Yesterday

The song begins with a steep fall into despair. The opening lyrics 'Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away' transport the listener to a time of contrasts where the past is depicted as idyllic in comparison to a grim present. This opening taps into a universal feeling of nostalgia, the bittersweet reminiscing of better times now out of reach. The phrase ‘I believe in yesterday’ isn't just a wistful chorus; it's a lifeline to which the narrator clings.

As the song progresses to the verse 'Suddenly, I'm not half the man I used to be,' we're confronted with the personal impact of the loss. It's as if the narrator's sense of self-worth and identity has been halved. The 'shadow hanging over me' evokes a pervasive sense of gloom that's sudden and all-encompassing. The use of the word 'suddenly' underscores the shock and disorientation that accompanies the fallout of a once steadfast love.

The bridge of the song introduces a haunting question 'Why she had to go, I don't know, she wouldn't say.' This mystery is a source of torment for the narrator, as the lack of closure denies any semblance of peace. The confession 'I said something wrong, now I long for yesterday' hints at regret, a self-blame that may or may not be founded in truth but tortures the narrator nonetheless.

In the repetition of the verse, we're reminded of the simplicity and ease that love once held for the narrator. Love was a 'game to play', an activity filled with light-heartedness and joy. The need for a 'place to hide away' is a powerful image of withdrawal, a desperate search for sanctuary from the pain of the present. Concluding with the outro, the instrumental humming emphasizes the speechlessness of sorrow, a wordless grief that lingers even when the lyrics have come to an end.