Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: emo
Song Meaning of “Circa ’46” by The Rocket Summer
The Rocket Summer’s song ‘Circa ’46’ is an ode to moving forward. The song paints a picture of a world in ruin, with references to coffins being made, bombs bursting in air, crashed planes and the perception of no return. But the focus of the song is moving forward, even in the midst of such hardship.
The narrator of the song is reflecting on a specific moment in history, framed in the lens of the current situation. The title and refrain clearly reference post-WWII and the promise of a new world and new possibilities for the future. Even in a time of darkness and destruction, it was possible to dream of a future without pain.
The first verse introduces the listener to the narrator’s perspective, beginning with references to the weight of the world and the moment of their life they find themselves in. The describing imagery of troops, flags, and sheer destruction presents the suffering of a hectic era that must eventually pass.
The chorus changes styles, leaning heavily on a brass-based instrumentation. The lyrics capture a time of fear, hardship, and confusion, such as when “past wars were fought and dead generations taught”. Yet it is followed up with a counter-balanced message of hope and started over. It is a tribute to the joy of liberation and progress, saying “we’ll keep moving on” as a way to cope with the uncertainty of the era.
Even though the song references a specific time in history, the overall message of looking ahead is still applicable today. For any era in time when there is darkness and confusion, it is important to keep the hope of something better alive and to “keep moving on.”