Meaning of "One Way" by Randy Houser

The lyrics of "One Way" by Randy Houser evoke a deep sense of nostalgia and realization about the passage of time and the inevitability of change. The singer reminisces about a past relationship and the longing for the way things used to be. He reaches out to the old friend, perhaps hoping to connect with a piece of his past, only to discover that she has moved on. This can be seen as a metaphor for the way people and relationships evolve over time, sometimes leaving cherished memories behind. The repeated refrain about time being a river that only runs one way underscores the theme of irreversible change and the need to come to terms with it. The song captures the bittersweet nature of looking back on the past, acknowledging the beauty of what once was while accepting that it can never be recaptured.