Start Again

Gabrielle Aplin's "Start Again" is a poignant exploration of personal transformation and the yearning for renewal. The song delves into the emotional landscape of someone who feels trapped by their past and the loneliness that accompanies it. The opening lines, "The surface is cracking / The lines on my face," suggest a sense of weariness and the visible marks of life's struggles. These lines reflect the courage that the narrator feels is lacking, as well as the beauty that is wasted in the process of enduring hardship.

The concept of "home" is presented as an elusive idea, devoid of time or place, symbolizing a lack of belonging or stability. The narrator's relationship with loneliness is complex, as they have "fallen in and out of love" with it, indicating a cycle of isolation and introspection. The chorus, "And I can't wait to start again," is a powerful declaration of hope and the desire to embrace change. It suggests that even when darkness and the unknown become familiar, there is an inherent drive to seek a fresh start.

Aplin's lyrics also touch on the theme of self-discovery and the struggle to find answers within oneself. The "voice of a thousand whispers" and "promises to the wounded love" highlight the internal conflict and the search for meaning. The imagery of smoke filling the lungs and the uncertainty of one's purpose further emphasize the disorientation and need for renewal. Ultimately, "Start Again" is a testament to resilience and the human spirit's capacity to embrace new beginnings, even when faced with the unknown and the remnants of past pain.