If You Commence Before the Start

Song Meaning

The lyrics present a disorienting scenario where the narrator grapples with the fundamental question of origin. The repeated phrase "If you commence before the start, where do you begin?" acts as a central, circular paradox, suggesting a state of being that precedes any definable beginning. This creates an immediate sense of unease and existential confusion, as if trapped in a loop with no clear entry point. The core tension arises from the narrator's contemplation of societal expectations and parental judgment in response to these unconventional actions. The imagined scenarios – throwing shoes in the air, going out without a tie or undergarments, or entering a bathroom without washing hands – are presented as minor transgressions that provoke extreme reactions from "mother" and "father." The lyrics suggest a fear of disapproval, but the underlying confusion about *why* these actions are wrong, given the premise of starting before the beginning, amplifies the anxiety. The most striking aspect of the craft is the relentless repetition of the opening question, mirroring the narrator's own inability to escape the thought. The mundane, almost childish examples of rule-breaking are juxtaposed with the profound, abstract question of origin. This contrast highlights a feeling of being adrift, where even simple actions feel out of place because the foundational context for those actions has been removed. The imagined parental reactions, like a mother going "spare" or a father changing his "plans," feel disproportionate, hinting at a deeper, unarticulated anxiety about control and order. Ultimately, these lyrics resonate because they tap into a primal fear of being out of sync with the world. The writing effectively uses a simple, almost nursery-rhyme-like structure to explore a complex, unsettling idea. The ambiguity of the "start" and the narrator's place within it leaves the listener with a lingering sense of disorientation, making the question of "where do you begin?" feel deeply personal and universally unnerving.