Song Meaning
These lyrics paint a picture of enduring love, tracing its path from youthful infatuation to a more mature, knowing affection. The narrator reflects on a past self, "young and starry-eyed," who was completely consumed by love. It was a time when "nothing but your love would do," suggesting an all-encompassing, perhaps naive, devotion.
The central tension here lies in the contrast between past idealism and present wisdom. The speaker acknowledges a time "long ago when life was new," a period marked by a heart set "aglow" by the beloved. Yet, the lyrics immediately pivot, revealing a narrator who is now "not so young or starry-eyed," having gained experience and come to "know a thing or two."
What makes these lyrics so effective is how they use this contrast to strengthen, rather than diminish, the core emotion. The repeated phrase "very much in love" acts as an anchor, a constant through the passage of time and personal growth. It suggests that this love isn't just a relic of youth; it's a chosen, affirmed state, deepened by the very wisdom that might have tempered youthful starry-eyed wonder.
Ultimately, these lines resonate because they celebrate a love that matures without fading. The narrator's present declaration, repeated for emphasis, feels more profound precisely because it comes from a place of experience. It's a testament to a connection that withstands the years, proving that some affections only grow stronger and more deliberate with time.