Before I Knew You
Ben Platt
Eternal Love: A Journey Beyond Time
Ben Platt's song "Before I Knew You" is a heartfelt exploration of a love that transcends time and space. The lyrics convey a sense of destiny and preordained connection, suggesting that the singer has always been on a path leading to their beloved, even before they were consciously aware of it. This idea is beautifully encapsulated in lines like "I loved you long before I knew you," which imply that the bond between the two souls existed long before they physically met. The song speaks to the notion of a soulmate, someone who has always been a part of one's life in some intangible way, providing protection and hope even from a distance.
The lyrics are rich with metaphors and imagery that evoke a sense of timelessness and inevitability. Phrases like "universal stars align" and "message from the great divine" suggest a cosmic or spiritual element to their connection, as if their love was written in the stars. The recurring theme of seeing the beloved in the "sunlight" and hearing their "little whispers in a daydream" adds a dreamlike quality to the narrative, emphasizing the ethereal and almost magical nature of their relationship. This use of light and sound as metaphors for presence and guidance underscores the idea that love can be a guiding force, even when it is not yet fully realized.
Ben Platt's emotive delivery and the song's poignant lyrics create a powerful narrative about love's enduring and omnipresent nature. The song also touches on the idea of love as a grounding force, something that provides stability and comfort even in the absence of the loved one. The final lines, "I'll love you longer than I knew you," serve as a poignant reminder that true love is not confined by time; it is an eternal force that continues to grow and evolve, even beyond the physical presence of the beloved. This timeless message resonates deeply, making "Before I Knew You" a touching ode to the enduring power of love.