Billy first became known to fans in the early 1990s with his appearance on "Star Search." He later earned a recording contract with Liberty Records and rose to national stardom with a string of Top 10 hits on Billboard magazine's country singles chart. His debut song, 1991's "Only Here For a Little While," rose into the Top 5, while the follow up, "Somewhere in My Broken Heart," repeated the feat. "Somewhere in My Broken Heart" won the 1992 Academy of Country Music award for Song of the Year; he also took home the ACM's New Male Vocalist award..
Dean's string of hits continued in the early- and mid-1990s, with songs like "You Don't Count the Cost" (1991); "Only the Wind," "Billy the Kid" and "If There Hadn't Been You" (all 1992); "Tryin' to Hide a Fire in the Dark" (1993); "We Just Disagree" (a remake of the 1970s Dave Mason hit) (1993); "It's What I Do" and "That Girl's Been Spying on Me" (both 1996).
In 1991 Dean wrote and sang the theme song to the ABC animated television series Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa. It is titled "Up on the Mesa".
During the late 1990s, his career slowed down a bit, although he made several television appearances, including "One Life to Live" and "Wings." He and Alison Krauss sang backup on Kenny Rogers' 2000 single "Buy Me a Rose". At the time, the song made Kenny the oldest artist to score a country #1; it also marked the only time that Dean reached the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.
In 2004, Dean was signed to Asylum Curb, where he began a comeback with the single "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" (a remake of John Denver's classic). In early 2005, he released the album Let Them Be Little, which featured both "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" and the title track. "Let Them Be Little" was co-written by Richie McDonald, who at the time was the lead singer of Lonestar; Lonestar also recorded the song on their 2005 album Let's Be Us Again. Dean's version of the song became his first Top Ten hit on the country charts in nearly nine years.
Once in a While
Billy Dean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That one in a million heart
So pure and so strong
They can face up to the tears
And somehow still find a smile
That we only get every once in a while
Once in a while someone has the eyes
That never tells lies
They can get you on your feet
To walk that extra mile
We only see every once in a while
That's why we call them heroes
That's why we know their names
And once you've heard their stories
You're never quite the same
That's why we call them heroes
The best thing they ever do
Is to point to the best in us all
And say: "If I can, you can too."
Once in a while, I still hear his voice
That one in a million sound
Like two laughin' boys
He would hate it if we cried
That never was his style
Oh, we still miss him every once in a while
Oh
They can face up to the tears
And somehow still find a smile
That we only get every once in a while
Oh, how I miss him every once in a while
The song "Once In A While" by Billy Dean is a touching tribute to an individual who comes into our lives and leaves a lasting impact. The lyrics depict the qualities possessed by these special individuals, who have a heart that is pure and strong enough to face tears while still managing to find a smile. These people are the ones who have a look that never lies, and they can motivate us to go the extra mile. The song talks about heroes, and how they inspire us to become better versions of ourselves by showing us the best in us all.
The chorus of the song highlights how these individuals are the reason why they are called heroes, and why they are never forgotten. They are the ones who leave a lasting impression on us and change our lives forever. The lyrics explore how they do this by pointing out the best in us all and saying, "If I can, you can too." Through their actions and words, these heroes inspire us to keep going, even during our darkest moments.
Overall, the song "Once In A While" is a beautiful tribute to the heroes who come into our lives and make a difference. The lyrics capture the essence of their impact and how their presence and actions inspire us to be the best versions of ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Once in a while someone comes along
Occasionally, there are individuals who emerge
That one in a million heart
Who possess a heart that is unique and rare
So pure and so strong
One that is innocent and uncorrupted yet, simultaneously, robust and resilient
They can face up to the tears
These individuals have the capacity to confront the hardest of moments in life and overcome them
And somehow still find a smile
They can emerge from adversity, somehow, with a smile on their face
That we only get every once in a while
These individuals are rare, and we do not encounter them frequently
Once in a while someone has the eyes
Similar to hearts, occasionally, there are individuals who have a particular gaze
That one in a million look
A glance that is unusual, distinctive and captivating
That never tells lies
This gaze is honest and does not deceive
They can get you on your feet
They can inspire you to take action
To walk that extra mile
To take on challenges that are over and above what is required
We only see every once in a while
These individuals are rare and not seen frequently
That's why we call them heroes
This is why these people are called heroes
That's why we know their names
Their actions make them well known to us
And once you've heard their stories
When we hear about their lives, actions and accomplishments
You're never quite the same
We are changed by their stories, inspired by their actions, and humbled by their greatness
The best thing they ever do
Their greatest accomplishment in life
Is to point to the best in us all
Is to inspire us to be the best version of ourselves
And say: "If I can, you can too."
They show us that if they could achieve greatness, we can too
Once in a while, I still hear his voice
Sometimes, I hear the voice of someone who has passed away
That one in a million sound
A voice that was unique and rare
Like two laughin' boys
It reminds me of two boys laughing heartily together
He would hate it if we cried
The person who has passed away would not want us to cry
That never was his style
Crying was not a part of his character or manner
Oh, we still miss him every once in a while
Although he is gone, we still miss him sometimes
Oh
An exclamation of a deep emotional feeling
They can face up to the tears
These special individuals have the capacity to overcome the tears and heartache of life
And somehow still find a smile
They can emerge from difficulty, remaining optimistic and positive
That we only get every once in a while
These rare individuals are not often found
Oh, how I miss him every once in a while
I miss him deeply sometimes
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN BETTIS, STEVE DORFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MorrisBranch-jf6dq
One of the most underrated songs of the 90s!!
@MorrisBranch-jf6dq
Point blank period
@MorrisBranch-jf6dq
The most underrated movie of the 90s. Can we give the.great late Luke Perry his flowers??!! No one could have showed how great Lane Frost was but him!! Billy Dean & Luke Perry..Thank y'all for making a great song
@bethy-lou3307
Beautiful tribute to Brent E the Winner. Thanks to Glenn Yates for requesting and thank you, Dan for playing it. Brent will be missed by all who knew and loved him and his channels. Rest In Peace my dear friend, Brent. There are no problems or pain in Heaven. We will always love and remember you. God bless everyone on this channel.
@bestclassiccountrymusic8319
Thanks so much Beth D ...very happy you enjoyed this little gem...thanks Glen for requesting and dedicating this to Brent...blessings Beth
@isaiah2536
Lanes death hurt me growing up and honestly all these years later as a 24 year old now, it hurts me no less than it did as a kid. RIP COWBOY💔
@yarikzacruz7326
Love this song and the movie
@vernonwallace3059
Any one have friends who can stop you from hurting and just listen to this song it really goose to them
@marryannlamb9853
Today is two years ago we lost our dear friend . You will always be in our hearts thanks Dan for this song in memory of Brent.
@marryannlamb9853
Came back here Dan our first Christmas without Brent I always remember him wishing a merry Christmas.Brent will never be forgotten.