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One, two, three
If you close the door
The night could last forever
Leave the sunshine out
And say hello to never
All the people are dancing
And they're having such fun
I wish it could happen to me
But if you close the door
I'd never have to see the day again
If you close the door
The night could last forever
Leave the wine-glass out
And drink a toast to never
Oh, someday I know
Someone will look into my eyes
And say hello
You're my very special one
But if you close the door
I'd never have to see the day again
Dark party bars, shiny Cadillac cars
And the people on subways and trains
Looking gray in the rain,
As they stand disarrayed
Oh, but people look well in the dark
And if you close the door
The night could last forever
Leave the sunshine out
And say hello to never
All the people are dancing
And they're having such fun
I wish it could happen to me
Cause if you close the door
I'd never have to see the day again
I'd never have to see the day again,
Once more
I'd never have to see the day again
If you close the door
The night could last forever
Leave the sunshine out
And say hello to never
All the people are dancing
And they're having such fun
I wish it could happen to me
But if you close the door
I'd never have to see the day again
If you close the door
The night could last forever
Leave the wine-glass out
And drink a toast to never
Oh, someday I know
Someone will look into my eyes
And say hello
You're my very special one
But if you close the door
I'd never have to see the day again
Dark party bars, shiny Cadillac cars
And the people on subways and trains
Looking gray in the rain,
As they stand disarrayed
Oh, but people look well in the dark
And if you close the door
The night could last forever
Leave the sunshine out
And say hello to never
All the people are dancing
And they're having such fun
I wish it could happen to me
Cause if you close the door
I'd never have to see the day again
I'd never have to see the day again,
Once more
I'd never have to see the day again
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You don't want to see the 'sunshine' because it signals the time to go home, you'd prefer to toast to 'never' (or something equally as insignificant). You see all these people having fun and envy them, but when it all comes down you won't do anything to help yourself, just have another drink and hope the bar never ends.
Great song
all in all, I think the hopefulness outshines the depression/isolation, mainly because of how Moe states "oh someday I know...etc." and she's right :)
my interpretation might be a little long but whatever. also, when I refer to 'Moe', I know she didn't write the lyrics, but its more suitable than referring to 'Lou', really
anyway, to me the song sounds really really melancholy for sure, but at the same time, the sweetness of Moe's voice gives this heartbreaking yet adorable hopefulness. the situation in the lyrics seems like she's found someone (who may or may not be present at the party she's at) she can't have for whatever reason, and is just daydreaming, singing these words in her head. like she's mocking her own childish longing by using such romantic yet straight-forward language, all the while acknowledging how futile her hopes and fantasies are. this aspect of the song is one way I can sort of agree with the presence of any 'suicide' here; Moe is at the end of a prolonged bout of unrequited love and as she sings these words, she laughs at the realization that this can never be. hence the weary, jaded and playful sound of it all
the whole "if you close the door" deal feels like she's fantasizing about having the guy all to herself and that he obliges to join her and make the "night" "last forever". I don't take "night" to refer to an 'emotional' night (depression) exclusively, but rather "the night could last forever" is Moe wishing to be with the object of her desire forever, enveloped in the comfort and intimacy that night time often implies
the whole 'shutting out' the sun and the day is symbolic of how nothing else would matter if she could only be with this one guy, and it's apt symbolism since she's obviously feeling very gloomy, and in such a state you are basically nocturnal; depression/loneliness can really mess with your sleep cycle, leading depressives to champion night time, when they can be alone and 'at peace'
when she talks about "the people are dancing and having such fun", she's observing her immediate surroundings, which are more or less the catalyst of all her longing. anyone who's been there knows that it sucks being in happy, jubilant crowds when there's someone on your mind and you don't have them with you, wishing badly you did and drifting off in thoughts of how great it would be if they were there
the song basically says "I wish I could be alone with you instead of here," in a way, and at the same time "I wish I could share all of this with you."
when she says "dark party bars, etc.", it makes me think of a girl in the couple days before new year's, walking big city streets feeling lonely as all hell, observing all the other people and the things they do with the people they love, feeling that she has none herself. that's not really an image in the lyrics themselves, but a background to all the longing she's experiencing in the midst of this big new year's celebration or whatever. the mentioning of parties and shiny Cadillac cars etc. also serves as a contrast to the feelings of isolation at hand, representing a bustling social world that she may never be part of, and also suggesting a big factor in said isolation
the "toast to never" just seems like Lou adding terms that fit in with the themes of partying and loneliness/depression. I take the song's title itself to be more symbolic than literal. I mean the party in question could definitely take place at an after hours bar, but to me it just seems like the concept of 'after hours' is another symbol, adding to the whole night-time loneliness feel. kind of how the painting "Nighthawks" isn't just a superficial renderring of people out at night, but speaks volumes about the kind of lives the subjects lead. nahmean?
After Hours is such a bYOOtiful way to end the album, seriously
This song has always spoken to me.
The reason this is so is because this song has a feeling of isolation attached to it, and that feeling has plagued me for much of my life.
Also, to me this song means almost choosing whether or not to be isolated.
"Oh, someday I know someone will look into my eyes
and say hello -- you're my very special one--
but if you close the door, I'd never have to see the day again."
It's as if someone's saying, "While waiting for someone to find me and love me, it's hard to not just close the door, not let anyone in, and just descend into a state of isolation."
That's what it's always meant to me, and even if it's not the intended meaning, it'll always hold that meaning for me.
Great band; great song. Love it!
A great little ditty whose perfection is only realized by Lou handing over the vocals to Maureen. He knew nobody could take him seriously singing such an innocent song, but her voice is perfect for it.