Lyrics: My Love My Life
I’ve seen it on your face
Tells me more than any worn-out old phrase
So now we’ll go separate ways
Never again we two
Never again, nothing I can do
Like an image passing by, my love, my life
In the mirror of your eyes, my love, my life
I can see it all so clearly
(See it all so clearly)
Answer me sincerely
(Answer me sincerely)
Was it a dream, a lie?
Like reflections of your mind, my love, my life
Are the words you try to find, my love, my life
But I know I don’t possess you
So go away, God bless you
You are still my love and my life
Still my one and only
I’ve watched you look away
Tell me is it really so hard to say?
Oh, this has been my longest day
Sitting here close to you
Knowing that maybe tonight we’re through
Like an image passing by, my love, my life
In the mirror of your eyes, my love, my life
I can see it all so clearly
(See it all so clearly)
Answer me sincerely
(Answer me sincerely)
Was it a dream, a lie?
Like reflections of your mind, my love, my life
Are the words you try to find, my love, my life
But I know I don’t possess you
So go away, God bless you
You are still my love and my life
Yes I know I don’t possess you
So go away, God bless you
You are still my love and my life
Still my one and only
Understanding the Heartbreak in “My Love My Life”
The End of a Relationship
“My Love My Life” by ABBA is a poignant ballad that beautifully captures the sorrow and acceptance that comes with the end of a meaningful relationship. The opening lines immediately set a somber tone, as the narrator observes unspoken feelings in their partner’s expression—emotions that say more than words ever could. The acknowledgment of parting ways and the inevitability of separation is delivered with a quiet resignation, highlighting the pain of losing someone who once meant everything.
Reflections and Memories
The recurring imagery of mirrors and reflections throughout the song emphasizes introspection and the lingering presence of the past. The lyrics, “Like an image passing by, my love, my life / In the mirror of your eyes,” suggest that memories of love remain vivid, even as the relationship fades. Questions about whether the experience was real or merely an illusion (“Was it a dream, a lie?”) reveal the narrator’s struggle to come to terms with what has been lost.
Letting Go with Grace
Despite the pain, there is a sense of maturity and grace in the narrator’s acceptance. Phrases like “But I know I don’t possess you / So go away, God bless you” show a willingness to let go without bitterness. The song’s emotional core lies in this bittersweet farewell, where love endures in memory, even as both individuals move forward separately. The closing lines reinforce this idea, with the narrator reaffirming that their former partner will always be their “one and only,” even if only in their heart.
Song Credits
Songwriters: Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus
Release Year: 1976
Label: Polar Music