This year’s love had better last/
Heaven knows it’s high time.

In “This Year’s Love” David Gray expresses his weariness about the constant failings in his relationships. He seems to be looking for a lifetime partner and it is high time that this year’s love turns out to be the real deal. Every time it doesn’t work out he seems to get more bitter and it is harder to let the next one in. But here he is…falling in love again.

This time he seems to be fighting it a little harder though—because of the history of broken hearts. He doesn’t want another one. Gray brings a lot of baggage…he admits it. After all his protestations he finally relents simply saying “this year’s love had better last.” He is hopeful but not certain that this girl is going to be the one to break the pattern. It’s too early to tell.

The quiet simple piano and light strings help set the mood. This is a melancholy piece. The simplified arrangement allows us to hear the weariness in his voice as he debates trying again at finding a loving relationship. The melody is great but the line: “this year’s love” really makes the song. Gray conveys the whole meaning of the song in a unique title. It is likely there will be a next year’s love too.

This Year’s Love Lyrics

This year’s love had better last.
Heaven knows it’s high time,
I’ve been waiting on my own too long.

And when ya hold me like you do,
It feels so right oh now.
I start to forget how my heart gets torn,
When that hurt gets thrown.
Feeling like you can’t go on.

Turning circles and time again,
Cut like a knife oh now.
If ya love me got to know for sure.
‘Cause it takes something more this time
Than sweet, sweet lies oh now.
Before I open up my arms and fall,
Losing all control.
Every dream inside my soul.
When ya kiss me on that midnight street,
Sweep me off my feet.
Singing, “ain’t this life so sweet?”

This year’s love had better last,
This year’s love had better last.

‘Cause who’s to worry if our hearts get torn,
When that hurt gets thrown.
Don’t ya know this life goes on?
Won’t ya kiss me on that midnight street?
Sweep me off my feet,
Singing, “ain’t this life so sweet?”

This year’s love had better last,
This year’s love had better last.
This year’s love had better last,
This year’s love had better last.
This year’s love had better last,
Woah woah woah I yeah.
This year’s love had better last.

Songwriters: David Gray