The meaning of the lyrics of the song "Local Memory" by the artist "Willie Nelson"

In Willie Nelson's song "Local Memory," the metaphor of "local memory" is used to describe the persistent, intrusive, and painful memories that haunt the lyrical hero and prevent him from finding peace.

The lyrics paint a picture of a quiet night: the lights go out at eleven, and the neighborhood falls silent. It's a time when the hero seeks peace and tries to sleep. However, peace proves unattainable, as the outer silence is replaced by inner turmoil - the "local memory" awakens.

The "sea of loneliness" that washes over the hero symbolizes the oppressive memories that keep him awake. The "local memory" is likened to a relentless machine, working tirelessly, blocking happiness and opening the door to loneliness. The hero is trapped in his own memories.

Despite the hero's attempts to fight these feelings, to pretend to be happy, at night, he is again alone with his "local memory." Prayers for sleep are powerless.

The metaphors of "cleaning the house of good news" and "a weepy record playing" illustrate the totality of the memories' power over the hero. He cannot control what surfaces in his mind and is forced to relive those painful feelings again and again. "Faithful memories" do not let him go, depriving him of sleep and hope for happiness.

The repetition of the phrase "And every night the local memory kicks in" at the end of the song emphasizes the cyclical nature and inevitability of the hero's suffering. He becomes a prisoner of his own memory, doomed to endless nights filled with longing and loneliness.