Start All Over Again (2017 version)

Song Meaning

Van Morrison's "EGGE" shimmers with the quiet resilience that's become a hallmark of his later work. The track, built around the cyclical idea of renewal, feels less like a grand statement and more like a personal mantra, whispered against the backdrop of passing seasons. The central theme, predictably, revolves around the concept of starting anew, but Morrison avoids simplistic notions of rebirth. Instead, he couches it in the lived experience of enduring hardship and recognizing the potential for growth even after weathering the metaphorical winter, spring, summer, and fall. The repeated exhortation to "start all over again" isn't a naive call to abandon the past, but an invitation to integrate it, to see the colors in the fields precisely *because* of the journey already undertaken. It acknowledges the weight of time while simultaneously pointing toward "horizons yet to see." What makes "EGGE" compelling is its delicate balance between individual agency and shared experience. The lyrics, though sparse, suggest a dialogue, a passing of wisdom: "That's why I'm giving you the time/ You wanted your own mind." This isn't a solitary quest for reinvention; it's a collaborative endeavor, a recognition that the path forward is "up to you and me." This subtle shift from individual struggle to shared journey deepens the song meaning, suggesting that renewal is not just a personal act but a relational one. The "you" in the song seems to be someone Morrison is encouraging, and perhaps, working alongside. Ultimately, the repeated phrase "start all over again" becomes a form of meditative incantation. In Van Morrison's song, the sentiment is a grounding force, a reminder that even amidst the complexities of life, the opportunity for a fresh perspective, a new beginning, always remains. The simplicity of the lyrics is deceptive; beneath the surface lies a profound understanding of the human capacity for adaptation and the enduring power of hope. This song feels like an affirmation delivered with the weathered grace of someone who's seen many winters turn to spring.