The Future Of The Future

Everything But The Girl's song 'The Future Of The Future' delves into the complex relationship between past, present, and future. The lyrics suggest that the future is inextricably linked to the past, with time moving both slowly and quickly. This duality is captured in the lines 'The future of the future will still contain the past / Time goes slow and time goes fast.' The song reflects on how memories and past experiences shape our present and future, creating a cyclical nature of time where the past continually influences what is to come.

The recurring phrase 'It's so bright tonight' serves as a metaphor for clarity and realization. The brightness of the night could symbolize moments of epiphany or understanding, where the singer sees the world and their life with newfound clarity. The mention of cars and lights further emphasizes the modern, fast-paced world we live in, where moments of reflection are often fleeting. The song's chorus, with its repetitive nature, underscores the idea that these moments of clarity are both rare and significant.

The lyrics also touch on the theme of nostalgia and the desire to return to 'the old days.' However, the singer acknowledges that the past wasn't as perfect as it might seem in hindsight, as indicated by the line 'Well I thought about the old days / They're go bad, like they did then.' This realization leads to a sense of resignation and acceptance that the past cannot be changed, and the future will inevitably carry traces of it. The song concludes with a sense of uncertainty and introspection, questioning what actions will be taken moving forward, encapsulated in the repeated line 'What ya gonna do about me now?'