The meaning of the lyrics of the song "New Year's Day" by the artist "Zeraphine"

The song "New Year's Day" by the German band Zeraphine is a complex interplay of personal and societal themes, hope, and disillusionment.

The first verse contrasts the peaceful, almost idyllic description of New Year's Eve ("All is calm on New Year's Day, The world is dawning white") with the protagonist's deep personal desire to be with their loved one ("I want to be with you, To be with you day and night").

However, the second verse shatters this idyllic picture. The phrase "Nothing changes on New Year's Day" takes on a bitter connotation. The world may be covered in white snow, symbolizing purity and a new beginning, but nothing changes in the protagonist's relationship. They are stuck in a situation where their desire to be with their loved one remains unfulfilled.

The third verse takes us to a new level – the societal one. Under a "blood-red sky", a symbol of conflict and violence, a crowd gathers "in black and white", possibly representing a divided society unable to see nuances. "The hands of the chosen are intertwined" – a hint at those in power who may be the cause of the conflict. The newspapers, manipulating information, convince people of their "truth".

Despite this, there is a glimmer of hope in the protagonist ("And we can make it through") that even a society torn apart ("Though we are torn in two") is capable of uniting ("We can be as one").

The fourth verse is a call for a new beginning ("I... I will start again"). The protagonist may be addressing themselves, finding the strength to fight for their happiness and a better world.

The fifth verse, short and emotional, emphasizes the importance of the moment ("Oh... Maybe it's time"). Perhaps today is the day everything can change.

The sixth verse returns us to the theme of war and the lies imposed by the powerful ("They tell us it's a golden age, And gold is the reason for the wars we wage"). The protagonist's desire to be with their loved one clashes with the harsh reality of a world dominated by violence and injustice.

The song's ending sounds pessimistic. Despite hopes and promises of change, "nothing changes on New Year's Day." The world remains the same, full of conflict and disappointment.