Song meaning of From Afar by Vance Joy

"From Afar" by Vance Joy is a heartfelt song that explores the complexities of unrequited love and the pain of longing for someone who doesn't feel the same way. The lyrics depict a one-sided relationship where the narrator is constantly being told to look the other way and hide their true feelings. The song captures the bittersweet emotions of loving someone from a distance and accepting that their love will never be reciprocated.

In the first verse, the narrator sings, "You told me, 'Boy, look the other way' / You told me, 'Boy, bite your tongue' / Yes, that's not the way / Yeah, that's not the way." These lines convey the frustration and confusion the narrator feels as they are instructed to suppress their emotions. The repetition of "that's not the way" emphasizes the disconnect between what is expected in a friendship and the narrator's unrequited love.

The chorus further emphasizes the narrator's unfulfilled longing, as they sing, "You lined me up across the room / Two falling sparks, one willing fool / And I, I always knew / That I would love you from afar." Here, the imagery of two falling sparks symbolizes the potential for a romantic connection, but the narrator acknowledges that they will always be the "willing fool" who loves from a distance. This highlights the narrator's acceptance of their role in the relationship and their inability to change it.

The second verse continues to explore the narrator's feelings of longing and deprivation, as they sing, "Well, I've been living on the crumbs of your love / And I'm starving now / And that is just the way that we remain." These lines express the narrator's desperation for even the smallest gestures of affection from the person they love. The metaphor of living on crumbs emphasizes the narrator's emotional hunger and their realization that this unbalanced dynamic is unlikely to change.

The outro of the song reinforces the narrator's realization that their feelings will not be reciprocated, as they sing, "It shouldn't come as a surprise / What I'm feeling, what I'm feeling now." These lines suggest that the narrator has come to terms with the reality of their unrequited love and acknowledges that it shouldn't be unexpected.

Overall, "From Afar" by Vance Joy delves into the pain and acceptance that comes with loving someone who will never love you back. The lyrics capture the longing, frustration, and resignation that often accompany unrequited love, making it a relatable and emotionally resonant song.