Matter Of Time

Vanessa Carlton's 'Matter Of Time' delves into the complexities and inevitabilities of love. The song opens with the lines, 'Give her all your darkness / Give her all your light,' suggesting that true love encompasses both the good and the bad, the light and the dark. This duality is a recurring theme, emphasizing that love is not just about the highs but also about embracing the lows. The metaphor of love as a carriage, 'It's no spirit in the night,' implies that love is a journey, not a fleeting moment of passion. It requires commitment and endurance, much like a long carriage ride through various terrains.

The chorus, 'He said it's only a matter of time / Before your heart is mine,' speaks to the inevitability of love finding its way. It suggests a sense of destiny, as if the union of hearts is preordained. This is further emphasized by the lines, 'Have you been searching? / You've been looking the world over,' which indicate a quest for love that spans time and space. The song questions when it is time to let go and find peace, hinting at the idea that love brings a sense of completeness and tranquility that one has been searching for all along.

The imagery of 'Flowing like a circuit / Through a curse of neon signs' adds a modern twist to the timeless theme of love. It suggests that love is an electric, almost magical force that flows through us, even in the most mundane or artificial settings. The song's repetition of 'When is it time to let go? / And is it then that you know?' serves as a poignant reminder that love often requires surrender and acceptance. Ultimately, 'Matter Of Time' is a beautifully crafted exploration of love's inevitability, its challenges, and its ultimate reward of peace and understanding.