Once in a While
Clifford Brown Art Blakey Lyrics


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Once in a while will you try to give
One little thought to me
Though someone else may be
Nearer your heart?

Once in a while will you dream
Of the moments I shared with you
Moments before we two
Drifted apart?

In love's smoldering ember
One spark may remain
If love still can remember
That spark may burn again

I know that I'll be contented
With yesterday's memory
Knowing you think of me
Once in a while

In love's smoldering ember
One spark may remain
If love still can remember
The spark may burn again

I know that I'll be contented
With yesterday's memory




Knowing you think of me
Once in a while

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Once In A While by Clifford Brown Art Blakey express the sentiment of longing for a past love. The singer is asking their former lover if they can spare a thought for them, even if they are no longer together. The chorus asks the question "Once in a while will you try to give one little thought to me?" The verses continue to ask if the former lover dreams about the moments they shared together while they were still happily together, before they drifted apart. The singer acknowledges that the love they shared may have only smoldered when it ended, but that there may still be a flicker of hope that they can rekindle what they had.


The lyrics of the song explore the themes of love, loss, and nostalgia. The singer is struggling to let go of the past and is still hoping that their former love remembers them fondly. The words of the song are simple and direct, but they carry a heavy emotional weight. The chorus repeats the phrase "once in a while," emphasizing the idea that the singer only wants a small token of acknowledgement that they were once loved.


Line by Line Meaning

Once in a while will you try to give
Can you ponder even for a moment


One little thought to me
To lend me your attention, perhaps?


Though someone else may be
Despite another being closer to your heart


Nearer your heart?
Is there space in your thoughts for me once in a while?


Once in a while will you dream
Might you permit yourself to imagine


Of the moments I shared with you
All the sweet memories we shared before


Moments before we two
The precious instants before we drifted apart


Drifted apart?
The instant we went our separate ways


In love's smoldering ember
In a dwindling ember of our affection


One spark may remain
There might be a single remnant of the flame of love


If love still can remember
If love can recollect and hold onto it


That spark may burn again
It could potentially swell and ignite once more


I know that I'll be contented
I am certain I will find peace


With yesterday's memory
Recalling all the memories gone by


Knowing you think of me
If only I knew I crossed your thoughts occasionally


Once in a while
Just once in a while




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., CARLIN AMERICA INC, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: RAY NOBLE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@wyndhleodumegwu253

This is a Jazz ballad, smooth, cool, expressive and unswervingly enriching.

In his improvisational discourse, Clifford Brown paints a picture of emotional empathy filled with bluesy pathos.

His effective utilization of cadences, tonal inflections and sparse dexterous agility helps to create an ambiance devoid of monotony and boredom.

Clifford Brown recalls the exquisite magnificience of trumpeter 'Fats' Navarro, trumpeter par excellence.

Miles David... Don Ellis...Lee Morgan...Booker Little...



All comments from YouTube:

@nickboretz1774

Just simply the greatest bebop trumpet player who ever came along. Tone, invention, lines..nobody could come close. Just my opinion. Saw him at the Lighthouse long ago. Lucky me.

@truthinbottle99

This is a deeply expressed sojourn by a truly BEAUTIFUL being - Clifford Brown

@gregcarleton1118

Agree

@wyndhleodumegwu253

This is a Jazz ballad, smooth, cool, expressive and unswervingly enriching.

In his improvisational discourse, Clifford Brown paints a picture of emotional empathy filled with bluesy pathos.

His effective utilization of cadences, tonal inflections and sparse dexterous agility helps to create an ambiance devoid of monotony and boredom.

Clifford Brown recalls the exquisite magnificience of trumpeter 'Fats' Navarro, trumpeter par excellence.

Miles David... Don Ellis...Lee Morgan...Booker Little...

@porterhall27

astonishingly accomplished and beautiful playing from Clifford Brown

@anthonyhollis476

Soulful and cool, merry and mellow. 🎺🥁🎹

@cleaveelmore9037

To the young trumpet players_________please take note......Thanks, Clifford!

@marksgmail66

Oh, to be in that moment... Just terrific.

@gregcarleton1118

Yes.

@anthonyhollis-in6ki

A Masterpiece🎺🎹🥁

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