Meaning of "Even Here We Are" by Paul Westerberg

The meaning behind the lyrics of "Even Here We Are" revolves around the perception of beauty and the recognition of value in unexpected places. The song opens with the mention of beautiful flowers in a garden, but it quickly redirects the listener's attention to the most beautiful flower, which is growing wild in a garbage dump. This contrast suggests that beauty is not limited to conventional or expected places; it can be found in the most unlikely of circumstances.

The next verse continues to explore this theme, using the metaphor of a bird's song in the sky as a symbol of beauty. However, the most beautiful "song" mentioned is not the bird's song, but rather the scream of a man who never learned to fly. This suggests that even in someone's struggle or lack of success, there can be a profound beauty and authenticity. It highlights the idea that beauty is not solely defined by success or conventional achievements but can be found in the raw and vulnerable aspects of humanity.

The final verse brings attention to the radiant sun as a beautiful sight, but again redirects the listener's focus to the most beautiful occurrence. This time, it is the blind girl alone with the angel of the night. The contrast here is the juxtaposition of light and darkness, and the recognition that even in darkness or difficult circumstances, beauty can still be found. The blind girl's interaction with the angel of the night symbolizes a connection to something greater than oneself, and in that connection lies the beauty and significance.

Overall, "Even Here We Are" celebrates the beauty and value found in unexpected places and moments. It encourages the listener to look beyond surface-level beauty and conventional ideas of success, and to appreciate the depth and significance found in the overlooked and marginalized aspects of life.