You Only Live Twice
City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra / Nic Raine Lyrics


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You only live twice, or so it seems
One life for yourself, and one for your dreams

You drift through the years and life seems tame
Till one dream appears and love is its name

And love is a stranger who'll beckon you on
Don't think of the danger or the stranger is gone

This dream is for you, so pay the price
Make one dream come true, you only live twice

And love is a stranger who'll beckon you on
Don't think of the danger or the stranger is gone





This dream is for you, so pay the price
Make one dream come true, you only live twice

Overall Meaning

The song You Only Live Twice, as performed by the City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and Nic Raine, was originally recorded for the 1967 James Bond film of the same name. The lyrics speak to the idea of living two lives - one for oneself and one for their dreams. The first verse sets up the concept of two lives, and the second verse introduces love as a force that can shake up the monotony of life. The third verse warns of the danger that can come with pursuing one's dreams, but urges the listener to pay the price for their own fulfillment.


The line "you only live twice" can be interpreted in different ways. It could mean that we only get one life to live, but we have the opportunity to live a second life through our dreams and passions. On the other hand, it could mean that we are given two chances to live - one for our own purposes and one for the sake of others.


The idea of love as a stranger who beckons the listener on is a recurring motif in the song. Love is portrayed as a force outside of the listener's control, one that can lead them down a dangerous path. However, the listener is urged to make their dreams come true anyway, despite the risks.


Overall, the song is a poetic reflection on the human desire for fulfillment and the various paths we can take to find it. It emphasizes the importance of taking risks and pursuing one's passions, even in the face of danger.


Line by Line Meaning

You only live twice, or so it seems
Life presents you with two opportunities - one for yourself and one for your dreams


One life for yourself, and one for your dreams
You have the potential to live two lives - one focused on personal fulfillment, and another for pursuing your dreams


You drift through the years and life seems tame
Years pass by in a monotonous flow, until a dream arises and shakes things up


Till one dream appears and love is its name
A specific dream centered around love becomes the focus and purpose of your other life


And love is a stranger who'll beckon you on
The dream of love entices and calls to you, even if it is unfamiliar and unknown


Don't think of the danger or the stranger is gone
Do not let the potential risks or unknown aspects deter you, or you may miss your chance entirely


This dream is for you, so pay the price
The dream of love is yours to pursue, but you must be willing to make sacrifices and put in effort


Make one dream come true, you only live twice
Seize the opportunity to pursue this dream, as it may be the only chance you get in this lifetime




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Barry, Leslie Bricusse

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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