Have We Met Before?
Tom Rosenthal Lyrics


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Are you thinking?
Is she close?
Do you struggle with umbrellas?
Are you leaving?
Are you home?
Have you timed this badly?
Have we met before?
Are you staying?
Did you fall?
Can you count to ten in German?
Can you whisper?
Can you lie?
Did you design your own website?
Have we met before?

Are you sleeping?
Are you wise?
What can you see from your window?
Are you hungry?
Are you calm?
Are you on a great adventure?
Have we met before?

Are you reading?
Did you choose?
Can you see into the future?
Are you listening?
Are you scared?




Will you know it when you see it?
Have we met before?

Overall Meaning

Tom Rosenthal's song "Have We Met Before?" is a series of introspective questions about the nature of human connection. The lyrics seem to suggest that there are countless potential things people could talk about or learn about each other, but ultimately, what's most important is whether we have some innate sense of familiarity with each other.


The first stanza begins with a few fairly innocuous questions, all related to the present moment: is this person close by (physically or emotionally)? Are they leaving or coming home? This could be interpreted as the early stages of a relationship, when people are trying to figure out whether they're interested in each other or not.


The second stanza delves into more specific questions that are more about getting to know a person: can they speak German? Can they design a website? While these might seem like odd questions to ask, they suggest that the singer is looking for someone who puts effort into learning new skills or has unique interests.


The third stanza takes on a more philosophical tone, asking questions about how the person sees the world: do they feel wise? Are they hungry or calm? Are they on an adventure? Again, these questions seem designed to elicit a sense of compatibility or shared experiences.


The final stanza feels the most existential, asking if the person believes in fate or destiny: can they see into the future? Will they know it when they see it? The repetition of the question "have we met before?" takes on more weight as the song goes on, building to a final realization that there is something important about recognizing another person, even if the reason is unknown.


Overall, the song is a beautifully introspective meditation on what it means to connect with another human being. By asking a series of questions, the singer is trying to discern whether the person in question could be a "kindred spirit" or someone with whom they share a deeper connection.


Line by Line Meaning

Are you thinking?
Are you lost in thought?


Is she close?
Are you thinking of someone who might be nearby?


Do you struggle with umbrellas?
Do you find it hard to navigate through uncertain times?


Are you leaving?
Are you ready to move on from something or someone?


Are you home?
Are you in a place where you feel comfortable and safe?


Have you timed this badly?
Are you regretting your decisions or actions that led to this moment?


Have we met before?
Do you feel a sense of familiarity or connection to me?


Are you staying?
Are you committed to something or someone?


Did you fall?
Have you experienced a setback or failure?


Can you count to ten in German?
Do you possess a skill that is unique or different?


Can you whisper?
Can you keep a secret or communicate quietly?


Can you lie?
Are you capable of deceiving or hiding the truth?


Did you design your own website?
Have you created something that showcases your creativity or skill?


Have we met before?
Do you sense a connection or similarity between us?


Are you sleeping?
Are you at peace or resting easy?


Are you wise?
Have you gained knowledge or insight through experience?


What can you see from your window?
What is your perspective or worldview?


Are you hungry?
Do you possess a hunger or desire for something more?


Are you calm?
Are you at ease or in control of your emotions?


Are you on a great adventure?
Are you experiencing something new or exciting?


Have we met before?
Do you feel a sense of familiarity or connection to me?


Are you reading?
Are you seeking knowledge or entertainment?


Did you choose?
Have you made a decision or taken action towards something?


Can you see into the future?
Do you possess foresight or intuition?


Are you listening?
Are you paying attention to those around you?


Are you scared?
Are you feeling afraid or vulnerable?


Will you know it when you see it?
Do you trust your instincts or have a clear idea of what you want?


Have we met before?
Do you feel a sense of familiarity or connection to me?




Contributed by Ian J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@aenafro

Are you thinking?
Is she close?
Do you struggle with umbrellas?
Are you leaving?
Are you home?
Have you timed this badly?
Have we met before?
Are you staying?
Did you fall?
Can you count to ten in German?
Can you whisper?
Can you lie?
Did you design your own website?
Have we met before?
Are you sleeping?
Are you wise?
What can you see from your window?
Are you hungry?
Are you calm?
Are you on a great adventure?
Have we met before?



All comments from YouTube:

@ludoviajante

You art is so beautiful it hurts.

@adastriangle

Mds ludoviajante

@MelanieAnneAhern

not sure how you managed to inject so much visceral emotion into two deceased creatures but I’m here for it

@TomRosenthal1

That's why Adrian Bliss is so good.

@jasommen

This makes me want to simultaneously cry and smile and I love it

@Rachswift222

that's it! you've described all of his music perfectly haha

@celiabdk

This song and its lyrics always made me think of The Little Prince :

"They (the grown-ups) never ask you any questions about essential matters. They never say to you, "What does his voice sound like? What games does he love best? Does he collect butterflies?" Instead, they demand: "How old is he? How many brothers has he? How much does he weigh? How much money does his father make?" Only from these figures do they think they have learned anything about him (...).
But certainly, for us who understand life, figures are a matter of indifference".

So now tell me, do you struggle with umbrellas ? Can you count to ten in German ? What can you see from your window ?

@moonloversheila8238

Yes!
Yes!
Fields with horses in!
😬

@ellenelizabeth9543

I love a taxidermy romance, always a favourite ❤️

@philomath67

Lol. I didn't know it was a genre, but I'm into it.

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