Meaning of "Now And Then" by Gary Puckett & The Union Gap

The lyrics of "Now And Then" by Gary Puckett & The Union Gap explore themes of love and loss, as well as the feeling of abandonment. The narrator, while working on cars at a truck stop, reflects on the departure of a loved one and expresses confusion as to why they left. The repeated plea for the friend to return to the truck stop highlights the narrator's longing and sadness over the relationship's end. The imagery of checking under the hood, filling the radiator, and tires wearing down serve as metaphors for the effort the narrator put into the relationship, only to be left with unanswered questions. Despite the passage of time, the narrator still holds onto hope that the loved one may return, demonstrating the enduring impact of past love on the present.