Sorrow About To Fall

Electric Light Orchestra's (ELO) song "Sorrow About To Fall" paints a vivid picture of a city in a state of eerie silence and abandonment. The opening lines set the stage with a haunting image of a deserted cityscape, where everyone has moved to higher ground, suggesting a sense of escape or evacuation. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for a significant change or disaster that has driven people away, leaving behind a shadow that lingers overhead. The shadow represents the looming sorrow and the inevitable changes that are beginning to manifest in the environment and the lives of those who remain.

The chorus, repeating the phrase "There's a sorrow about to fall," emphasizes the impending sense of doom and melancholy. This sorrow is not just a personal feeling but a collective experience, affecting everyone in the city. The new sound in the wires and the ears to the ground suggest a heightened awareness and anticipation of this sorrowful event. The lyrics convey a sense of loss and nostalgia for what once was, as everything that was familiar has slowly turned around, indicating a profound transformation that is difficult to accept.

The song also touches on the theme of seasons changing, which can be seen as a metaphor for the passage of time and the inevitability of change. The rain symbolizes the sorrow that has started to fall, altering the landscape and the lives of the people. The mention of people in photographs who had to run away to somewhere beyond the setting sun adds a poignant touch, highlighting the displacement and the search for a new beginning. ELO's melancholic melody and reflective lyrics capture the essence of sorrow and the human experience of coping with change and loss, making "Sorrow About To Fall" a deeply resonant and evocative song.