Once

Parcels' song 'Once' delves into the transient nature of life, love, and the human experience. The lyrics reflect a sense of nostalgia and longing for past moments of strength, clarity, and connection. The opening lines, 'Once I was a man / Stronger than the shelf,' suggest a time when the narrator felt more powerful and in control. However, this sense of control is fleeting, as indicated by the line, 'But one can never tell,' highlighting the unpredictability of life.

The song also touches on themes of loss and self-reliance, particularly in the lines, 'Once a mother's gone / The children raise themselves.' This suggests a shift from dependence to independence, a common experience that shapes one's identity. The recurring motif of 'once' underscores the idea that these moments are in the past, and the present is a different reality. The narrator's desire to 'buy a house,' 'make a stand,' and 'love a girl' or 'a man' reflects a yearning for stability and meaningful connections, yet there's an acknowledgment that these desires are often out of reach.

The chorus, 'But if once more I could feel / What I felt before / I'd hold it like it's real / I'd never let it fall,' encapsulates the central theme of the song: the longing to recapture past emotions and experiences. The imagery of 'blowing up every bridge' and 'building up every wall' suggests a defensive stance, a way to protect oneself from future pain, but also a recognition that such defenses can prevent new experiences from taking root. The song concludes with a poignant reflection on the finality of choices and the enduring impact of lost love, encapsulated in the lines, 'And once a lover dies / You never love again.'

Parcels' 'Once' is a contemplative exploration of the impermanence of life and the deep-seated human desire to hold onto fleeting moments of joy and connection. The song's introspective lyrics and melancholic tone invite listeners to reflect on their own experiences of loss, longing, and the passage of time.