Look Out (Here Comes Tomorrow)

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of a narrator paralyzed by indecision, facing a future that demands a choice between two distinct romantic interests. The immediate emotional texture is one of anxious anticipation, as the looming "tomorrow" represents a point of no return. The narrator explicitly states, "That's when I have to choose," highlighting the pressure of this impending decision. The central tension lies in the narrator's inability to commit, caught between "Mary" and "Sandra." He describes Mary with sweet, almost idyllic imagery, "Lips like strawberry pie," while Sandra is presented as a more free-spirited "beat girl." This contrast in descriptions, coupled with the repeated plea, "Can't make up my mind," underscores the internal conflict. The narrator wishes he "only loved one," revealing a deep-seated desire for simplicity that his current situation denies him. The most striking lyrical device is the personification of "tomorrow" as an unavoidable force, almost an antagonist. The repeated refrain, "Look out, here comes tomorrow," coupled with the desperate wish, "Oh, how I wish tomorrow would never come," emphasizes the dread associated with this future event. This dread stems not just from the choice itself, but from the potential "sorrow" it might bring, suggesting that any choice will lead to pain for someone, including himself. This song resonates because it captures the universal anxiety of difficult choices, particularly in matters of the heart. The narrator's vulnerability is palpable; he admits, "How I wish I could borrow / Someone else's shoes," a poignant image of wanting to escape the burden of his own decision-making. The final twist, "Sandra, ha, Sandra loves Mary," adds a layer of complexity, suggesting the situation is even more entangled than a simple two-way choice, amplifying the narrator's predicament and the song's emotional weight.