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WEBMISTRESS speculates:
While this was co-written and therefore one cannot determine which were Lindsey's words and which weren't, I think this song speaks towards Lindsey's relationship with Stevie, post-Dance. Lindsey is being conciliatory. He's admitting past wrongs, admitting that he went a little insane in the past. Stevie and their relationship is so complicated that even all these years later, it's not fully understandable to him, nor is she. He understands that while Stevie wronged him and even now lies to him, she didn't do it maliciously. They both just keep searching and doing the best they can, with all of their flaws. And with that realization and the resultant freedom from impossible standards, Lindsey is able to declare that he will not give up on the relationship.
ANANIAH speculates:
What this song looks like to me is a guy who is contrasting relationships and deciding what the cost was. The first stanza:
Oh, you and I
We sure can dream
Of conversations
That might have been
I know that I
Treat you unkind
That long ago
I lost my mindThis seems to be referring to being angry and upset at Kristen’s pregnancy and how she must have resented him for being angry and how she wished he had been happy about the pregnancy. She, like most new mothers, have a vision of their men being excited for their upcoming children.
And even after
All these years
Oh, I can't even
See you clear
I know that you
Must lie sometimes
To hide the truth
You're trying to findThis statement seems to be saying that he still filters his relationships through the negative fears and expectations he had from Stevie, Carol Ann, and others. He is saying that he cannot see Kristen’s true character sometimes because she is clouded by his past relationships. He is also acknowledging that she has to convince herself that he is really dealing with her, when he probably treats Kristen as though she’s guilty of the things he is expecting her to do because his other women had hurt him so badly. She must “lie” to herself to keep sane when dealing with LB. She is trying to find out what is bothering him, but the subject of his past relationships is probably so touchy that she needs to validate his feelings and take some of the responsibility for his feelings on herself, even though she's probably not guilty of the same things.
Oh, I won't shut us down
No, I will stay around
As long as I can
As long as I canTraditionally, LB has broken relationships that he knew weren’t working, but he is saying that he will keep this one going until he can’t go anymore. He is saying despite his problems, he will not leave.
Even after
All these years
I can't even
See you clear
A child was born
Another dies
And every life has its priceThis verse is filtering his feelings for Kristen through his feelings for other women. He is contrasting the bringing of life and death. Stevie had an abortion in ’76 or ’77 and I believe the baby was his. I think he is saying that with Stevie, she brought death to his children. However, Kristen gave birth to his children. Also, the last line he is pointing out an irony that the life he has now with Kristen and his kids came at the price of a life with Stevie, who wouldn't give him children. He probably was ready to get back with Stevie during the Dance and gave up on her to be with Kristen and raise his children in his new life with her.
No, I won't shut us down
No, I will stay around
As long as I can
As long as I can
No, I won't shut us down
No, I will stay around
As long as I can
As long as I can
As long as I can
As long as I canAgain, I think he is promising that he is staying. I'm sure during SYW, that he was tempted to leave Kristen for Stevie and he is assuring Kristen that he won't.