Heartaches

Al Bowlly's song 'Heartaches' is a poignant reflection on the pain of lost love and the lingering attachment to a past relationship. The lyrics convey a deep sense of sorrow and resignation, as the speaker grapples with the emotional aftermath of a breakup. The repeated mention of 'heartaches' emphasizes the continuous and profound impact that the end of the relationship has had on the speaker's emotional state. The sacredness of the kiss mentioned in the song suggests a deep level of intimacy and connection that was once shared, now reduced to a 'burning memory' that continues to haunt the speaker.

The rhetorical question 'What does it matter how my heart breaks?' reveals a sense of futility and helplessness. It implies that regardless of the intensity of the speaker's pain, life goes on, and their suffering is ultimately inconsequential to the world at large. This line also suggests a struggle to move on, as the speaker acknowledges the expectation to be happy with someone new, yet admits to being unable to do so because of the enduring love for the person who caused the heartache.

Al Bowlly's musical style, often associated with the jazz and dance band music of the 1930s, adds a layer of nostalgia to the song. The smooth, melancholic melody complements the theme of yearning for a lost love. 'Heartaches' resonates with anyone who has experienced the bittersweet nature of remembering a past love while trying to heal from the pain it left behind. The song captures the universal experience of heartbreak and the difficulty of moving on from a deeply cherished relationship.