Second Time Around
After All Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

The mirror in front of me
The reason to forget
Is an obstacle I see through
Is the reason why we live
I control what you believe
Are you the only one
The vision fades in fades out
Watching you instead
Now I'll never find
You're too ugly to forget
An answer to let go
Too beautiful to have




Turn the clock back now
The beginning starts the end

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Second Time Around" by After All explore themes of self-reflection, the power of perception, and the cyclical nature of life. The first line, "The mirror in front of me," sets the tone for the song as the singer seems to be looking at himself and his surroundings in a critical manner. The next line, "The reason to forget," is ambiguous but could be interpreted as the singer's desire to forget past mistakes or regrets.


The third line, "Is an obstacle I see through," suggests that the singer has a clear understanding of the things that are holding him back or preventing him from moving on. He also seems to have some control over the perception of others, as he says, "I control what you believe." This line hints at the idea that our beliefs and perceptions are not always our own, but are shaped by outside influences.


The singer's focus then shifts to someone else, as he says, "Watching you instead." He seems to be searching for something or someone, saying, "Now I'll never find / You're too ugly to forget / Too beautiful to have." These lines convey a sense of longing or desire, but also suggest that the object of his affection is both attractive and repulsive to him.


The final line, "Turn the clock back now / The beginning starts the end," brings the song full circle by acknowledging the cyclical nature of life. The singer may be reflecting on past mistakes, but he also seems to understand that everything is connected and that life is full of second chances.


Line by Line Meaning

The mirror in front of me
Gazing into my own reflection


The reason to forget
Attempting to escape the past


Is an obstacle I see through
My reflection serves as a hindrance yet I overcome it


Is the reason why we live
Our ability to reflect and learn from past experiences defines our existence


I control what you believe
Exerting authority over someone's beliefs or thoughts


Are you the only one
Questioning someone's isolation or uniqueness


The vision fades in fades out
The clarity of our perspective shifts and changes over time


Watching you instead
Shifting focus from myself to someone else


Now I'll never find
The pursuit of something is never-ending


You're too ugly to forget
Negative memories are often the strongest and most difficult to overcome


An answer to let go
Trying to find closure and move on from a situation


Too beautiful to have
Something or someone is desirable yet unattainable


Turn the clock back now
Regretting choices made in the past


The beginning starts the end
Every journey has a fixed start and end point




Contributed by Victoria P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@CindyElsesser-ob1yh

I love this song. I'm 65 now. This song brings back the BEST MEMORIES of my younger days! There's nothing like it. Thank you for the wonderful memories.❀

@AJFar-tm7dn

We used to go to the clubs 3 or 4 nights a week. I'll be 64 soon. Those were the best years of my life.

@JamesCountryman-fr5ww

​@@AJFar-tm7dna at Γ Γ aaaaaaaΓ Γ Γ Γ aΓ aΓ aaaaaaaaaaΓ Γ aΓ Γ Γ Γ aaaaaaaaaaΓ 11@@ 3:44 3:47

@patpapa3204

​@@AJFar-tm7dnME TOO! 😊

@teresacorbett689

Howard's voice is GOLD! ❀

@tp1201

❀❀❀❀

@dfreeman120

This song is the bomb, Howard is killing it on the vocals as always. Stellar production from Leon Sylvers !

@terrenceroyster2031

Facts

@shirlthepearl3167

Should 've kept Jody as his backup- Greeetings from the OH10!

@owensedo6181

Yeslord

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