Once Upon A Time
Burdon Eric Lyrics
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I was in love with a lady she treated me so cool
I was driving an Chevy '72
It had four on the floor, 120 it would do
And I remember Marvin Gaye singing
Let's get it on
There was a war baby somewhere across the sea
But I remember Martin Luther King
Lord he was the man baby that gave us all a dream
And I remember Marvin Gaye singing
Let's get it on
Lord he made me so strong
I remember Marvin Gaye singing
Let's get it on
We used to have sweet music in the park
Way up in Monterrey they sang througout the dark
And you used to wear girl that gypsy dress
When you stroll on by all the boys they want a chance
And I remember Marvin Gaye singing
Let's get it on
He made my love so strong
I remember Otis Redding
Sitting on the dock of the bay
Oh lord he went away
I remember Sam Cooke singing
Bring it on home to me
From your love I can be free
I remember Elvis Presley and the blues suede shoes
Lord they give me the blues
I remember Marvin Gaye singing
Let's get it on
The song "Once Upon A Time" by Eric Burdon is a nostalgic trip down memory lane. The lyrics describe his teenage years and the things that he remembers from that time. He talks about being in love with a lady who treated him cool, driving a Chevy '72, and how Marvin Gaye's song "Let's Get It On" made him feel strong. He also mentions the war somewhere across the sea and how he didn't want to fight because he was in love. He remembers Martin Luther King Jr. and how he gave us all a dream. The song is a tribute to all these memories and how they shaped him into the man he is today.
The first stanza talks about Eric's love interest back in high school. He reminisces about driving a Chevy '72, a car that was popular during that time, and how it had "four on the floor, 120 it would do." The car's speed and power must have impressed his love interest, and he seemed to be proud of it. He remembers how Marvin Gaye's song "Let's Get It On" made him feel strong and confident. Maybe the song helped him in his courtship of the lady he was in love with.
The second verse talks about the war across the sea and how Eric didn't want to go fight because he was in love with his lady. He mentions Martin Luther King Jr. and how he gave us all a dream. Martin Luther King Jr. was a civil rights activist who fought for equal rights for African Americans, and his work inspired many people like Eric Burdon. The song ends with Eric remembering other great singers like Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, and Elvis Presley.
Line by Line Meaning
Once upon a time when I was in high school
Back in the day when I was a teenager in high school
I was in love with a lady she treated me so cool
I was smitten with a girl who treated me very well
I was driving an Chevy '72
I owned a 1972 Chevrolet
It had four on the floor, 120 it would do
It had four-speed manual transmission and could reach a maximum speed of 120mph
And I remember Marvin Gaye singing Let's get it on
I recall the song 'Let's Get It On' by Marvin Gaye
There was a war baby somewhere across the sea
There was a conflict happening overseas
I didn't want to go to fight girl 'cause you were all loving me
I didn't want to go to war because you loved me and I didn't want to leave you
But I remember Martin Luther King Lord he was the man baby that gave us all a dream
Despite the war, I remember Martin Luther King's leadership and his message of hope for all
And I remember Marvin Gaye singing Let's get it on Lord he made me so strong
Even though times were tough, Marvin Gaye's music helped build my strength
We used to have sweet music in the park
In the past, we used to enjoy music in the park
Way up in Monterrey they sang througout the dark
In Monterrey, people would sing even when it was dark outside
And you used to wear girl that gypsy dress
You used to wear a gypsy dress, girl
When you stroll on by all the boys they want a chance
Whenever you passed by, all the boys wanted to talk to you
And I remember Marvin Gaye singing Let's get it on He made my love so strong
Marvin Gaye's music made my love even stronger
I remember Otis Redding Sitting on the dock of the bay Oh lord he went away
I recall Otis Redding's song 'Sitting on the Dock of the Bay' and his untimely death
I remember Sam Cooke singing Bring it on home to me From your love I can be free
I remember the song 'Bring It On Home To Me' by Sam Cooke and how it made me feel free
I remember Elvis Presley and the blues suede shoes Lord they give me the blues
I remember Elvis Presley's famous song 'Blue Suede Shoes' and how it expressed sadness
I remember Marvin Gaye singing Let's get it on
Once more, I remember Marvin Gaye's song 'Let's Get It On'
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Robert Bradley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind