“See You Again” by Carrie Underwood

Some songs about death convey the anguish of loss, resonating with sadness and poignant recollections of the one who has died. But Carrie Underwood’s “See You Again” attempts to uplift with a hopeful tone and production, despite the tragedy that inspired it.

While working on songs for the movie “The Chronicles of Narnia,” the Grammy Award-winning country singer was moved to write “See You Again” after attending the funeral of a friend who died in a car accident. The opening verse describes one of the most difficult deaths to cope with – the one that comes suddenly.

Said goodbye, turned around
And you were gone, gone, gone
Faded into the setting sun

But rather than sink into grief, the song immediately embraces the idea that the spirit of the person who has passed lives on.

But I won’t cry, ’cause I know I’ll never be lonely
For you are the stars to me
You are the light I follow

The chorus, in a soaring, power-ballad lift, confirms that the protagonist expects to see that person again.

I will see you again, oh
This is not where it ends
I will carry you with me, oh
‘Til I see you again

In the second verse Underwood allows time for reflection.

I can hear those echoes in the wind at night
Calling me back in time
Back to you

But the focus remains on the future as the verse ends:

The thought of it makes me smile
You are my tomorrow

The bridge confirms the theme of reunion with the lines:

Sometimes I feel my heart is breaking
But I stay strong, and I hold on, ’cause I know
I will see you again, oh

“See You Again” clearly struck a chord when it was released in 2013 as a single from the album “Blown Away.”  It became Underwood’s eighteenth consecutive Top 10 single on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and was certified Platinum in 2015.

Liv Carter of Urban Country News wrote that “what pulls it over the line… and presumably why it has become a fan-favorite, is its sincerity in wishing to bring comfort and Underwood’s confident performance.”

In a promotional video for “Blown Away,” Underwood revealed her intent. “It just takes a positive spin on, you know, moving on out of this life – on death – and it’s not the end. In my life, in my faith and what I believe, there is a heaven. There is a God. And we’re gonna be there someday. And it’s of course very sad to lose somebody here on earth, but having that faith and knowing that you’re gonna see them again, it’s such an amazing thing, such a comforting thing… And that’s what this song is all about… It just takes a sad subject and puts a faith-filled positive spin on it.”

Although Underwood says that the song’s main theme is reuniting with loved ones in the afterlife, the video for the song suggests another possible interpretation – which she acknowledges in her behind the scenes video – of joyful reunions here on earth.