Once in a While
1995 Studio Cast Lyrics

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Once in a while, she don't want to call you
Speaking on the telephone
And once in your life, she won't want to know you
You look around
The one you've found, she is gone

And that's all the time that it takes
For a heart to turn to stone

The sweeter the wine
The harder to make the break
You hear something about someone
You'd thought you'd known

So baby don't cry like there's no tomorrow
After the night there's a brand new day
And there'll be no pain, and no more sorrow
So wash your face
And phone my place, it'll be OK

And that's all the time that it takes
For a heart to beat again
So give me a sign
That a lover makes

You look around
The one you've found is back again

Overall Meaning

In "Once in a While", the singer is talking to someone who has just gone through a heartbreak. The person's girlfriend left them, and they are struggling to cope. The singer offers words of comfort, encouraging them not to cry and assuring them that things will get better. The chorus reminds the listener that heartbreak can turn a heart to stone, but also that it doesn't take long for a heart to start beating again.

Line by Line Meaning

Once in a while, she don't want to call you
Sometimes, she doesn't want to talk to you on the phone

And once in your life, she won't want to know you
At some point, she might not be interested in knowing you

You look around
You search for someone else

The one you've found, she is gone
But the one you've found is no longer there

And that's all the time that it takes
It only takes a short period of time

For a heart to turn to stone
For someone to become emotionally numb

The sweeter the wine
The more enjoyable something is

The harder to make the break
The more difficult it is to move on

You hear something about someone
You receive information about someone

You'd thought you'd known
Someone you thought you knew well

So baby don't cry like there's no tomorrow
Don't get too upset and lose hope