I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)

This is yet, another song that can be played 20 times over and not get tired of. I guess I'll explain it better, and even use spellcheck (chels15 hint, hint)...

Of course, he's madly in love with this certain woman, whom he's had a relationship with at one point. Now, it's obviously over and she keeps reminding him about that, every time they run into each other. And Michael McDonald has Alzheimer's.... Ok, that was just stupid, sorry. Anyway, he can't get over her, regardless of how hard he tries. Blah, blah, blah....

The music in this song is something you don't hear nowadays either. The way the different sounds from each instrument all have their own path and yet, they seem to meet at the same destination! And it gives that funky, smoothness that only M.M. can give to you!

Out(fuckin)standing song! Period!

Great song!

i think they steal love each other. but they dont want to but at the same time they do. one of the greats songs ever :)

i think they steal love each other. but they dont want to but at the same time they do. one of the greats songs ever :)

I think the man cannot accept the relationship is over and is simply still in love with her she being the strong one and he cant believe its over.

People have already said what the lyrics are about, and they're right on the money, but there's something unusual about this song, and it didn't hit me until about the five hundredth time I heard it, and now it's the thing I think about most…

Michael McDonald sings all of the lyrics until about 2:01, when his sister, Maureen McDonald, takes over. She's listed as "backing vocals" but that's not quite right. She simply becomes the lead vocalist for the rest of the song, and after that point, Michael is backing up her. She sings all of the main lyrics from 2:01 on and he chimes in backing phrases here and there.

There are two ways to hear this: One, that the backing vocals from Maureen are a form of instrumentation to complement the lead vocalist, Michael. But what popped out to me all of a sudden was that you could also hear it as the woman from the first half of the lyrics providing a second perspective on the story, and saying basically the same things as the man. In other words, he is sorry about their breakup and wishes that they were both together, and then we learn that she feels the same way. Both of them wish they were still together but neither has let the other know.

I don't really believe that the performers intended the second way of hearing it, but it's so poignant that I can't hear the song now and not think of this.

It's a great song whatever you happen to be thinking of when you hear it.