Meaning of "Where Has All the Love Gone" by Sheryl Crow

The lyrics of "Where Has All the Love Gone" by Sheryl Crow explore the speaker's observations of the world around them and the absence of love and compassion in society. The mention of a man on the news who isn't affected by the troubling events highlights the desensitization and lack of empathy that can exist. The speaker's nostalgic reference to the love that was present when they were young underscores a yearning for a simpler, more compassionate time. The flag on the wooden box symbolizes loss, perhaps indicating the sacrifices made in the name of progress or the erosion of core values. The uncertainty expressed about whether we can find our way back to a more loving society reflects a deep concern for the future and a desire for connection and empathy to prevail once again.