Meaning of "The Day Before You Came" by Anne Sofie Von Otter

The lyrics of "The Day Before You Came" by Anne Sofie Von Otter highlight the monotony and lack of purpose in the narrator's life before meeting their significant other. The detailed account of a typical day underscores the emptiness and routine that had characterized their existence. Mundane activities like commuting, working, smoking, and eating underscore the lack of excitement or personal fulfillment. However, the narrative shifts at the end when the person of interest is mentioned, suggesting that meeting this individual has transformed the narrator's life. The newfound sense of purpose is reflected in the final lines with a poignant contrast to the mundane routine described before. The lyrics evoke the idea that sometimes the most significant changes in life can come unexpectedly, altering one's perception and bringing a newfound sense of meaning, as symbolized by the metaphor of rain signaling renewal and change.