All The Time
Zara Larsson
Endless Heartache: The Lingering Memory of Love
Zara Larsson's song "All The Time" delves into the emotional turmoil of a lingering heartbreak. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of someone who is haunted by the memories of a past lover, unable to escape the thoughts of them from dawn until dusk. The repetition of the phrase "From the breaking of the day to the middle of the night" emphasizes the relentless nature of these thoughts, suggesting that the protagonist is consumed by their memories all day long.
The song captures the essence of longing and the difficulty of moving on. The protagonist is caught in a cycle of reminiscing about intimate moments, as seen in lines like "I'm seeing you undressed in my room, but it's just a memory, a fantasy." This juxtaposition of reality and fantasy highlights the struggle between wanting to let go and being unable to. The lyrics also touch on the pain of imagining the ex-lover with someone else, which intensifies the sense of loss and jealousy.
Cultural references to New York add a layer of universality to the song, as the city is often seen as a place of new beginnings and opportunities. However, for the protagonist, it becomes a place of confusion and heartache, as they are reminded of their ex-lover everywhere they go. The song's repetitive structure and catchy melody mirror the obsessive nature of the protagonist's thoughts, making it a relatable anthem for anyone who has experienced the difficulty of moving on from a past relationship.