Love Ain't For Keeping

The Who

Layin' on my back
In the newly mown grass
Rain is coming down
But I know the clouds will pass
You bring me tea
Say, "The babe's a-sleeping"
Lay down beside me
Love ain't for keeping

Black ash from the foundry
Hangs like a hood
But the air is perfumed
By the burning firewood
The seeds are bursting
The spring is a-seeping
Lay down my darling
Love ain't for keeping
Lay down beside me
Love ain't for keeping

Lay down beside me
Love ain't for keeping
Lay down my darling
Love ain't for keeping


Lyrics submitted by Nelly

Love Ain't for Keeping Lyrics as written by Pete Townshend

Lyrics © Spirit Music Group, Abkco Music Inc.

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Love Ain't For Keeping song meanings
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5 Comments

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  • +1
    General CommentOn Odds and Sods there is a live version recorded with Leslie West which is much harder and heavier sounding than this, as expected. IMO, neither is better than the other. I can listen to both anytime.
    EveryMnon January 31, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI know the clouds will pass. Just a great little diddy.
    pakaloloon May 25, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General CommentAnother great Who song lost in some rarities-tapes. It was a part of teh lifehouse concept. The song was originally recorded with electric instruments as a full-blown rock song. The version that came out on record is accoutic. Much better that way. Nice pete solo. Not a single bum note. Hehe. He's the best at everything he does.
    Geerhnkojeon March 11, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI like this song because IT took me a long time to understand what it meant. Basically what it says.. Give your love when every you get the chance, esp when your kids are sleeping ;)
    PTCGAZon December 31, 2012   Link
  • -1
    General CommentI was first attracted by the title of this song “Love Ain’t for Keeping” because it sounded different from most pop songs. I Interpreted it as, you can’t imprison love, hold on to it as if it’s a possession. Love, when it appears to exist, is something intangible, wispy, ephemeral, transient, like all feelings. A sentiment that seems to correspond to reality more than the excessively romantic and unrealistic idea that love is forever, something that you find in most pop songs.

    However, something didn’t make sense in the song. So being curious about other people’s experiences, words and ideas, I looked carefully at the lyrics especially the main refrain “lay down beside me, love ain’t for keeping”. I then realised that the singer means that love is not meant to be kept hidden inside your heart or head, but should be expressed to the other person. Very true, if the feeling is reciprocal...
    Seron April 24, 2021   Link

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