What Goes Up...

The Alan Parsons Project's song 'What Goes Up...' delves into the transient nature of human achievements and the inevitability of change. The lyrics open with the age-old adage, 'What goes up must come down,' setting the tone for a reflection on the cyclical nature of life. This phrase, often used to describe the laws of physics, is metaphorically applied to human endeavors and emotions, suggesting that no matter how high one rises, a fall is inevitable. The song questions the purpose of striving for greatness when everything is destined to fade away, encapsulated in the lines, 'If all things must fall, why build a miracle at all? If all things must pass, even a miracle won't last.'

The song further explores the idea of permanence and legacy. The lyrics ponder the futility of building something monumental, like a pyramid, which symbolizes human ambition and the desire for immortality. Despite their grandeur, even pyramids are subject to the ravages of time. This is poignantly expressed in the lines, 'If all things must pass, even a pyramid won't last.' The song challenges the listener to reconsider the value of their pursuits and the lasting impact of their achievements, asking, 'How can you be so sure? How do you know what the earth will endure?'

In the final verses, the song circles back to the inevitability of cycles with the lines, 'What goes round must come round, what's been lost must be found.' This reinforces the theme that life is a series of ups and downs, gains and losses. The Alan Parsons Project uses these reflections to encourage a deeper understanding of the transient nature of life and the importance of finding meaning beyond material accomplishments. The song's contemplative tone and philosophical lyrics invite listeners to reflect on their own lives and the legacies they hope to leave behind.