One Day At A Time
Calloway Lyrics


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What's the matter with you, pops? You sure look beat about the gills, this bright.
Oh, man, that soft cut out on me.
What you sayin'?
Yes, she copped a final on me.
I know you was too proud.
Solid M-O, man, but that's the last time for that jive.
I know you gonna tell her somethin'.
For the last time, I cried over you.
For the last time, I sighed over you.
I found out I can do without you.
Never thought that I could,
Never dreamed that I would.
Be feeling like I do, and not be feeling blue.
For the first time, there's a song in my heart,
Since the last time we drifted apart;
And when you said: "I'm afraid it's all over."
That was the first time I knew,
For the last time, now, I cried over you!





For the last time, for the very last time, baby.
For the last time, your daddy has cried... cried over you!

Overall Meaning

In these lyrics, Calloway tells a story of heartbreak and acceptance. The conversation between two people sets the scene, with one person noticing that the other looks worn out and downtrodden. The response reveals that the cause of this exhaustion is a recent breakup or rejection, leaving the person feeling hurt and defeated. The listener acknowledges that the person may have pride or dignity that prevented them from expressing these emotions earlier. However, they sense that this time will be different, and the person will finally confront their feelings.


The chorus then begins, with the singer expressing that they have cried over this person for the last time. These tears represent the deep emotional pain caused by the breakup. The repetition of the phrase "for the last time" emphasizes the finality of their emotions and suggests that this experience has pushed them to a breaking point. The singer also sighs over this person for the last time, indicating a sense of relief that they have reached a point where they no longer need to depend on them for happiness.


The next lines reveal a newfound strength and resilience. The singer realizes that they can actually live without this person in their life, something they never thought possible before. The feeling of being blue and melancholic has been transformed, and a sense of freedom emerges. They are experiencing a "first time" where a song fills their heart, symbolizing the joy and optimism they now feel in the absence of their former partner.


When the other person says, "I'm afraid it's all over," it becomes clear that their rejection was the catalyst for the singer's personal transformation. This admission from the person who caused the heartbreak becomes a pivotal moment of realization for the singer. They finally understand that their crying and suffering over this relationship is truly at an end. The repeated line, "For the last time, now, I cried over you!" conveys a sense of closure and resolution, as they declare that this pain is permanently in the past.


Overall, these lyrics capture the journey of healing and moving on from a painful breakup. They depict the progression from feeling hurt and defeated to discovering one's independence and finding inner strength. The song serves as an anthem of empowerment and acceptance, urging the listener to leave behind the pain of the past and embrace a hopeful future.


Line by Line Meaning

What's the matter with you, pops? You sure look beat about the gills, this bright.
Hey, Dad, what's wrong? You look really tired and down today.


Oh, man, that soft cut out on me.
Oh, man, that person I cared about left me abruptly.


What you sayin'?
What are you trying to tell me?


Yes, she copped a final on me.
Yes, she ended our relationship for good.


I know you was too proud.
I know you were too proud to admit your feelings.


Solid M-O, man, but that's the last time for that jive.
You had a strong persona, man, but that's the last time you'll act like that.


I know you gonna tell her somethin'.
I know you want to express something to her.


For the last time, I cried over you.
This is the final time I shed tears because of you.


For the last time, I sighed over you.
This is the last time I sighed because of you.


I found out I can do without you.
I realized I can live without you.


Never thought that I could, Never dreamed that I would.
I never thought or imagined that I would be able to.


Be feeling like I do, and not be feeling blue.
I have these emotions, but surprisingly, I'm not feeling sad.


For the first time, there's a song in my heart, Since the last time we drifted apart;
For the first time, I feel joy and happiness since the last time we separated.


And when you said: "I'm afraid it's all over."
And when you said, 'I'm afraid our relationship is finished.'


That was the first time I knew, For the last time, now, I cried over you!
That was the moment I realized, for the final time, I shed tears because of you!


For the last time, for the very last time, baby.
This is the absolute final time, my dear.


For the last time, your daddy has cried... cried over you!
For the last time, your father has shed tears... tears because of you!




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CAB CALLOWAY, FRANK FROEBA, JACK PALMER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Geraldo Barbosa

Sunshine Winter...Nice Songs...Thank You!

Phar Sly

1990's in congo.

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