Love Ain't for Keeping

The Who

About Love Ain't for Keeping

"Love Ain't for Keeping" is a song written by Pete Townshend and originally released by the Who on their 1971 album Who's Next. Its themes include the joy of physical love, the power of nature and the need to live for the moment.


Year:
1971
2:10
233 
#1

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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-sleepin'"
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

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The Who

The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey (lead vocals, guitar, harmonica), Pete Townshend (vocals, guitar, keyboards), John Entwistle (vocals, bass) and Keith Moon, (drums, vocals). They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction. The Who have sold about 100 million records, and have charted 27 top forty singles in the United Kingdom and United States, as well as 17 top ten albums, with 18 Gold, 12 Platinum and 5 Multi-Platinum album awards in the United States alone. more »

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Written by: PETE TOWNSHEND

Lyrics © Spirit Music Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Release Details
"Love Ain't for Keeping" is a song by the English rock band The Who. It was featured in their fifth studio album titled "Who's Next", which was released in August 1971.
Songwriter Attribution
The song was composed by Pete Townshend, the primary songwriter and guitarist of the band.
Original Version
The original version of "Love Ain't for Keeping" was an electric, hard rock number and was initially supposed to appear on the band's abandoned project, "Lifehouse".
Album Version
The version of "Love Ain't for Keeping" which appears on the "Who's Next," album is an acoustic arrangement. This version was recorded in New York with producer Glyn Johns.
Live Performances
Though the song is popular among fans, it has been infrequently performed live by The Who. The band initially performed it during their 1971 tour.
Cover Versions
A number of artists have covered "Love Ain't for Keeping," including Pearl Jam, who performed the song during a 2008 concert in Virginia.
Band Lineup
During the recording of "Love Ain't for Keeping," The Who consisted of Roger Daltrey on lead vocals, guitarist Pete Townshend, bassist John Entwistle, and drummer Keith Moon.
Theme
The song is a poignant yet simple love song, which has been interpreted by many as a commentary on the transient nature of love and relationships.
Lyrical Content
Unlike many Who songs that feature complex narrative or abstract themes, "Love Ain't For Keeping" is straightforward and possesses a simple structure, with lines such as "Layin' on my back, In the newly mown grass, Rain is falling on me."
Critical Reception
Though not as well-known as some of The Who's other songs, "Love Ain't for Keeping" has often been praised for its heartwarming lyrics and stirring melody.

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    A Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler
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