“Let Her Go” by Passenger is a poignant song that explores the themes of love, loss, and regret. The lyrics reflect on how we often realize the value of something only after it’s gone, using metaphors like needing light when it’s burning low and missing the sun when it snows.
The song tells the story of a heartbroken individual who comes to understand the depth of their love for someone only after letting them go. The repetition of “only know you love her when you let her go” underscores this bittersweet realization.
In this article, we’ll explore the message conveyed in the song’s lyrics.
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“Let Her Go” Lyrics Meaning
[Chorus]
Well, you only need the light when it’s burning low
Only miss the sun when it starts to snow
Only know you love her when you let her go
Only know you’ve been high when you’re feeling low
Only hate the road when you’re missing home
Only know you love her when you let her go
The chorus emphasizes how we often fail to appreciate what we have until it’s gone. It uses various metaphors to illustrate this point:
- Light is only valued when it’s fading
- The sun is missed only when winter comes
- Love is fully understood only after letting someone go
- Happiness is recognized in contrast to sadness
- Home is appreciated when away
These lines highlight our tendency to take things for granted and only realize their importance in their absence.
[Verse 1]
Staring at the bottom of your glass
Hoping one day you’ll make a dream last
But dreams come slow and they go so fast
You see her when you close your eyes
Maybe one day you’ll understand why
Everything you touch surely dies
This verse depicts a person in a state of reflection and longing. The imagery of staring at the bottom of a glass suggests contemplation, possibly while drinking. The lyrics express a desire for dreams to last, but acknowledge their fleeting nature. The memory of the lost love persists, appearing when eyes are closed. There’s a sense of confusion about why things ended, and a feeling that everything good seems to slip away.
[Verse 2]
Staring at the ceiling in the dark
Same old empty feeling in your heart
‘Cause love comes slow and it goes so fast
Well, you see her when you fall asleep
But never to touch and never to keep
‘Cause you loved her too much and you dived too deep
The second verse continues the theme of loneliness and loss. The imagery shifts to lying awake at night, feeling empty. Love is described as both slow to arrive and quick to depart. The lost love appears in dreams, but remains out of reach. The final lines suggest that perhaps the intensity of love itself led to its end – “you loved her too much and you dived too deep.”
[Post-Chorus] & [Outro]
And you let her go, oh, woah, mm, oh
And you let her go, oh, woah, uh, no
Well, you let her go
‘Cause you only need the light when it’s burning low
Only miss the sun when it starts to snow
Only know you love her when you let her go
Only know you’ve been high when you’re feeling low
Only hate the road when you’re missing home
Only know you love her when you let her go
And you let her go
These sections repeat the phrase “And you let her go,” emphasizing the central action and regret of the song. The repetition reinforces the sense of loss and the irreversibility of the decision to let the loved one go.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Let Her Go”
“Let Her Go” by Passenger is a poignant song that delves into the themes of love, loss, and self-discovery. At its core, the song explores the idea that we often do not appreciate what we have until it is gone. This is encapsulated in the lyrics, “Only know you love her when you let her go” and “Only miss the sun when it starts to snow”. These lines highlight the human tendency to take things for granted until they are absent, whether it be a relationship or something as simple as the warmth of the sun.
The song also touches on the concept of regret and realization. The protagonist reflects on a past relationship, realizing too late the value of what he had. This regret is underscored by lines like “You see her when you close your eyes / Maybe one day you’ll understand why / Everything you touch surely dies”. These lyrics suggest a sense of self-doubt and fear that the protagonist may not be good enough for others, leading to a pattern of loss and heartache. The repetition of “let her go” serves as a reminder of the pain and sacrifice that can come with loving someone deeply.
Furthermore, “Let Her Go” explores the idea of self-sacrifice as an act of love. The protagonist may feel that letting go is necessary for the other person’s well-being, even if it means personal heartache. This theme is intertwined with the broader message of appreciating what one has before it’s lost. The song encourages listeners to cherish relationships and experiences while they are present, as they can disappear quickly. The use of contrasting imagery, such as light and darkness, or warmth and cold, emphasizes the importance of balance and appreciation in life.
Musically, the song’s structure and repetition contribute to its emotional impact. The repetition of phrases starting with “only” creates a haunting melody that underscores the song’s themes of longing and regret. Overall, “Let Her Go” is a powerful reflection on love, loss, and the human condition, encouraging listeners to appreciate the present moment before it slips away.
Jacob Carter is a lyricist. He created the lyrics writing course to teach people how to analyze and write lyrics. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in English Literature, so he’s skilled at playing with words.
He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.