Night And Day

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a vivid picture of relentless, all-consuming thought. The narrator likens this internal fixation to persistent, natural rhythms: the "beat beat beat of the tom-toms," the "tick tick tock of the stately clock," and the "drip drip drip of the raindrops." These images establish a sense of inescapable, ongoing presence, culminating in the simple, direct assertion that "a voice within me keeps repeating you, you, you." This opening sets the stage for a deep, almost involuntary obsession. The core tension lies in the constant, dual nature of this longing. The narrator is consumed "Night and day, day and night," whether the object of affection is "beneath the moon or under the sun," "near to me, or far." This unwavering focus transcends physical presence or time, highlighting a profound emotional dependency. The question "why is it so / That this longing for you follows wherever I go" underscores the narrator's bewilderment at the depth of their own yearning. What's particularly striking is the contrast between external environments and internal experience. The narrator's thoughts persist "In the roaring traffic's boom" as much as "In the silence of my lonely room." This juxtaposition emphasizes that the obsession is an internal state, impervious to external distractions or comforts. The lyrics then shift to a more visceral description of this feeling: "Under the hide of me / There's an oh such a hungry yearning burning inside of me." This powerful imagery conveys a deep, physical ache, suggesting the longing is not just mental but a fundamental part of the narrator's being. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics stems from their directness and the building intensity of the imagery. The simple, repetitive structure of "Night and day" mirrors the inescapable thought pattern. The progression from natural rhythms to a "hungry yearning burning inside" creates a palpable sense of escalating emotional need. The final plea, "Until you let me spend my life making love to you," grounds the abstract obsession in a concrete desire for resolution, making the narrator's plight feel both overwhelming and deeply human.