"As the Years Go Passing By" is a blues song originally written and recorded by Albert King in 1961. Eric Burdon & The Animals covered the song in 1968, adding their own interpretation and style to it. The lyrics reflect a sense of desperation and heartbreak as the narrator realizes that there is nothing they can do to prevent their loved one from leaving them. Despite their efforts to give everything they own and express their love, it seems futile as their partner chooses to walk away. However, despite the pain, the narrator acknowledges that their love will continue to follow their partner over time. They understand that as the years pass, their love may still linger and impact their former partner's life. The repetition of the lines "Yeah, there is nothing I can do, If you leave me here to cry" emphasizes the helplessness and vulnerability felt by the narrator. It portrays the emotional turmoil experienced when faced with the reality of losing someone they deeply care about. In the end, the narrator resigns themselves to the fact that they have no control over the situation and leaves the decision up to their partner while bidding a bittersweet goodbye. The last line, "As the years go passing by," suggests that regardless of the outcome, time will continue to pass, and the effects of their love will endure. Overall, "As the Years Go Passing By" delves into themes of love, loss, and the passage of time, capturing the emotional journey of a person grappling with the pain of a broken relationship.
