Hearts

Marty Balin's song 'Hearts' is a poignant reflection on love, loss, and the enduring pain of separation. The lyrics convey a deep sense of longing and vulnerability, as the narrator reaches out to a lost love, questioning the state of their relationship and the possibility of a reunion. The repeated inquiries, 'Is everything all right?' and 'Is everything the same?' suggest a yearning for connection and an inability to move on from the past. The song captures the essence of heartache when love fades and the struggle to accept that sometimes, love doesn't last forever.

The chorus of 'Hearts' emphasizes the fragility of love and the emotional turmoil that comes with a breakup. The lines 'Hearts can break / And never mend together / Love can fade away' speak to the universal experience of a broken heart that feels irreparable. The imagery of hearts crying and love not staying forever paints a vivid picture of the sorrow that accompanies the end of a relationship. Balin's delivery of these lines imbues them with a sense of resignation and melancholy, underscoring the theme of love's impermanence.

The song also touches on the theme of regret, as the narrator reflects on 'all the words I never said and all the chances that I had to.' This introspection adds a layer of depth to the song, as it's not just about the pain of separation but also about the missed opportunities and unspoken feelings that haunt the narrator. The act of writing a song to express these emotions indicates a cathartic attempt to cope with the lingering attachment and to reach out, even if only through music, to the one who got away.