"We're Alright Now" by John Hiatt is a song about finding happiness and contentment despite past struggles and mistakes. The lyrics express gratitude for the present moment and a sense of relief that the troubles from before have been overcome. The song begins by acknowledging that things have been going well lately. The protagonist reflects on a period when they were constantly on the run, expecting punishment for past wrongdoings. But now, they have no reason to worry and can genuinely smile. The chorus emphasizes the strong love between the protagonist and their partner. They reassure each other that they are "alright now," even when things may go wrong. The love they share provides them with the strength to face any challenges that come their way. The lyrics then shift to the theme of gratitude. The protagonist realizes that showing appreciation can have a significant impact on their well-being. They compare it to the feeling of eating ice cream, as something they need to experience every day. The song acknowledges the "heavy lifting" that has been done to get to this point. The protagonist didn't necessarily earn or deserve the goodness in their life, but they are grateful for it nonetheless. They didn't even have to ask for it; it just happened naturally. In the next part of the chorus, the protagonist invites their partner to stay with them. They suggest crying some tears and singing songs together to commemorate the past struggles they've overcome. They reassure their partner that the bad old days are gone. Overall, "We're Alright Now" is a song about appreciating the present moment, finding happiness despite past difficulties, and cherishing the love and gratitude that can bring stability and joy.
