How It Began

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of a narrator, writing to an old friend named Josh, who feels perpetually "cursed" and self-destructive. He describes a pivotal moment of meeting someone who immediately felt like a potential "saviour." This encounter, depicted with a sense of almost fated recognition, offers a stark contrast to his usual self-sabotaging tendencies. The immediate impact of this meeting is emphasized by the narrator's perception of her ability to connect with his music and, by extension, with him. The central tension lies in the narrator's deep-seated belief in his own self-destructive nature, admitting he's "biting the hand / That was feeding me love." He sees this new person as a potential catalyst for change, a way to navigate "wreckage" and find a better path. The lyrics suggest a desperate hope that this relationship can be the exception to his pattern of ruin, a chance to rewrite his own narrative. He frames her as someone who can "dispose of my fate," implying she holds the key to his redemption. A key craft element is the vivid imagery associated with her musical connection. Her playing the guitar is described as "a delicate thing," and her "heart shimmering through the six strings." This sensory detail elevates the moment beyond a simple meeting, suggesting a profound, almost spiritual, resonance. The shift in the second chorus, where the narrator joins in and their "voices rise like the morning sun," marks a powerful transition from passive observation to active participation, solidifying the sense of a new beginning. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics stems from their raw honesty about self-doubt juxtaposed with the overwhelming hope of a transformative connection. The repeated affirmation, "This is the one," coupled with the simple declaration, "And that's how it began," grounds the grand emotional arc in a clear, declarative statement. It’s this blend of vulnerability and certainty that makes the narrator’s newfound hope feel so potent and earned within the narrative.