The Meaning Behind The Song: What Now My Love by Petula Clark
| Title | Artist | Writer/Composer | Album | Release Date | Genre | Producer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| What Now My Love | Petula Clark | Gilbert Bécaud & Carl Sigman | Sings The International Hits | 1965 | Pop | Tony Hatch |
The Meaning Behind the Song
“What Now My Love” is a poignant song, originally written in French as “Et Maintenant” by Gilbert Bécaud and translated into English by Carl Sigman. The song was popularized by Petula Clark in her 1965 album “Sings The International Hits.” It explores the raw emotions of heartbreak and the struggle to find meaning and purpose after a significant loss.
The lyrics capture the hollow emptiness that follows a breakup. The narrator is left questioning their own existence and the purpose of their life. The line “How can I live through another day?” showcases the desperation and struggle to find the will to carry on without their loved one.
As the song progresses, the narrator describes how their dreams have turned to ashes and their hopes have crumbled into bits of clay. The once vibrant and lively person who could see and feel has become numb and unreal. They find themselves aimlessly wandering through the night without a goal, stripped of their heart and soul.
The chorus of the song reveals the pervasive sense of loss and loneliness. The world feels like it is closing in on the narrator, and the stars tumble around them, amplifying their sense of isolation. The sky that should be filled with the vastness of the sea becomes a mere illusion, highlighting the absence of their loved one.
The second verse further explores the aftermath of the breakup. The narrator acknowledges that their love is gone and contemplates the futility of continuing to live without them. They believe that no one would care or cry if they were to live or die, exemplifying the depth of their despair.
The final line of the song, “Now there is nothing, only my last goodbye,” encapsulates the feeling of finality and the crushing weight of the loss. The narrator is left with nothing but their farewell to their love, and the emptiness consumes them.
Personal Connection to the Song
Listening to Petula Clark’s rendition of “What Now My Love” takes me back to a time of heartache and personal loss in my own life. The raw emotions expressed in the song resonate deeply with me, reminding me of the pain and confusion I felt during that period.
During that difficult time, this song became my anthem of grief. Each line perfectly encapsulated the emptiness, numbness, and sense of aimlessness that I experienced. It provided solace, knowing that others have faced similar turmoil and were able to put those unimaginable feelings into words.
While the song may appear melancholic to some, it offered me a sense of validation for my emotions. It reminded me that it is okay to feel lost and heartbroken after the end of a significant relationship. It allowed me to process my grief and eventually find healing.
Over time, “What Now My Love” became more than just a song about heartbreak. It served as a catalyst for self-reflection and personal growth. It taught me about the impermanence of relationships and the importance of finding inner strength and resilience.
Today, when I listen to this song, I am filled with a sense of gratitude for the lessons it taught me and the healing it brought into my life. It serves as a reminder of the transformative power of music and its ability to connect with our deepest emotions.
