Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: folk
Song Meaning of “Esmerelda” by Ben Howard
Esmerelda is a heartfelt, soul-stirring song by Ben Howard about loss and grief. The narrator of this song is distraught over the sudden departure of a loved one, and it seems that his grief is so deep that no amount of understanding or consolation can assuage it. The narrator presumably knew his loved one by the name Esmerelda, and it is likely that he is referring to a romantic partner.
The narrator questions the possibility of a higher power orchestrating his fate, saying “Was this something God had chosen?” as if to convey the notion that his suffering was predetermined and inescapable. He further laments, “I keep coming back to you, Esmerelda, can’t see past your face,” expressing his seemingly never-ending longing for his former companion.
The narrator longs for the happiness they once shared and reminisces on the situation, picturing a life prior to the tragedy. “The love that I once made you, oh Lord, its never gonna be the same” illustrates the sadness of a love that can never again be recreated.
The narrator feels overwhelmed by the loss, however, his grief is juxtaposed with hopefulness for the future as he declares, “We go dancing in the memory of the times that we had, cause I’m lost without you.” His loss is not meant to be permanent, but instead a learning opportunity, as he ultimately finds solace in striving to move forward.
The central idea of this song is that grief can be a powerful, lingering emotion, and it can be all-consuming. As the song progresses, the narrator discovers that grief is inevitable but manageable. The message of the song is to embrace love with an understanding that it may be lost, but that it is worth the risks in continuing to take.