The Everly Brothers' song "Sweet Memories" portrays a person who is immersed in deep emotional pain and longing. The lyrics describe how their world is like a dark and impenetrable river, symbolizing their sorrow. The past continuously haunts their nights, preventing them from finding peaceful sleep. Throughout their days, the protagonist experiences emptiness, with only brief moments of solace found in memories of a past lover. These memories are described as sweet, implying that they bring joy and comfort amidst the otherwise vast emptiness. In the song, it is revealed that the person's love interest has passed away or left them. The mention of the person slipping into their dreams and turning on lights in different rooms implies a ghostly presence. The laughter of the departed lover is compared to water flowing from a river to the sea, indicating its omnipresence and ability to engulf the person in their sadness. Overall, "Sweet Memories" showcases the person's profound grief and their longing to hold onto fleeting moments of happiness found in memories of their lost love. The song evokes a sense of melancholy and the ongoing struggle to find solace in the face of overwhelming sadness.