It's Not Easy

The Rolling Stones' song 'It's Not Easy' delves into the emotional and practical challenges of living alone. The repetitive chorus, 'It's not easy living on your own,' underscores the central theme of the song, emphasizing the difficulty and loneliness that come with solitude. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the protagonist's struggle, highlighting the absence of a support system and the overwhelming responsibility of managing everything independently. This sentiment is further reinforced by the lines, 'All of the things that you used to do / If they're done now, well they're done by you,' which reflect the burden of self-reliance.

The song also touches on the emotional toll of taking a partner for granted, as seen in the lines, 'It seems a big failing in a man / To take his girl for granted if he can.' This suggests a sense of regret and introspection, as the protagonist realizes the value of companionship only after it's lost. The imagery of 'running like a cat in a thunderstorm' and 'just a big bed and a telephone' evokes a sense of aimlessness and isolation, further emphasizing the bleakness of living alone.

In the latter part of the song, the protagonist's longing for his partner becomes more apparent. The lines, 'Imaginin' the glow of her long clean hair / As she goes to sit on her own high chair,' reveal a deep sense of yearning and nostalgia. The repetition of 'it's not easy' throughout the song serves as a constant reminder of the hardships of solitude, making it a poignant reflection on the human need for connection and the pain of its absence.