Always In The Past

Tears For Fears' song 'Always In The Past' delves into the persistent grip of past experiences and memories on the present. The lyrics reflect a sense of being trapped in a cycle of retrospection, where the past continually influences the present. The opening lines, 'Money can't change the way you feel / Smoke stains on your fingertips,' suggest that material wealth and superficial changes cannot alter deep-seated emotions and experiences. The imagery of 'smoke stains' evokes a sense of lingering residue from past actions or events that cannot be easily erased.

The chorus, 'And I can't stop thinking / Always in the past,' emphasizes the relentless nature of these memories. The repetition of this line underscores the inescapability of the past, as if the narrator is caught in a loop of reflection. The song also touches on themes of loneliness and existential questioning, as seen in the lines, 'Boy you must had a lonely night / And did your dreams reveal God's plan?' This suggests a search for meaning and understanding in the face of past hardships.

The song's bridge, 'Walk those streets / Paved with gold / You and I we are one and the same,' introduces a sense of shared experience and collective memory. The reference to 'streets paved with gold' could symbolize the pursuit of idealized dreams or aspirations that ultimately remain unfulfilled. The mention of 'ancient plague' and 'famous lives / That were never saved' adds a historical and almost mythical dimension to the song, suggesting that the struggles and failures of the past are universal and timeless.

Overall, 'Always In The Past' is a poignant exploration of how the past continues to shape and haunt the present, highlighting the difficulty of moving forward while being tethered to bygone days.