From the Levitate (album) .. 2009.
Here We Are Again features: Bruce Hornsby (piano, dulcimer, vocals, keyboards); J.V. Collier (bass); Sonny Emory (drums); J.T. Thomas (organ, keyboards).
Here We Are Again meaning
“Here We Are Again” by Bruce Hornsby explores themes of loss, memory, and the desire to reverse time. The song is written from the perspective of someone grieving the loss of a spouse and fantasising about time travel as a way to relive or alter the past. Bruce uses scientific and physics-related language, such as “closed time-like curves” and “vibrating strings,” to create a metaphor for this longing. The scientific terms reflect the protagonist’s wish to bend or manipulate time in order to reunite with their lost loved one.
Physics and time travel as metaphors
The song’s lyrics are filled with references to concepts from physics, particularly those related to time travel. Phrases like “seven times around the world in a single second” and “closed time-like curves” are metaphors for the protagonist’s emotional journey. These terms represent their desire to move beyond the linear flow of time and return to moments when they were with their spouse.
The idea of “slower time elapsing” and “moving radiation” suggests the protagonist’s perception of time has become distorted by grief. They imagine time slowing down or speeding up in an attempt to escape the present or relive the past. This imagery serves as a way to illustrate the overwhelming feeling of loss and the fantasy of undoing what has happened.
Closed time-like curves and their emotional significance
In physics, “closed time-like curves” refer to paths through spacetime that loop back on themselves, theoretically allowing time travel to the past. Bruce uses this concept to symbolise the protagonist’s wish to escape the forward progression of time and revisit moments with their spouse. This closed-off, circular experience of time reflects the emotional loop the protagonist finds themselves in—constantly revisiting memories and being unable to move on from the past.
The idea of “closed time-like curves” also suggests that the protagonist feels trapped in their grief. Despite their longing to return to the past, they are unable to break free from this emotional loop, reliving the loss over and over again.
Scientific language as a way to express grief
The narrator incorporates scientific terms like “dark matter,” “vibrating strings,” and “radiation” to create an unusual, almost fantastical backdrop for the emotional content of the song. These terms may seem abstract or “obtuse,” as Bruce himself has said, but they add a sense of depth and complexity to the protagonist’s experience of grief.
For example, “dark matter” refers to a type of matter that does not emit or interact with electromagnetic radiation, making it invisible. In the context of the song, this could represent the protagonist’s unseen or hidden emotions, as well as their inability to physically see or interact with their lost spouse. Similarly, “vibrating strings” is a reference to string theory, a concept in physics that explores the fundamental nature of reality. Here, it could symbolise the delicate and interconnected nature of memories and emotions.
Emotional undercurrents beneath scientific terms
Though the language of the song is rooted in scientific concepts, the emotional undercurrent is deeply human. The protagonist’s attempt to “cut through space” and race “past the speed of light” represents their desperation to be reunited with their spouse, transcending both time and space to undo the loss. The line “all that’s happened in the past erased” reflects the ultimate wish to reverse time, erasing the painful separation.
This blending of scientific and emotional language serves to highlight the extent of the protagonist’s grief—so overwhelming that they imagine bending the very fabric of the universe to change what has happened.
The cyclical nature of grief and memory
The refrain of the song, “And here we are again / And again and again,” reflects the cyclical nature of grief. The protagonist feels trapped in a loop, constantly revisiting the past and reliving memories of their spouse. This repetition mirrors the concept of closed time-like curves, where time folds back on itself, creating a sense of never-ending repetition.
This cyclical feeling is not just a reflection of the protagonist’s grief but also their longing to return to happier moments. Each time the refrain repeats, it underscores the unbreakable connection between the past and present—the protagonist is unable to escape the pull of memory.
A blend of science and emotion
“Here We Are Again” uses scientific language and metaphors to express the emotional complexity of grief, longing, and the desire to reverse time. The protagonist’s use of physics concepts like time travel and closed time-like curves reflects their wish to return to the past and reunite with their spouse.
Through this blending of scientific imagery and emotional content, Bruce paints a picture of someone who is trapped in a cycle of memory and loss, using their imagination and longing to bend the rules of the universe in search of solace. The song’s intricate use of physics terminology adds a unique layer to its exploration of grief, making it both enigmatic and emotionally resonant.