Look At The Time
Kansas
The Fleeting Nature of Time and Self-Discovery
Kansas' song "Look At The Time" delves into the ephemeral nature of time and the quest for self-discovery. The lyrics poignantly capture the sensation of time slipping away unnoticed, as the singer reflects on familiar faces and experiences that seem to fade into the background. This sense of fleeting moments is underscored by the recurring question, "Where do they go?" which suggests a longing to grasp the essence of these passing experiences and the people who inhabit them.
The song also explores the evolving nature of emotions and the fear of the unknown. The line "Year after year, I get used to feelings that were not there before" speaks to the inevitability of change and the adaptation required to navigate new emotional landscapes. The mention of setting off to find oneself on a distant shore symbolizes the journey of self-discovery, a theme that resonates with listeners who have ever felt the need to explore their own identities and purposes.
In the chorus, the imagery of the spotlight and twilight evokes a sense of fading glory and the bittersweet passage of time. The juxtaposition of drifting and moving, testing and proving, highlights the constant push and pull of life's challenges and choices. The song's closing lines, "Look at these days, flyin' by so fast it makes my head turn around," encapsulate the dizzying speed at which life progresses, making it difficult to find stability and meaning. Ultimately, "Look At The Time" is a reflective piece that encourages listeners to cherish the present and remain mindful of their personal journeys, even as time continues to march on.