreams
And I'm holding on tight
To a world gone astray

As they charge me for years
I can no longer pay

And the lights
Turn them off my friend
And the ghosts
Well just let them in
Cause in the dark
It's easier to see


Lyrics submitted by Seven

When the Crowds Are Gone Lyrics as written by Jon Oliva Christopher M Oliva

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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When The Crowds Are Gone song meanings
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9 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    this song is about a musician who tired the life he is living and he says "the story is over when the crowds are gone" ı believe that the song is somehow related with the story of the "streets" and when you think about that you realize that this song has so much meaning in it anyway very sad song

    mechanic realityon May 23, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This song is about an old man. A musician mourning the years of his life. He is sitting on an empty stage holding his guitar. Reflecting on his memories that seem "like faded photographs" now. Whatever gaps he cannot remember his heart fills. He mourns his days of glory with his band. Wishes to play just one more time. He regrets the years he wasted and the all the "unfinished dreams" he had. He is getting old now and does not have much years left. He then reflects on how he can better understand his past after the lights were gone.

    Amazingly sad song. One of the most beautiful songs ever.

    hummosaon September 01, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Fuck man....no way...nobody seems to know savatage!!!!! That is scary...this is maybe the best song ever. If you really want to appreciate more hear the live version. This song is so emotional. This guy wants to have back the lost days when he was in a band and when the crowds used to whorship him.I think that the members of his lost band are dead:

    All my friends have been crucified They made life a long suicide true Guess we never figured out the rules But I'm still alive and my fingers feel

    They are now ghosts and if he stays unknown he'll be , maybe, more able to see them.

    dylanrockson December 11, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I always took it as a song about people who try to win aproval from the masses by conforming, only to find out that the masses quickley change what they view to be acceptable and the man in the song realized he spent his life for nothing.

    Grace_UnderPressureon December 16, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    The whole album tells the story of Downtown\nJesus.

    Dandreavon March 28, 2022   Link
  • -1
    General Comment

    Excellent song by an excellent band.. I agree with Dylan on the meanning of the song. In fact, Savatage was supposed to release a double album "Ghost In The Ruins: a Rock Opera" but their label didnt support them and rejected the idea... "When the Crowds are Gone" and other songs were actually written for that album but after the idea was rejected they decided to do a non-conceptual album called "Gutter Ballet", its so clear that the song is about DT.Jesus the charecter that would later appear in "Streets: A Rock Opera". Theres some similarities in the lyrics with "I Believe" from "Streets" album...

    anyway.. Brilliant song. The best on the album next to "Gutter Ballet" & "Hounds".

    MMM88on February 12, 2006   Link
  • -1
    General Comment

    hmm...it's D.T Jesus? why did i never think that? and yes, nobody seems to know savatage, especialy young ones like me.

    SMUSER17069464on June 10, 2006   Link
  • -1
    General Comment

    Amazing song.

    I never knew about this band.

    BUT WOW

    Stojon July 12, 2006   Link
  • -1
    General Comment

    Maybe, no strike that, easily the best song ever written. With lyrics anyway, I'm partial to symphonies and orchestral pieces but since this has both I can't imagine anything better. Thanx Criss and Jon!

    elbowmacaronion October 19, 2009   Link

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