Meaning of "After Hours (Twelve Bars Past Goodnight)" by Rickie Lee Jones

The lyrics of "After Hours (Twelve Bars Past Goodnight)" by Rickie Lee Jones speak to themes of loneliness and isolation, as the speaker finds themselves abandoned by their friends and left to wander the empty streets alone. The imagery of the streetlight representing the only source of light and companionship in the darkness reinforces the sense of solitude. The repeated refrain of "standing on the corner all alone" underscores the feeling of being left behind or forgotten by those around them. Despite this desolate scene, the speaker still holds onto a sense of hope and dreams, as seen in the line "The world still loves a dreamer." This juxtaposition of loneliness and optimism captures the bittersweet nature of late-night introspection and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of solitude.