What Once Was

The song 'What Once Was' by Her's is a poignant reflection on change, loss, and the yearning for the past. The lyrics suggest a sense of inevitability about a shift in a relationship or circumstance, with the narrator acknowledging an internal awareness ('I guess I knew this would happen to you') but also a reluctance to accept the truth. The song captures the emotional turmoil of returning to a familiar place or state of mind ('I'm heading back inside to sit at home with you'), which is now tinged with the sadness of what has been lost or altered.

The second verse introduces the reactions of friends and the expectations of society ('My friends put on their bravest face...Keep your mouth zipped, son'), indicating that there is a shared understanding of the situation, but also a pressure to remain stoic. This societal pressure contrasts with the personal and vulnerable nature of the narrator's experience. The song delves into the theme of longing for connection ('I was at the point where all I really wanted was someone'), highlighting the universal human desire for companionship and the pain of its absence.

The bridge of the song shifts to a more intimate conversation, asking for personal details ('Tell me all the important stuff') and expressing a fear of being left alone ('Please don't let go when you've had enough'). This plea for closeness and the fear of abandonment underscore the central theme of the song: a deep-seated nostalgia for 'what once was' and the struggle to come to terms with the present.