Darin was a very special and talented entertainer. He was a Grammy award winning singer ('Mack The Knife'), a respected member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ('Dream Lover', 'Splish Splash', 'If I Were A Carpenter') a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, a successful record producer, an Oscar nominated actor and a strong supporter of the American Heart Association. Bobby was married to actress Sandra Dee from 1960-1967. They had one son, Dodd, born in December 1961. As a result of complications from a rheumatic heart, Bobby's life was tragically cut short in 1973.
Darin's mother, Vanina Cassotto, had given birth to him when she was 16, and as a result, her parents raised Darin as though he were their son while Vanina was presented off as his elder sister. Darin did not learn the truth about his parentage until he was 32.
For more on Bobby Darin, watch "Beyond the Sea," in which Kevin Spacey portrays the entertainer.
Red Balloon
Bobby Darin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I knew of nothing that was nicer than a red balloon.
I tried to hold tightly to the string,
But still I saw it fly away
Now I am grown, and find my heart is in another's hands,
And all the love I had to give is in his care.
Can our love stay alive until another Spring?
Too soon, too soon, like a red balloon?
The song Red Balloon by Bobby Darin is a poignant reflection on life and love. The song begins with Darin reminiscing about his childhood, where he sets his heart upon a red balloon, believing that there is nothing nicer. However, despite his efforts to hold onto the string, he watches as it inevitably flies away. This metaphorical representation of childhood innocence and naivety is juxtaposed with the realities of adulthood and love.
As Darin becomes an adult, he acknowledges that his heart is in another's hands and all the love he has to give is in their care. He questions whether their love can endure until another Spring, aligning the progression of seasons with the progression of life. Whether his partner will hold onto the string, like he could not, or let it go too soon, like the red balloon, is a question that weighs heavily on Darin's mind.
Overall, the lyrics of Red Balloon speak to the fragility of life and love, and the passing of time.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was young, I set my heart upon a red balloon.
As a child, I was captivated by the beauty and wonder of a red balloon.
I knew of nothing that was nicer than a red balloon.
At that young age, I couldn't imagine anything more delightful than playing with a red balloon.
I tried to hold tightly to the string,
Although I wanted to cherish the little things in life, I struggled to maintain my grasp on them.
But still I saw it fly away
Despite my best efforts, sometimes things just slip away from us, no matter how hard we hold on.
Now I am grown, and find my heart is in another's hands,
As an adult, I've fallen in love and entrusted my heart to someone else.
And all the love I had to give is in his care.
I've given everything I have to this person, and it's up to them to take care of it.
Can our love stay alive until another Spring?
I wonder if our love will survive the ups and downs of life, until another season of renewal and hope arrives.
Will he hold the string, or let it go
I don't know if the person I love will continue to cherish our relationship, or if they will abandon it.
Too soon, too soon, like a red balloon?
I fear that our love will slip away just as quickly as the red balloon of my childhood.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RONALD LANE, STEVE MARRIOTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Daniel
on Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home
One heck of a entertainer. A life cut way to soon. RIP Mr. Darin. Remember one thing he was one of the first Emmy winners, in the late 50s. When the emmys started.