Record: Non-Secure Connection (album) .. 2020
Anything Can Happen features: Bruce Hornsby (piano, electric sitar, vocals); Leon Russell (vocals); Rob Moose (string arrangement, violin, viola).
From Bruce Hornsby on Apple Music:
“I didn’t write the lyrics – Leon Russell, one of my heroes, did. We wrote this song together in the early ’90s and it was the title cut from the record that we made (1992’s Anything Can Happen) that I helped him produce for Virgin Records. It started when he asked me to write a Barry White track for him, so the music here is my version of Barry White, with those nice jazzy chords. He had written the words and he asked me to select some for him out of this lyric notebook. I selected this one and he sang it, and his performance was amazing. In the end, I thought it was the best song on the record, and I’ve always wanted to recut it. I finally got around to doing that here, complete with electric sitar styling. Leon’s voice from the original rough mix that I have is wired in a very low level in the first part of the song. And then he emerges, comes into the light, and he sings with me and we’re singing in harmony together. It’s an homage to a guy that—along with Elton John—inspired me to get into playing the piano.”
Anything Can Happen meaning
*Anything Can Happen* explores themes of optimism, love, and the unpredictable nature of life. The song touches on how relationships and personal challenges can evolve in surprising ways, often unexpectedly. The lyrics convey a message of hope, resilience, and the belief that no matter how difficult things may seem, positive change is always possible. Bruce Hornsby weaves together a personal narrative that can also be interpreted as universal—about perseverance through adversity and the power of love and connection.
Interpretation of the lyrics
First verse
“Oh, little darlin’, I know you’ve been down-hearted inside a bad dream
Say you just can’t seem to get started
Can’t be as bad as it seems”
In this opening, the narrator speaks directly to someone struggling with feelings of despair or frustration. The use of “down-hearted inside a bad dream” conveys a sense of being stuck in a difficult or confusing situation. However, Bruce’s reassurance (“Can’t be as bad as it seems”) reflects his belief that there is always hope and a way out of the darkness.
Second verse
“Hey, listen
Girl, I’m watching you
I can come up with the ending
The middle, beginning and end
I’ll follow you all the way there and back again”
This verse highlights the speaker’s supportive role in the listener’s life. The phrase “I’ll follow you all the way there and back again” suggests loyalty and a deep bond. He offers to be there for every step of the journey—whether it’s overcoming hardship or enjoying success—expressing unwavering dedication.
Chorus
“Anything can happen right here and now
From the very bottom to the highest cloud
Just keep believing and loving strong
‘Cause anything can happen”
The chorus is the heart of the song’s message: anything is possible. The contrast between “the very bottom” and “the highest cloud” symbolises life’s extreme highs and lows. By urging the listener to “keep believing and loving strong,” Bruce suggests that faith and love can be the driving forces behind overcoming adversity. The repetition of “anything can happen” emphasises the unpredictability of life and the power of persistence.
Bridge
“Keep me on track, darlin’
Help me get back, throw me a line
When I’m crazy”
Here, Bruce turns the focus toward himself, acknowledging that even he needs support at times. “Throw me a line” is a metaphor for seeking help or guidance when feeling lost. This moment of vulnerability adds depth to the relationship depicted in the song, showing that both individuals need each other’s help to navigate life’s ups and downs.
Metaphors and deeper meanings
“From the very bottom to the highest cloud” symbolises life’s unpredictability, portraying that things can go from being incredibly difficult to overwhelmingly positive in an instant.
The phrase “help me get back, throw me a line” is reminiscent of lifelines in both a literal and metaphorical sense. It evokes images of someone being saved or supported during hard times, and how important those connections can be when life becomes overwhelming.
The line “Just let me make good romance, let me wear the pants and you wear nothing” adds a playful and intimate tone to the song, reinforcing the connection between the two individuals.
Final verse
“There’s just one thing I want to say before I go
There’s always somebody out there
In a darker place, no more tears to cry
No more time to waste
Somebody outside the reach of helping hands
Caught inside the storm of passing chance”
In the final verse, the song’s perspective is broadened beyond the personal relationship to the wider world. He reflects on how many people are in more difficult situations, “in a darker place,” where they may feel like they have no hope or support. This awareness of others’ suffering adds an element of compassion to the song and serves as a reminder to appreciate what we have while recognising the struggles of others.
*Anything Can Happen* is a song filled with hope, resilience, and support in the face of life’s unpredictability. Its message is that, no matter how difficult circumstances may become, love, connection, and perseverance can help us through. It’s a reminder to keep faith in the future, because anything is possible—even when the odds seem overwhelming.