It Might As Well Be Spring

Frank Sinatra's song "It Might As Well Be Spring" captures the essence of longing and restlessness through its vivid and evocative lyrics. The song opens with the singer comparing himself to a willow in a windstorm and a puppet on a string, emphasizing his sense of unease and lack of control. This restlessness is likened to 'spring fever,' a term often used to describe a feeling of excitement and renewal that comes with the arrival of spring. However, the twist here is that it isn't actually spring, which adds a layer of irony and deepens the sense of yearning.

The lyrics further delve into the singer's emotional state, describing him as 'starry-eyed and vaguely discontented,' much like a nightingale without a song. This metaphor highlights a sense of incompleteness and a longing for something more. The singer wishes to be someone else, walking down a new street and hearing new words from a girl he has yet to meet. This desire for change and new experiences underscores the theme of restlessness and the search for fulfillment.

The song also uses imagery of nature to convey its themes. The singer mentions not having seen a crocus, rosebud, or robin, yet he feels 'gay in a melancholy way,' suggesting a complex mix of emotions. The juxtaposition of feeling happy and sad at the same time captures the bittersweet nature of longing. The refrain 'It might as well be spring' serves as a poignant reminder that the singer's emotional state is akin to the rejuvenating yet unsettling energy of spring, even though the season itself has not arrived.