I Missed Again

Phil Collins' song 'I Missed Again' delves into the complexities and frustrations of unrequited love. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a man who has been waiting for a clear sign from his love interest, only to be met with ambiguity and uncertainty. The opening lines, 'So you finally came right out and said it, girl / What took you so long?' suggest a long period of waiting and hoping for a declaration of feelings that never quite materialized. This sets the tone for the recurring theme of missed opportunities and miscommunication in the song.

The chorus, 'Or did I miss again / I think I missed again oh,' encapsulates the protagonist's self-doubt and confusion. He is constantly questioning whether he has misinterpreted the signals or if he has simply been wasting his time. This sense of uncertainty is further emphasized in the lines, 'I try to forget and yet, still rush to the telephone / I'm waiting in line / Would you say if I was wasting my time.' The protagonist's actions reveal a deep-seated hope that perhaps, this time, things will be different, even though past experiences suggest otherwise.

The song also explores the elusive nature of love and desire. The lines, 'Well it feels like something you want so bad / Then you think you've got it, but it's something you already had,' highlight the paradox of longing for something that seems within reach but remains unattainable. This sentiment is echoed in the imagery of feeling something all around you but being unable to touch it. Phil Collins masterfully captures the bittersweet essence of love that is always just out of grasp, leaving the listener with a poignant sense of longing and introspection.