Know By Now

The speaker describes a love that has survived uncertainty and difficulty. At first, the couple broke rules, ignored consequences, and hoped their situation would change. The speaker recalls feeling lonely and longing to be close to the beloved. As hope grows, the mood shifts toward relief and confidence: love now seems possible and lasting.

The comparison to a “castaway” suggests someone stranded and isolated, waiting for help; the beloved’s arrival feels like rescue. Hope is also compared to a ray of sunlight on a cloudy day, a familiar image for a small sign of comfort during a hard time. “Love can conquer all” is a broad saying that presents love as stronger than obstacles, though the lyrics do not explain exactly what those obstacles were.

The repeated claim that the beloved “ought to know” how important they are may sound reassuring, but it can also suggest that the speaker wants their feelings recognized without having to explain them again. The song treats love as a source of happiness and redemption, yet its earlier references to guilt, pain, and consequences leave some uncertainty about what the couple went through. The ending is hopeful, but it does not spell out how their difficulties were resolved.