Meaning of Crying by Bonnie Tyler

In Bonnie Tyler's emotional ballad "Crying," the overall theme revolves around the pain and struggle of holding onto a love that has already ended. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of heartbreak and emotional turmoil, with the protagonist grappling with the complexity of their emotions while questioning their decision to keep trying. Let's delve deeper into some standout lyrics and explore the unexpected and imaginative themes they help develop.The opening lines, "Damn these tears here on my face, wish they'd just wash away but they just keep on running," highlight the overwhelming presence of sadness and the inability to let go. This conveys the theme of the lingering pain after a relationship has ended, emphasizing how tears become a persistent reminder of past love. It also raises the intriguing notion that tears serve as a form of cleansing, attempting to wash away the sorrow but ultimately being unsuccessful, which could symbolize a desire for emotional healing.The line, "Feels like it steals my breath, like a midnight train it just keeps coming," adds another layer to the song's themes. The imagery of a midnight train suggests that the pain of lost love is relentless and unstoppable, much like a speeding train hurtling through the night. By comparing the pain to a train, Tyler conveys the idea that it is both haunting and inescapable, highlighting the struggle to move on."I'm stuck on the tracks, there ain't no turning back" reinforces the feeling of being trapped in the aftermath of a failed relationship. This line suggests that the protagonist is unable to find a way out of their emotional turmoil, which contributes to the overarching theme of being unable to let go. It paints a picture of being paralyzed by the past, unable to move forward and still holding onto hope despite knowing it may be futile.The repeated question, "Why do I still love you, and where do I go from here?" reflects the internal conflict and confusion of the protagonist. It explores the idea that even though the relationship has ended, love still lingers, leaving them at a crossroads. This theme raises thought-provoking questions about the complexity of love and the difficulty of navigating its aftermath.The line, "It's all over but the crying," represents the ultimate acceptance of the end of the relationship. However, an imaginative interpretation of this lyric could suggest that crying becomes an essential part of the healing process. It implies that sorrow is necessary to fully acknowledge the loss and grieve, allowing for eventual closure and moving on. This theme emphasizes the power of emotions and the significance of expressing them rather than repressing them.In conclusion, "Crying" is a poignant song that explores the themes of lingering attachment, emotional struggle, and the difficulty of letting go. Through beautiful and evocative lyrics, Bonnie Tyler captures the raw emotions experienced after a relationship has ended. Each notable lyric contributes to the song's overall theme while fostering unexpected and imaginative themes such as the cleansing power of tears, the relentlessness of pain, the feeling of being trapped, the complexity of love, and the importance of embracing and expressing emotions. It is through these imaginative themes that the song resonates deeply with listeners, speaking to the universal experience of heartbreak and the journey towards healing.