Her’s “What Once Was” is a poignant indie pop song that encapsulates themes of nostalgia, loss, and the emotional complexities of relationships. Released in 2016 as part of their compilation album Songs of Her’s, the track reflects a deep yearning for the past and the struggles of coming to terms with change.
The lyrics convey a sense of inevitability regarding loss, with the narrator grappling with feelings of longing and vulnerability.
In this article, we’ll explore the message conveyed in the song’s lyrics.
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“What Once Was” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
I guess I knew this would happen to you
Inside I did, but I refused to know the truth
I’m headin’ back inside to sit at home with you
I think I know what’s wrong
My friends put on their bravest face
Their tails between their legs, something’s out of place
I bet their mothers let them know what I’m about to face
Keep your mouth zipped, son
The opening lines convey a sense of inevitability regarding change and loss. The narrator acknowledges an internal awareness of what is happening but chooses to ignore it. This denial reflects a common human tendency to avoid confronting painful truths.
The line about heading back inside to sit at home suggests a return to familiarity, perhaps indicating a desire to reconnect with a loved one amidst turmoil.
The mention of friends putting on a brave face while feeling out of place highlights the societal pressure to appear strong in the face of adversity.
The phrase “Keep your mouth zipped, son” implies a cultural expectation to suppress emotions, suggesting that vulnerability is often hidden behind façades.
[Verse 2]
Tell me all the important stuff
What’s your favourite colour, what makes you so tough?
Please don’t let go when you’ve had enough
I’m on my knees
In this verse, the narrator seeks to connect with someone important, asking for seemingly trivial details about their life, such as favorite colors and sources of strength. This request underscores a desperate need for intimacy and reassurance, particularly in times of distress.
The plea “please don’t let go when you’ve had enough” reveals the narrator’s fear of abandonment and the fragility of their emotional state, as they find themselves “on my knees,” a position of vulnerability and supplication.
[Chorus]
Baby, I’ve been there before
I was at the point where all I really wanted was someone
And now I’m still hangin’ on
I was at the end of every tether waiting for what once was
The chorus encapsulates the overarching theme of longing and the struggle to move on from past experiences. The line “Baby, I’ve been there before” suggests familiarity with heartbreak and disappointment.
The phrase “waiting for what once was” evokes a deep yearning for a past relationship or time that was once fulfilling but is now lost. This reflects a universal sentiment of nostalgia, where the past is idealized, and the present feels inadequate in comparison.
[Outro]
Waitin’ for my love
Waitin’ for
The repetition of “Waitin’ for my love” in the outro reinforces the theme of longing and the desire for reconnection. It emphasizes the emotional weight of waiting for something or someone that may never return, encapsulating the bittersweet nature of memories.
This ending leaves listeners with a sense of unresolved yearning, highlighting the difficulty of letting go and the enduring impact of love lost.
Deeper Meaning Behind “What Once Was”
“What Once Was” reflects a deep yearning for a previous relationship or time that was fulfilling. The narrator expresses a desire to reconnect with a lost love, singing, “Please don’t let go when you’ve had enough/ I’m on my knees.”
The opening lines “I think I know what’s wrong/ My friends put on their bravest face” suggest an awareness of inevitable change, yet the singer chooses to ignore this truth.
Throughout the lyrics, the singer seeks intimacy and reassurance from someone important. The plea for connection emphasizes the fragility of relationships and the fear of abandonment.
The phrase “What Once Was” inherently suggests a reflection on the past. It reflects the emotional weight of recognizing that something meaningful is no longer present, highlighting the difficulty of accepting loss.
The band has described “What Once Was” as a “sad tune” that references the passing of a family member. This personal connection adds depth to the lyrics, as they capture the feelings of grief and longing associated with losing someone close.
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.