"By Your Side" by Tom Gregory tells the story of someone who has lived by the sea for sixteen years and has always felt the need to leave their town. They have packed their bags countless times in their mind but have never actually left. However, everything changes when they unexpectedly meet someone who captivates them. The person they meet has a profound effect on the town and the narrator's perspective. They don't understand what it is about this person, but they find themselves wanting to stay in the town and be by their side. The narrator realizes that this person brings light and happiness into their life, making the sun shine brighter. The lyrics describe how the narrator and this person spend time together, walking by the waves and watching the sky fall. They cherish every moment, and the narrator is willing to follow this person wherever they go. The song emphasizes the impact this person has on the narrator's desire to leave the town. They were previously determined to leave, but now they can't help but want to stay and be by this person's side. The lyrics convey a sense of longing and the need to be close to them. The chorus repeats the refrain, "Ooh ooh, I can't help it," expressing the narrator's inability to resist their feelings for this person. It's the person's presence that has changed everything for the narrator, and they can't explain why. The bridge of the song takes a more introspective tone, as the narrator realizes that they were once walking in shadows until this person came into their life. The repetition of "I was walking in shadows, then you were right there beside me" suggests that this person brought light and warmth to the narrator's life. Overall, "By Your Side" portrays the transformative power of love and the way it can change our perspective on life. The song captures the narrator's desire to stay in a town they once wanted to leave, solely because of the person they have fallen for.
