As Time Goes By

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of enduring truths in human connection, suggesting that core emotional experiences remain constant despite the passage of time. It opens with a simple, almost declarative statement: "A kiss is still a kiss." This sets a tone of fundamental, unchanging realities that persist through life's changes. The narrator insists that these "fundamental things apply" as time moves forward, establishing a theme of timeless emotional constants. The central tension lies in the contrast between the inevitable march of time and the persistent nature of love and human relationships. While the world and circumstances may shift, the lyrics assert that the core expressions of love, like saying "I love you," are reliable. This reliability is presented as a bedrock truth, something "you can rely" on, regardless of future uncertainties. The bridge introduces a more complex emotional landscape, acknowledging that love isn't just simple affection. It brings in "passion, jealousy and hate," alongside the seemingly primal need for companionship: "Woman needs man, man must have his mate." This adds a layer of raw, sometimes messy, human reality to the idealized notion of love, suggesting that even these intense, conflicting emotions are part of the enduring human experience. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics stems from their straightforward, almost comforting, assertion of constancy. By focusing on simple, recognizable actions and emotions – a kiss, a sigh, a declaration of love – the song grounds its message in shared human experience. The repetition of "As time goes by" acts as a gentle, reassuring refrain, emphasizing that while everything changes, the essence of love and connection remains a constant, a "same old story" that the world will always "welcome."