Yesterday Is Here

Tom Waits' song 'Yesterday Is Here' is a poignant exploration of time, longing, and the elusive nature of happiness. The lyrics paint a picture of a person who is caught in the present's struggles, with 'grey skies' and 'tears' symbolizing the hardships and emotional pain of today and tomorrow. The repeated line 'You'll have to wait til yesterday is here' suggests a yearning for the past, a time when things were presumably better or simpler. This phrase encapsulates the paradox of longing for a time that can never return, highlighting the futility of waiting for the past to reappear.

The song also delves into themes of departure and the pursuit of dreams. The narrator speaks of leaving for New York City, a place often associated with new opportunities and the fulfillment of dreams. However, this journey is tinged with sadness, as it requires saying goodbye and leaving behind familiar comforts and memories. The line 'All our dreams come true, baby up ahead, and it's out where your memories lie' juxtaposes the hope of future dreams with the nostalgia of past memories, creating a bittersweet tension between what is lost and what is yet to be gained.

Tom Waits' distinctive gravelly voice and the song's melancholic melody further enhance the emotional depth of the lyrics. The imagery of a road stretching out before the narrator and the moon shining bright evokes a sense of solitary journeying and introspection. The song ultimately reflects on the human condition, the passage of time, and the complex interplay between past, present, and future. It invites listeners to contemplate their own experiences of longing, memory, and the pursuit of happiness, making 'Yesterday Is Here' a timeless and deeply resonant piece.