"Lost A Friend" by Gilbert O'Sullivan is a song about the emotional connection we can develop with people we admire or feel connected to, even if we never had the opportunity to meet them personally. O'Sullivan starts by talking about reading about someone special who has met an untimely end. Despite not knowing them personally, the news of their death feels like losing a friend. The lyrics then address the skeptics and cynics who believe that famous people like John Lennon or Elvis Presley only cared about money. O'Sullivan dismisses this notion, emphasizing that the loss of such influential figures feels like losing a friend. He recognizes the impact of artists like Lennon and Presley, highlighting how they have shaped our lives through their music. The song also touches on the theme of mortality. O'Sullivan acknowledges that death is an unpleasant topic but recognizes its inevitability. He expresses his frustration with the idea of leaving this world, wishing it was not true. The mention of digging graves and fear of being made redundant in that occupation points to a desire for a longer life and the fear of death. Furthermore, O'Sullivan reflects on the value of money. He suggests that money cannot buy a longer life and that its material possessions are ultimately inconsequential when faced with mortality. He encourages listeners not to be fixated on money and material things. Overall, "Lost A Friend" explores the way we form connections with people we admire or feel a connection to, even if we never had a personal relationship with them. It also highlights the universal fear of death and the insignificance of material wealth in the face of mortality.
