How Do You Feel Now?

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of profound relief and wonder, centered around the arrival of a child. The opening lines, "How do you feel now / We've got a reason to go on," immediately establish a sense of shared purpose and a turning point after a period of struggle or anticipation. The narrator expresses a deep, almost spiritual belief in their partner, "honey I believed in you / To make my dreams all come true," suggesting a long-held hope that has now materialized. The phrase "Seems like I've waited for a lifetime" is repeated, underscoring the immense duration and significance of this awaited moment. The emotional core of the song lies in the contrast between past uncertainty and present joy. The narrator recounts a moment of overwhelming emotion upon seeing the child, "When I saw her face I had to cry / I don't know why / Is she real?" This raw, unexplainable reaction highlights the surreal and deeply moving nature of the experience. The repeated attempts to "talk it over" and the feeling of waiting "a million years" suggest past difficulties or a prolonged journey to this point. The birth of the child, however, acts as a unifying force, declaring "And we were one." The most striking aspect of the craft is the cyclical structure and the potent, simple imagery. The repetition of the chorus, particularly the question "How do you feel now," bookends the narrative, bringing the listener back to the initial sense of awe and shared experience. The image of picking up the child and seeing "the smile that you couldn't hide" is a powerful, concrete detail that anchors the abstract emotions of relief and fulfillment. This focus on a singular, transformative event – the birth of a child – and the consistent return to the partner's perspective ("you") creates an intimate and deeply personal reflection on shared happiness.