If We Have Each Other

by Alec Benjamin

"If We Have Each Other" is a heartfelt narrative song by Alec Benjamin, focusing on the enduring power of human connection in the face of life's challenges. It tells three distinct stories – a young single mother, an elderly couple, and Benjamin's own relationship with his sister – illustrating how love and support make the world's imperfections bearable. The song's emotional depth and storytelling highlight themes of hope, family, and the strength found in mutual support.

Release Date November 16, 2018

Duration 03:01

Album Narrated For You

Language EN

Emotions

anger

bittersweet

calm

excitement

fear

hope

joy

longing

love

nostalgia

sadness

sensual

tension

triumph

Mood

positive

negative

neutral

mixed

Song Analysis for If We Have Each Other

Song Meaning

The core meaning is about finding strength and solace in human relationships (family, romantic, sibling) when facing life's hardships. The world isn't perfect, but connection makes it bearable.

Song Lyrics

The song 'If We Have Each Other' narrates three distinct stories. The first verse tells of a young single mother struggling to make ends meet, finding purpose and strength in her child. The second verse depicts an an elderly couple, navigating life's hardships together, their love enduring through time. The final verse is personal, reflecting on Alec Benjamin's relationship with his sister, emphasizing their bond and the idea that they will always have each other. Each narrative reinforces the central theme of finding solace and resilience through human connection.

History of Creation

The final verse was inspired by his parents telling him that he and his sister will only have each other when they're gone. It's a personal reflection on his relationship with his sister. The song is part of his "Narrated for You" mixtape, where he acts as a "narrator" telling stories. He wrote the song with a friend.

Rhyme and Rhythm

The song likely employs a simple and consistent rhyme scheme, such as AABB or ABAB, to facilitate its narrative storytelling. The rhythm is characteristic of pop-folk, often driven by acoustic instrumentation, maintaining a steady and accessible pace that allows the lyrical content to remain central.

Stylistic Techniques

The primary literary technique is narrative storytelling, with each verse presenting a different character's story. Musically, it features his signature youthful vocal delivery, often accompanied by simple instrumentation (like acoustic guitar or piano) that puts the focus on the lyrics. The song has a conversational and sincere tone.

Cultural Influence

The song is a key track from his debut mixtape "Narrated for You". It's one of his most personal and fan-favorite songs, often highlighted in interviews and articles about his work. The music video is also noted for its poignant, simple storytelling. While specific chart data for the single itself isn't prominent, its inclusion on the charting mixtape "Narrated for You" (which reached #127 on Billboard 200) indicates its contribution to his breakthrough success.

Symbolism and Metaphors

The song is more literal storytelling than metaphorical. However, each of the three stories (the young mom, the old couple, the siblings) acts as a vignette, symbolizing different facets of enduring love and support through various life stages. The recurring phrase "The world's not perfect, but it's not that bad / If we have each other" is the central thematic statement.

Recurring Phrases & Motifs

The chorus "The world's not perfect, but it's not that bad / If we have each other..." is the main recurring motif. The role in the chorus changes with each verse ("I'll be your mother," "I'll be your lover," "I'll be your brother"), reinforcing the theme of support in different relationships.

know world hold each never perfect hand mmm got bad kind both fine though even wrote verse tell alone say mother made easy thankful lover always side brother someone nights

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Song Discussion - If We Have Each Other by Alec Benjamin

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