Reason Or Rhyme

Bryan Ferry's 'Reason Or Rhyme' is a deeply emotional and reflective song that delves into themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. The lyrics paint a picture of a person grappling with the loneliness that comes with age, seeking solace in the memories of a past love. The phrase 'tender tears in the evening of your years' poignantly captures the sorrow and nostalgia that often accompany the later stages of life. This line sets the tone for the rest of the song, which is filled with a sense of longing and melancholy.

The song's imagery is rich and evocative, with references to celestial bodies like the sun, moon, and stars, which 'bow down to you whenever you pass.' This metaphor elevates the subject of the song to a celestial level, suggesting that their presence has a profound impact on the world around them. The mention of 'an emerald ring, a photograph' and 'the look in your eyes, the brush of your cheek' highlights the small, intimate moments that hold significant emotional weight. These details emphasize the importance of personal connections and memories in the face of life's inevitable changes.

The recurring line 'No reason or rhyme, just a dance to the music of time' encapsulates the song's central theme. It suggests that life is a series of unpredictable events, and love, in particular, doesn't always follow a logical pattern. Instead, it is a dance, a fluid and ever-changing experience that we navigate without always understanding why things happen the way they do. This perspective adds a layer of acceptance and resignation to the song, acknowledging that some aspects of life and love are beyond our control and comprehension.