In his Autobiography, I believe Pete mentioned this was about his wife, and a new, younger girlfriend at the time.
So the first two verses are about the wife, and last two are about the new girfriend. Hence, another meaning to the title "Now and Then."
"I feel so badly Darlin' all the time. I have tortured you so long.
But I am helpless in this pantomime. I am aware that I was wrong."
This is to the wife. He felt like he tortured her by being on the road touring, or in his studio working, and being an overall 'workaholic.' Many times he wished he could drop it all and be at home, becoming a better husband and father. But he couldn't, and that's the "pantomime" - The rock star he can't help but being. Then on top of that, falling in love with another.
"Despite the fact that I now have lost the only love that ever caused me pain"
Only a love that is strong and meaningful can actually cause you pain. So, Pete's acknowedging that being with the new girlfriend that he's madly in love with, he's also losing his wife - someone he loved deeply for a good portion of his life.
He's conflicted, but acknowledging the fact that sometimes "you fall in love, and you can't do a thing about it."
I believe he said that his wife felt sick hearing the song.
In his Autobiography, I believe Pete mentioned this was about his wife, and a new, younger girlfriend at the time. So the first two verses are about the wife, and last two are about the new girfriend. Hence, another meaning to the title "Now and Then."
"I feel so badly Darlin' all the time. I have tortured you so long. But I am helpless in this pantomime. I am aware that I was wrong." This is to the wife. He felt like he tortured her by being on the road touring, or in his studio working, and being an overall 'workaholic.' Many times he wished he could drop it all and be at home, becoming a better husband and father. But he couldn't, and that's the "pantomime" - The rock star he can't help but being. Then on top of that, falling in love with another.
"Despite the fact that I now have lost the only love that ever caused me pain" Only a love that is strong and meaningful can actually cause you pain. So, Pete's acknowedging that being with the new girlfriend that he's madly in love with, he's also losing his wife - someone he loved deeply for a good portion of his life. He's conflicted, but acknowledging the fact that sometimes "you fall in love, and you can't do a thing about it."
I believe he said that his wife felt sick hearing the song.