"Now That The Magic Has Gone" by Joe Cocker is a heartfelt song about the end of a romantic relationship and the loss of the special connection that once existed between two people. The lyrics describe the experiences and hardships the narrator has gone through in their life, including sorrow, heartache, and pain. They mention being deceived by the appearance of happiness (burned by the sunshine) and being overwhelmed by difficult times (drowned in the pouring rain). The narrator also refers to having numerous lovers but feeling a lack of genuine love from them. The song touches on the feelings of being wrongly accused or convicted of things they didn't do, symbolizing the struggles and injustices faced by the narrator. However, everything changes when the person the song is directed to came into their life and "set them free" from their metaphorical prison. The chorus emphasizes the central theme of the song, stating that now that the magic of their relationship is gone, there is no point in holding on. Despite the previous love and connection they shared, the narrator's partner wants to walk away, leaving nothing left to say. The loss of the magic is described as a love that can no longer bring tenderness, only cruelty. The narrator's mind tells them to let go, but their heart continues to question why. The lyrics suggest that love is not always a blessing, but rather a curse, as it can bring pain and disappointment. Overall, "Now That The Magic Has Gone" portrays the struggle of accepting the end of a relationship and confronting the realization that the connection and love once present are now lost. It explores the conflicting emotions of wanting to hold on and questioning why the magic disappeared in the first place.
