If We Have Each Other by Alec Benjamin Lyrics Meaning – Unpacking the Anthem of Unconditional Support
Lyrics
On the east side of the city, she was working every day
Cleaning dishes in the evening, she could barely stay awake
She was clinging to the feeling that her luck was gonna change
And, ‘cross town she would take the bus at night
To a one bedroom apartment, and when she’d turn on the light
She would sit down at the table, tell herself that it’s alright
She was waiting on the day she hoped her baby would arrive
She’d never be alone
Have someone to hold
And when nights were cold
She’d say
The world’s not perfect, but it’s not that bad
If we got each other, and that’s all we have
I will be your mother, and I’ll hold your hand
You should know I’ll be there for you
When the world’s not perfect
When the world’s not kind
If we have each other then we’ll both be fine
I will be your mother, and I’ll hold your hand
You should know I’ll be there for you
They were 90 and were living out their days
On the west side of the city next to where they got engaged
They had pictures on the walls of all the memories that they’d made
And though life was never easy, they were thankful that they stayed
With each other, and though some times were hard
Even when she made him angry he would never break her heart
No, they didn’t have the money to afford a fancy car
But they never had to travel ’cause they’d never be apart
Even at the end
Their love was stronger than
The day that they first met
They’d say
The world’s not perfect, but it’s not that bad
If we got each other, and that’s all we have
I will be your lover, and I’ll hold your hand
You should know I’ll be there for you
When the world’s not perfect
When the world’s not kind
If we have each other then we’ll both be fine
I will be your lover, and I’ll hold your hand
You should know I’ll be there for you
You should know I’ll be there for you
I’m 23, and my folks are getting old
I know they don’t have forever and I’m scared to be alone
So I’m thankful for my sister, even though sometimes we fight
When high school wasn’t easy, she’s the reason I survived
I know she’d never leave me and I hate to see her cry
So I wrote this verse to tell her that I’m always by her side
I wrote this verse to tell her that I’m always by her side
I wrote this verse to tell her that
The world’s not perfect, but it’s not that bad
If we got each other, and that’s all we have
I will be your brother, and I’ll hold your hand
You should know I’ll be there for you
When the world’s not perfect
When the world’s not kind
If we have each other then we’ll both be fine
I will be your brother, and I’ll hold your hand
You should know I’ll be there for you
You should know I’ll be there for you
In an era where individualism often overshadows collective empathy, Alec Benjamin’s stirring anthem, ‘If We Have Each Other,’ emerges as a sweet reminder of the timeless power of human connection. The song unfolds like a three-act narrative, painting intimate portraits of lives woven together through the threads of unwavering support. It dances across the lines of kinship, illustrating the universal truth that love and connection are the true cornerstones of the human experience.
While the melodies loop in comforting repetition, Benjamin’s poignant storytelling strikes a deep chord, nurturing the soul like a lullaby for the disenchanted. His evocative lyrics serve as brushstrokes, depicting scenes that span the lifetime—the struggle of a young mother, the enduring love of an aging couple, and the candid reflection of a sibling fearing solitude. Let us peel away the layers of ‘If We Have Each Other’ to reveal the rich tapestry of meaning woven into every verse.
Illuminating Life’s Intimate Tableaus
Alec Benjamin commences his tale with the visceral image of a young woman’s grit. Nineteen and on the precipice of motherhood, she embodies the throes of struggle often hidden within cityscapes. This opening verse serves as an ode to unseen warriors—the single parents navigating the rough seas of life’s consequences, anchored solely by the hope of a better tomorrow for their offspring. Benjamin’s song captures their unwavering resilience amid a world that’s eager to turn a blind eye.
By shining a light on personal battles, the artist underscores the solemn reality that no triumph is too small, no effort insignificant. And as the young woman consoles herself with the promise of never being alone, it is not just the child in her womb she refers to, but the universal need for companionship and solidarity in life’s toughest moments.
The Echo of Timeless Devotion
Transitioning from the struggle of youth to the testament of age, Benjamin paints the portrait of an elderly couple. Their journey through the ebbs and flows of life reveals a heartening truth: love is enduring. With walls adorned by the snapshots of lived memories, the couple reflects the quiet contentment found not in material possessions, but within a shared existence.
The lyrics ‘Even at the end / Their love was stronger than / The day that they first met’ distill the essence of what it means to grow old together—remaining side by side, a force united against time’s relentless march. In celebrating this narrative, Benjamin offers a glimpse into one of the most intimate and natural progressions of human companionship.
Siblings: The Underrated Pillars in the Emotional Fortress
Veering from the macrocosm of life cycles, the third verse finds Benjamin confronting his mortality through the lens of family bonds. At 23, he grapples with the recognition of his parents’ aging, confronted by the numbing fear of eventual solitude—a universal dread that dwells in the shadows of adulthood.
It’s within this sober meditation that the songwriter acknowledges his sister, the unsung comrade holding his world together. In doing so, Benjamin shines a warm glow on the complex but ultimately unshakeable ties between siblings. This acknowledgment is an intimate celebration of the unrecognized kinship that shapes and saves us during our most formative and fragile moments.
Unveiling the Hidden Meaning: Togetherness As Our True Refuge
On the surface, ‘If We Have Each Other’ is a series of vignettes tethered by common sentiments of love and resilience. Look closer, and you’ll find Benjamin articulating a profound philosophy: the notion that human connection is our greatest sanctuary against the world’s imperfections. Our shared experience and emotional support are the lifelines that promise redemption from even the darkest abyss of hardship.
This hidden meaning—a manifesto of companionship—delves into the collective human conscience, imploring listeners to recognize the inherent power of ‘we’ over ‘I.’ In championing togetherness, the song becomes not just a personal reflection but a universal anthem that resonates across hearts and borders.
The Memorable Lines That Carve Themselves into Our Collective Consciousness
‘The world’s not perfect, but it’s not that bad / If we got each other, and that’s all we have.’ These lines form the spinal cord of the whole song, a refrain that resurges throughout, binding the stories, the sentiments, and the various stages of human life. It’s a line that Benjamin extends like an olive branch to the world—ripe with solace, rich in assurance.
Alec Benjamin doesn’t simply offer lip service to idyllic notions of love and support; he distills complex emotions into simple truths. This core message begets a mantra that hums with the vibration of shared humanity—an anthem envisioning a world where togetherness triumphs over trials, and love is a universal language needing no translation.
