Meaning of "Fly By Night" by Ian Anderson

In "Fly By Night," the narrator grapples with his inability to face the consequences of his actions, preferring to escape under the cloak of night rather than address the pain he has caused. The repeated motif of flying by night suggests a desire to avoid the harsh light of reality, as the singer abandons his love and leaves behind only "used memories." He acknowledges that his behavior may be seen as callous, but his fear of the dawn and the need to keep moving forward outweigh any sense of remorse. The references to Lady Luck deserting him and the ghosts of love haunting him further reinforce the idea of escaping from one's mistakes rather than taking accountability. The imagery of Cupid's arrows flying by night hints at the transient and fleeting nature of love, underscoring the narrator's reluctance to stay and face the aftermath of his actions.