“When I Get There” by Pink
Pink released “When I Get There” on the 14th of February 2023 in recognition of Valentine’s Day alright, but it isn’t romantic in nature. Rather the addressee – as conceptualized by herself, co-writer Amy Wadge and producer Dave Hodges – would be the vocalist’s late father, Jim Moore.
Moore, who was 75 years old at the time of his passing, left the mortal plane in 2021. We know this because more recently, Pink publicly recognized the first anniversary of his death in 2022. In the process, the songstress implied that her high sense of self-worth is basically attributable to her dad having always been willing to defend from whatever threats materialized in her young life, “no questions asked”.
And back then, in August of 2022, Pink also put forth that she was “waiting for a song that could drift (them) both back to sleep”, which may have been her way of relaying the intention to eventually compose and drop this track.
“WHY WOULD IT BE DIFFERENT FOR HEAVEN?”
So Pink still feels a need to publicly address her late father. And in the first verse, we see that she is compelled to do so because, most simply explained, she cannot get him off of her mind.
The vocalist is also convinced that, in the afterlife, the addressee is in Heaven. So the questions she proceeds to ask him in the chorus are along the lines of inquiring about how he is faring up there. And basically, it can be gleaned that Pink is envisioning Heaven as a place where Jim is enjoying his “favorite” things, like “watch(ing) the sunset” and chillin’ with his friends, that he apparently enjoyed on Earth.
The second verse commences with the vocalist then wondering if she is still on the addressee’s mind. Throughout it all, Jim’s own affinity for music is alluded to. And as far as the thesis sentiment goes, simply deduced it would of course revolve around Pink missing her father.
But conclusively, concerning the title and all, she is looking forward to joyfully reuniting with him in the afterlife, with the vocalist taking for granted, if you will, that she too will make it to Heaven.
CONCLUSION
To note “When I Get There”, besides being issued as a single, is also the opening track on “Trustfall”, the studio album Pink is dropping through RCA Records on February 17th, just a couple of days after the release of this song. So it is obvious that its message is one she really wants the world to hear, which would be, references to the afterlife aside, that her dad had a lasting-positive impact on her life, and she loves him accordingly.
“Is there a bar up there where you’ve got a favorite chair?
Where you sit with friends and talk about the wеather?
Is there a placе you go to watch the sunset?
And, oh, is there a song you just can’t wait to share?
Yeah, I know you’ll tell me when I get there, hmm”
This song is so touching, especially for someone who had had a blessed and meaningful life with a parent who is no more. I lost my dad in the Christmas period of 2010. My dad was a carpenter and before reaching school age, my entire childhood revolves around timber yards and workshops. Till today, every time I see timber yards and workshops, I remember him.