October

a-ha's song "October" paints a vivid picture of loneliness and longing set against the backdrop of a sleepless, English town. The lyrics open with the imagery of dawn breaking over a town colored gray, immediately setting a melancholic tone. The singer roams the streets alone, feeling the absence of a loved one as summer fades away. This seasonal transition from summer to autumn symbolizes a shift from warmth and light to cold and darkness, mirroring the emotional state of the narrator.

The recurring line, "down in the city at nights, the cold wind blows," emphasizes the harsh, isolating environment the narrator finds themselves in. The cold wind serves as a metaphor for the emotional chill of loneliness. The narrator's thoughts drift to their absent partner, who is likely asleep, highlighting the time difference and physical separation. This contrast between the narrator's wakefulness and their partner's sleep further underscores the sense of isolation.

The lyrics also touch on the theme of coping with loneliness. The narrator recalls being told not to be lonely and reassures themselves that loneliness can be ignored. However, the repetition of missing their partner "down in the city" suggests that this is easier said than done. The song captures the struggle of dealing with solitude and the persistent ache of missing someone dear. a-ha's melancholic melody and poignant lyrics combine to create a hauntingly beautiful exploration of love, loss, and the passage of time.