These Days
Navigating Love's Complexities: Insights from Ron Sexsmith's 'These Days'
Lyrics
Promises are made to be broken
Promises are often not kept as intended.
Haven't you heard?
Questioning if the listener is aware of this fact.
He said he'd never break your heart
Someone assured they wouldn't hurt the listener emotionally.
Now haven't you learned?
Asking if the listener has experienced disappointment despite the promise.
You believed in the words
The listener had faith in the words spoken.
In all that they meant
Belief in the sincerity and significance of those words.
Oh, but love is not some popular song
Love is not like a popular song; it's deeper than surface emotions.
Filled with empty sentiment
Contrasting real love with shallow, insincere expressions.
That's what passes for love
Describing superficial gestures mistaken for love.
That's what passes for love these days
Reiterating the idea that shallow actions are perceived as love in contemporary times.
It won't take a miracle, darlin'
No extraordinary effort needed for love; authenticity is crucial.
Just keep it real
Encouraging the listener to be genuine in relationships.
This world can make us cynical, darlin'
The world may lead to skepticism, but the listener knows the feeling.
I know how it feels
Acknowledging the emotional challenges faced.
You took it to heart
Taking criticism or opinions from others seriously.
What they said on the screen
Believing in what is portrayed, perhaps through media or screens.
Oh, but love is not just playing a part
Love is more than acting out a role in a predetermined scenario.
In some very scripted scene
Rejecting the idea of love as a scripted, artificial experience.
That's what passes for love
Repeating the notion that superficial actions are mistaken for love.
That's what passes for love these days
Reiterating the prevalence of shallow love in contemporary society.
No one can complete you or make you whole
No one can complete or fulfill another person; self-love is crucial.
But love will come to greet you half way
Love requires effort from both parties, meeting halfway.
Though the streets are never paved with gold
Reality is not always ideal, and love may not be easy to find.
Promises are made to be broken
Repeating the idea that promises may not be kept as intended.
Haven't you heard?
Checking if the listener is aware of broken promises.
He said he'd never break your heart
Recalling a promise not to cause emotional pain.
Now haven't you learned?
Asking if the listener has learned from past disappointments.
You believed in the words
Reiteration of the listener's belief in spoken words.
In all that they meant
Belief in the sincerity and significance of those words.
Oh, but love is not some popular song
Love transcends the superficiality of popular songs.
Filled with empty sentiment
Contrasting genuine love with shallow, insincere expressions.
That's what passes for love
Repeating the description of shallow gestures as love.
That's what passes for love
Emphasizing the prevalence of mistaken, shallow love in current times.
That's what passes for love these days
Concluding with the idea that superficial actions are mistaken for love in contemporary society.
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