Meaning of "Start Over" by Abandoned Pools

The song "Start Over" delves into the desire for a clean slate, for a chance to erase the mistakes and difficulties of the past. The initial lines of the song ("What a mess our lives turned out to be / It was at its best when you and I were only 3") highlight a time when life seemed simpler, when the singer longs for a return to a more innocent state. The repetition of the phrase "Can we start, start over?" throughout the song emphasizes this yearning for a fresh beginning.

The lyrics also touch upon the theme of loneliness and the search for connection. The line "Think of all the lonely people in the world" highlights the universal experience of feeling alone and isolated. The singer suggests that even when individuals achieve their desired destinations ("Here you are and there's where you wanna be"), they may still feel a sense of emptiness. The question of why humans can be cruel is also raised, hinting at a deeper existential inquiry about the nature of humanity.

However, the song also recognizes the limitations and realities of life. The repeated phrase "It's all over" acknowledges that starting over may not be possible. Despite the desire to escape the problems and challenges we face, the song suggests that we cannot simply discard our experiences and start anew. The lines "We can never lie / And you can never steal the time / And we can only watch them die / And we can never find out why" highlight the permanence and inescapability of certain aspects of life, such as the passing of time and the inevitability of death.

In essence, "Start Over" reflects a longing for a fresh start, the recognition of human loneliness, and the desire to understand the cruelty in the world. It ultimately presents the bittersweet realization that starting over may not be possible and that some aspects of life are beyond our control.