☝️ Key Points
- The song lyrics are about a person longing for past times and seeking financial security, a warm home, and good food.
- The text uses metaphorical language to express this longing, such as waiting for past times to achieve all these things.
- A recurring motif in the text is the idea of gray skies and tears, symbolizing the sadness and dissatisfaction of the current moment.
- The text expresses the need to let go of the past in order to move forward and fulfill one's dreams.
- The text ends with anticipation of the future and an invitation to remember the singer when he disappears.
Interpretation
The song lyrics "Yesterday Is Here" by
Tom Waits are about a person longing for past times. The lyrics describe the desire for financial security, a warm home, and good food. But instead of living in the here and now, the singer wishes to go back to the past.
The lyrics use metaphorical language to express this longing. For example, the singer says that one must wait for yesterday to achieve all these things. He also describes going to New York City and leaving someone behind who must wait until he returns.
A recurring motif in the lyrics is the imagery of gray skies and tears. This symbolizes the sadness and dissatisfaction associated with the current moment. The singer acknowledges that one must let go of the past to move forward and fulfill their dreams.
The final verse expresses anticipation for the future as the singer sets off. At the same time, he urges the listener to remember him when he disappears. The lyrics end again with the statement that one must wait for yesterday to find happiness.
Overall, the song lyrics "Yesterday Is Here" by Tom Waits express the longing for nostalgic times and show that one must let go of the past to fully live the present and future.