Haven't We Been Here Before

Haven't We Been Here Before
Written by Tommy Shaw
Lead Vocals by Tommy Shaw

Haven't we been here before
Footsteps lead down to the note on the door
That says I can't stay here anymore

And haven't we felt this same way
Sure in our hearts, but afraid just the same
To say I can't stay one minute more

You might think that it's hopeless
Beyond our control
But that's not necessarily so
Can't you see there's a chance
For the daring young soul
Who's finally learned to say no

No, I won't be misused
Ignored or refused
And I won't just give up and let go

So tonight hold me close to you
And don't give up what's important to you
And as time rolls on
Nothing can stand in our way

And I believe if we learn from the past
We'd find keys to unlock every door
Dark would turn into light
We'd be strong
We'd be right

So tonight hold me close to you
And don't give up what's important to you
And as time rolls on
Nothing will stand in our way

And I believe if we learn from the past
We'd say haven't we been here before
Oh, and I believe if we open our hearts
We'd find keys to unlock every door

Hearts could change overnight
We'd be strong...We'd be right
So stay with me now
The future is ours
And we'll be the ones who go on

Interpretation

The next day after Jonathan Chance returns home from his fateful meeting with Kilroy, Jonathan's girlfriend comes over after work for the evening.  As one of the few people he can trust, he tells her what he learned about Kilroy's false conviction.  The risk he took in jamming the MMM airwaves paid off, and they are ready to move to the next stage of their movement to reclaim freedom of expression.

He remarks how the movement toward musical censorship is similar to the prohibition era when the 18th Amendment prohibited alcohol nationally but people found ways to get alcohol anyway.  He is convinced of the need to stand up for what he believes and is glad to have her as a partner and confidante. The key to success is to stand up for what they believe, believe in themselves, and work together to accomplish what seems impossible.