Meaning of "Till It Happens To You" by Corinne Bailey Rae

In "Till It Happens To You," Corinne Bailey Rae delves into the emotional aftermath of a broken relationship, highlighting the complexity of love and the difficulty of understanding it until one has experienced its pain. The song begins with the acknowledgment that words spoken in the heat of the moment contain a kernel of truth, and it becomes clear that the narrator's heart is broken. The line "Please don't ask me where I'm going, 'cause I don't know, no I don't know anymore" encapsulates the confusion and uncertainty that often follow the end of a relationship.

The song continues by reminiscing about happier times, when love felt like heaven and the connection between the two individuals was reminiscent of a beautiful symphony. However, as time passes, these feelings fade away, leaving the narrator feeling lost and yearning for the past. The lyrics convey a sense of nostalgia and the longing to go back to the way things were by visiting the old flat, but the attempt only highlights the bitter reality that nothing feels the same anymore.

The chorus reinforces the idea that people often overlook the truth about love until their hearts are broken. The line "Nobody wants to face the truth, but you won't believe what love can do till it happens to you" emphasizes the transformative power of heartbreak and the lessons that only experience can teach. The desperation to be understood and validated is expressed through the plea "don't you dare tell them what you think to do till they get over."

In the final section, the lyrics touch on the idea of aging and the wish that someone had warned the narrator about the pain of love before it happened. The closing lines "I just wish that someone would have told me till it happens to you, till it happens to you, till it happens to you" serve as a reminder that personal experience is often the most powerful teacher. The song suggests that it is only through firsthand encounters with heartbreak that one truly grasps the complexities and lessons of love.