The end of the year can bring self-reflection not just for the school year, but an urge to look back on your whole life. Introspectiveness is sometimes depressing, especially when it is brought due to an end of an era.
This 1960s rock band, The Velvet Underground, touched upon this topic with their song “Sunday Morning.” This song was featured on their debut album and was inspired by their experience waking up on a Sunday and dealing with the aftermath of their choices from the last night.
Verse 1:
“Sunday morning, brings the dawn in
It’s just a restless feeling by my side
Early dawning, Sunday morning
It’s just the wasted years so close behind”
The song starts with a melody that resembles a childlike lullaby or rhyme, which contrasts greatly with the woeful lyrics. The opening verse describes a hopeful feeling that is unique to waking up on a Sunday morning. However, this optimistic view is soon changed with remembrance of anxiety and depression.
The Velvet Underground captures the nostalgia and dread that comes with every passing day of life. With this indescribable, crippling feeling in the short time we have to live, people let a lot of valuable years pass by without doing anything meaningful.
Chorus:
“Watch out, the world’s behind you
There’s always someone around you who will call
It’s nothing at all”
Oddly enough this somber song still has hints of hope woven between the lyrics. In the repeating chorus, it emphasizes that there are always those who are ready to support you and stay by your side. Even though it immediately contradicts this phrase by saying “It’s nothing at all,” The Velvet Underground expresses more petulant refusal than a gloomy truth.
The chorus is full with a melancholy joy describing the people throughout your life who will struggle alongside you and your problems.
Verse 2:
“Sunday morning and I’m falling
I’ve got a feeling I don’t want to know
Early dawning, Sunday morning
It’s all the streets you crossed, not so long ago”
Wistfulness comes back strong in this verse as the lyrics transport listeners to an empty street in the early morning with echoing vocals and whimsy guitar. The feeling described in the first verse reappears, this time with a blatant wish to deny learning the truth behind it.
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Growing up could feel like the end of the world. Feeling regrets for all you have not done or accomplished, though uncomfortable, is a timeless feeling. Some students may feel that way as well, when moving on to the next grade or advancing to life outside of high school.
However, it is important to not let this dread overcome you in the little moments of life you should enjoy, such as Sunday mornings. Those around you will always be there to help you endure through the hard times. Despite what some may feel, the whole world is still in front of you, so do not waste more of your time melancholy.
