Meaning of "After You" by Roberta Flack

In these lyrics, the protagonist grapples with the aftermath of a past relationship, feeling lost and adrift without their former partner. The repetition of the phrase "after you" signifies the lingering impact that the ex has had on the narrator's life. The lyrics convey a sense of longing, reflecting on the part of themselves that was taken when the relationship ended. The uncertainty about the future and the struggle to move on are evident in the narrator's internal monologue. The imagery of drifting from place to place without reason mirrors the emotional disorientation that often follows a breakup. Ultimately, the lyrics speak to the difficulty of letting go and the process of rediscovering one's self-identity after the end of a significant relationship.