☝️ Key Points
- The song is about longing for a lost love and the desire to win back that person.
- The question of the meaning of relationships and identity is raised.
- There is a metaphor of apple pie that suggests the relationship can improve if enough time and attention is invested.
- The lyrics end with the statement that the protagonist will feel great pain if they don't get the loved one back.
- The song expresses the deep longing and pain felt by the protagonist when they don't get their loved one back.
Interpretation
The lyrics of the song 'If I Don't Get You (Back Again)' by
Gilbert O'Sullivan are about longing for a lost love and the desire to win back that person. The protagonist describes how he used to look at the stars to overcome his sad days. But now those days are gone and he doesn't feel the same if he doesn't get the person he loves back.
The lyrics also raise the question of the meaning of relationships and identity. The singer wonders who he is and who the other person is, and if there is more beneath the surface than meets the eye. He doubts his mental health and wonders why this relationship is so important to him.
There is also a metaphor of apple pie that can be a little sour, but may get better with time. This suggests that the protagonist still hopes that the relationship can improve if enough time and attention are invested.
The lyrics end with the statement that the protagonist has given everything, including his best times (autumn and spring), and that he will feel great pain if he doesn't get that person back.
Overall, the lyrics express the deep longing and pain that the protagonist feels if he doesn't get his beloved back. It's about the pursuit of love and the hope that this love can be restored.