I think its interesting so many comments think its about someone he knew and lost. That's not clear, I mean it could be, even likely (my bet would be his first love, whoever that is), but its not implicit in the lyrics.
What is clear is that he's expressing hope that he will find this love in the future, soon.
But how will he know for certain when he has found his true love? Will there be clear signs? Will stars explode overhead?
I think he's also expressing how there are very few certainties in life. There is an implication of fear or doubt, by saying it would be nice if we knew for certain, if when we knew we met our true love we could be certain because of undeniable indications, if stars exploded overhead when we met, but in reality we know that doesn't happen.
In reality the only certainty in life is that life blooms and then it fades, the inevitable transcience of time.
Sometimes we don't know that we've met out true love until time has passed. Maybe why some have interpretted this song as longing for a lost love. All Nick is expressing is clear longing for true love, and hope he will find true love soon. The implication being that "true love" would endure, maybe that is the only indication that it is "true love" versus another kind of love that could not be lost, just as other loves have.
I think its interesting so many comments think its about someone he knew and lost. That's not clear, I mean it could be, even likely (my bet would be his first love, whoever that is), but its not implicit in the lyrics.
What is clear is that he's expressing hope that he will find this love in the future, soon.
But how will he know for certain when he has found his true love? Will there be clear signs? Will stars explode overhead?
I think he's also expressing how there are very few certainties in life. There is an implication of fear or doubt, by saying it would be nice if we knew for certain, if when we knew we met our true love we could be certain because of undeniable indications, if stars exploded overhead when we met, but in reality we know that doesn't happen.
In reality the only certainty in life is that life blooms and then it fades, the inevitable transcience of time.
Sometimes we don't know that we've met out true love until time has passed. Maybe why some have interpretted this song as longing for a lost love. All Nick is expressing is clear longing for true love, and hope he will find true love soon. The implication being that "true love" would endure, maybe that is the only indication that it is "true love" versus another kind of love that could not be lost, just as other loves have.