About The Song
Keith Whitley’s “Don’t Close Your Eyes” is a beautiful and poignant ballad about a man who is begging his lover to forget about her past and let herself love him fully. The song was released in 1988 as the third single from Whitley’s album of the same name, and it quickly became one of his most popular and enduring hits.
The song begins with the man pleading with his lover to “don’t close your eyes” and to “let it be me.” He knows that she is still haunted by her past, but he wants her to give him a chance to show her what true love is.
In the chorus, the man sings:
Don’t close your eyes, let it be me Don’t pretend it’s him in some fantasy Dining just once, just hold me tight When you love me tonight
He is asking her to be present in the moment and to let herself feel the love that he has for her. He knows that she is capable of great love, and he wants her to experience it with him.
In the second verse, the man sings:
But darling this time let your memories die When you hold me tonight don’t close your eyes Don’t close your mind just hold me tight When you love me tonight
He is asking her to let go of the past and to open her heart to the possibility of new love. He knows that she has been hurt before, but he wants her to know that he is different. He is willing to love her unconditionally.
The bridge of the song is particularly powerful, as the man sings:
Darling just once let yesterday go And you’ll find more love than you’ve ever known Just hold me tight
He is reminding her that she deserves to be happy, and that she is capable of finding true love again. He is asking her to trust him and to give him a chance to prove himself to her.
The song ends with the man repeating the chorus, and with the line “don’t close your eyes, don’t close your eyes, let it be me.”
“Don’t Close Your Eyes” is a timeless love song that speaks to the heart of anyone who has ever been hurt in the past. It is a song about hope, forgiveness, and new beginnings. It is a song that reminds us that true love is always possible, no matter what we have been through.
Keith Whitley’s rendition of “Don’t Close Your Eyes” is considered to be one of the greatest country music songs of all time. It is a song that has been covered by many other artists, but Whitley’s version remains the definitive version. His soulful vocals and heartfelt delivery perfectly capture the emotion of the song.
“Don’t Close Your Eyes” is a song that will continue to be enjoyed by listeners for generations to come. It is a song that speaks to the universal human experience of love and loss, and it is a song that offers hope and inspiration to those who have been hurt.
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Lyrics
I know you loved him
A long time ago
Even now in my arms
You still want him I know
But darling this time
Let your memories die
When you hold me tonight
Don’t close your eyes
Don’t close your eyes
Let it be me
Don’t pretend it’s him
In some fantasy
Darling just once
Let yesterday go
You’ll find more love
Than you’ve ever known
Just hold me tight
When you love me tonight
And don’t close your eyes
Maybe I’ve been a fool
Holding on all this time
Lyin’ here in your arms
Knowing he’s in your mind
But I keep hoping some day
That you’ll see the light
Let it be me tonight
Don’t close your eyes
Don’t close your eyes
Let it be me
Don’t pretend it’s him
In some fantasy
Darling just once
Let yesterday go
You’ll find more love
Than you’ve ever known
Just hold me tight
When you love me tonight
And don’t close your eyes
Don’t close your eyes
Let it be me
Don’t pretend it’s him
In some fantasy
Darling just once
Let yesterday go
You’ll find more love
Than you’ve ever known
Just hold me tight
When you love me tonight
And don’t close your eyes
Just hold me tight
When you love me tonight
And don’t close your eyes