The song “As” was written and sung by Stevie Wonder, an American singer and musician. It’s from his album called “Songs in the Key of Life,” which was released in 1976. The title “As” came from the first word in the lyrics.
In the song, Stevie explores enduring force of love, which has the ability to transcend time and space. The lyrics remind us of the strength and resilience we can discover when we open our hearts to one another.
In this article, we’ll analyze the meaning behind the lyrics.
Table of Contents
“As” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
As around the sun, the earth knows she’s revolving
And the rosebuds know to bloom in early May
Just as hate knows love’s the cure
You can rest your mind assure
That I’ll be loving you always
As now can’t reveal the mystery of tomorrow
But in passing, will grow older every day
Just as all is born is new
Do know what I say is true
That I’ll be loving you always
In verse 1, the singer talks about the enduring nature of love and the certainty of his affection. He compares love to the Earth’s rotation and the blooming of roses in May, emphasizing that just as these things are constant, so is his love.
Stevie Wonder also mentions that hate knows that love can heal, indicating that love has the power to overcome negativity. He assures that his love will always be there, offering comfort and assurance to the listener.
[Refrain]
Until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky (Always)
Until the ocean covers every mountain high (Always)
Until the dolphin flies and parrots live at sea (Always)
Until we dream of life and life becomes a dream
The refrain repeats the word “always” and describes various fantastical scenarios. It emphasizes the idea that the singer’s love is unending and will persist under impossible circumstances.
For example, it mentions the rainbow burning stars in the sky, the ocean covering mountains, dolphins flying, and parrots living at sea. These scenarios are symbolic, highlighting the enduring nature of love, even in situations that seem impossible.
The refrain continues to express the idea that love remains constant, whether it’s day or night, trees and seas taking flight, or even when mathematical calculations don’t make sense.
[Verse 2]
Did you know that true love asks for nothing?
Her acceptance is the way we pay
Did you know that life has given love a guarantee
To last through forever and another day?
Just as time knew to move on since the beginning
And the seasons know exactly when to change
Just as kindness knows no shame
Know through all your joy and pain
That I’ll be loving you always
As today, I know I’m living, but tomorrow
Could make me the past, but that, I mustn’t fear
For I’ll know deep in my mind
The love of me I’ve left behind
‘Cause I’ll be loving you always
Verse 2 explores the concept of true love and its selfless nature. The lyrics state that genuine love doesn’t expect anything in return; it’s accepting and doesn’t demand repayment.
The verse goes on to emphasize that life has given love a guarantee to last forever and beyond. It compares love’s enduring quality to the passage of time and the changing of seasons, highlighting its constancy.
Stevie Wonder mentions that even though today he’s alive, tomorrow might make him part of the past. Despite this uncertainty, he expresses his unwavering love, reassuring that it will persist deep in his mind.
[Refrain]
Until the day is night and night becomes the day (Always)
Until the trees and seas just up and fly away (Always)
Until the day that eight times eight times eight is four (Always)
Until the day that is the day that are no more (Did you know you’re loved by somebody?)
Until the day the earth starts turning right to left (Always)
Until the earth just for the sun denies itself (I’ll be loving you forever)
Until dear Mother Nature says her work is through (Always)
Until the day that you are me and I am you (Always)
Until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky (Always)
Until the ocean covers every mountain high (Always)
The second refrain repeats the word “always” and continues to describe fantastical scenarios. These scenarios symbolize the everlasting nature of love and its ability to persist despite challenging circumstances.
For instance, it mentions the day turning into night and vice versa, trees and seas taking flight, and mathematical impossibilities like eight times eight times eight equaling four. These examples are used metaphorically to represent the enduring quality of love.
The refrain also suggests that love will endure until the Earth changes its rotation and denies the sun or until Mother Nature declares her work is finished. It even alludes to a day when “you are me and I am you,” signifying an ultimate unity in love.
[Bridge]
We all know sometimes life’s hates and troubles
Can make you wish you were born in another time and space
But you can bet your life times that and twice its double
That God knew exactly where he wanted you to be placed
So make sure when you say you’re in it, but not of it
You’re not helping to make this earth a place sometimes called Hell
Change your words into truth and then change that truth into love
And maybe our children’s grandchildren
And their great-grandchildren will tell
I’ll be loving you
The bridge addresses life’s challenges and how they might make someone wish they were in a different time or place. It acknowledges that life can be difficult at times.
However, the bridge emphasizes the importance of using positive words and turning them into truth. It encourages changing that truth into love. The bridge also suggests that if individuals take these positive actions, it can have a positive impact on future generations, even the children’s children and their great-grandchildren.
[Refrain]
Until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky (Loving you)
Until the ocean covers every mountain high (Loving you)
Until the dolphin flies and parrots live at sea (Loving you)
Until we dream of life and life becomes a dream (Be loving you)
Until the day is night and night becomes the day (Loving you)
Until the trees and seas just up and fly away (Loving you)
Until the day that eight times eight times eight is four (Loving you)
Until the day that is the day that are no more (Loving you)
Until the day the earth starts turning right to left (Be loving you)
Until the earth just for the sun denies itself (Loving you)
Until dear Mother Nature says her work is through (Loving you)
Until the day that you are me and I am you (Now ain’t that loving you?)
Until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky (Ain’t that loving you?)
Until the ocean covers every mountain high (And I’ve got to say always)
Until the dolphin flies and parrots live at sea (Always)
Until we dream of life and life becomes a dream (Always)
Until the day is night and night becomes the day (Always)
Until the trees and seas just up and fly away (Always)
Until the day that eight times eight times eight is four
Until the day that is the day that are no more (Always)
Until the day the earth starts turning right to left
Until the earth just for the sun denies itself (Always)
Until dear Mother Nature says her work is through
Until the day that you are me and I am you
Until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky
Until the ocean covers every mountain high
Until the dolphin flies and parrots live at sea
Until we dream of life and life becomes a dream
Until the day is night and night becomes the day
Until the trees and seas just up and fly away
Until the day that eight times eight times eight is four
Until the day that is the day that are no more
Until the day the earth starts turning right to left
Until the earth just for the sun denies itself
Until dear Mother Nature says her work is through
Until the day that you are me and I am you
The third refrain repeats the word “always” and continues to describe various scenarios and impossibilities. These scenarios symbolize the enduring and unchanging nature of love, regardless of how challenging or unlikely the circumstances may be.
In this refrain, it mentions events like the day becoming night and night becoming day, trees and seas flying away, and even the Earth turning in a way that contradicts its usual rotation. These examples emphasize that love remains constant and unyielding.
The refrain also suggests that love will persist until the Earth goes against itself for the sun or until Mother Nature completes her work. It even envisions a day when “you are me and I am you,” symbolizing the ultimate unity and oneness that love can bring.
Deeper Meaning Behind Stevie Wonder’s “As”
“As” is a powerful testament to the transcendence of love, inspired by Stevie Wonder’s own experience in Ghana. Wonder was injured in a car accident on August 6, 1973, and considered quitting the music industry as a result.
He briefly relocated to Ghana, where he dedicated himself to humanitarian efforts, helping underprivileged children and gaining a new perspective on life. His love for humanity and the world blossomed, giving birth to “As” as a beautiful expression of this profound love.
The song suggests that the singer’s love for his partner will never diminish. He expresses that he will love her “always,” as the song’s main lyric, even if physically impossible things come true.
These impossible feats include:
- Rainbows setting stars in the sky on fire.
- Oceans covering the tops of mountains.
- Dolphins flying.
- Parrots living in the sea.
- Trees and seas taking flight.
- The mathematical impossibility of 8×8×8 equaling 4.
- Dreams becoming reality and reality turning into dreams.
- Day becoming night and night becoming day.
- The Earth spinning from right to left.
- This day being the very last day.
- The Earth going against itself (for the Sun).
- Mother Nature saying her job is finished.
- And the idea of “until the day that you are me and I am you.”
On the surface, “As” can be seen as a lover’s serenade, a heartfelt declaration of unwavering devotion to his beloved. However, delving deeper into the song reveals a profound message: a celebration of the singer’s love for humanity itself.
The impossible feats Stevie sings of are not just exaggerations; they serve as a reminder that love, in all its forms, has the power to move mountains and reshape the world around us.
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