The meaning of the lyrics of the song "If Not Now When" by the artist "Turin Brakes"

Turin Brakes' "If Not Now When" delves into the themes of fleeting time and the importance of living in the present moment. The lyrics paint a picture of a narrator grappling with the complexities of relationships, the fear of the unknown future, and the yearning to appreciate the here and now.

The song opens with a melancholic tone, acknowledging the inevitability of parting and the temporary nature of white lies. The imagery of "demons inside" and "the underground" symbolizes inner turmoil and attempts to escape reality. The narrator constructs an illusory world to drown out the pain ("sounds of crying").

The past holds an allure of simplicity, yet the narrator recognizes the significance of the present. Time relentlessly transforms everything: youth fades, passion cools. Rhetorical questions about the transient nature of beauty and the inevitability of hardships emphasize life's ephemerality.

An encounter with a loved one evokes bittersweet emotions. The narrator sees her sadness, understands her weariness. They are both exhausted from chasing external expectations, their selfishness becoming a barrier to happiness.

The recurring chorus, "If not now, when?", is a passionate call to embrace the present. The longing for "the other side" and the desire to "taste your lips at night" symbolize the yearning for happiness and intimacy, attainable only in the here and now.

The closing lines offer a bittersweet realization. The narrator dreams of everlasting love but acknowledges time's relentless march. "Time will change it all," a recurring phrase throughout the song, becomes its poignant motif, reminding us of life's transience and the preciousness of each moment.