Once Upon A Time
Dan Fogelberg Lyrics
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And you shake up your soul
But nothing stirs
So you take the love of whoever
You please
But you can't find no reason
For giving yours.
You held a love so strong and fine
That all the others simply don't compare
She's always on your mind
But once upon a time
You had her there.
Drive into town 'most every night
On the chance that there might be someone
Waiting for you
You tell yourself you'll
Give it your best
Maybe settle for less
But you never do.
'Cause, once upon a time
You held a love so strong and fine
That all the others simply don't compare
She's always on your mind
But once upon a time
You had her there.
Every morning you wake up alone
And you shake up your soul
But nothing stirs
So you take the love of whoever
You please
But you can't find no reason
For giving yours.
'Cause, once upon a time
You held a love so strong and fine
That all the others simply don't compare
She's always on your mind
But once upon a time
You had her there.
The song "Once upon a time" by Dan Fogelberg is a melancholic ballad about a man who, despite trying to move on from a lost love, cannot forget the strong, beautiful relationship they once had. The lyrics convey a sense of self-doubt and sadness, as the singer wakes up alone and attempts to fill the void with other people's love. The repeated line of "once upon a time" emphasizes the distance between the present and when the relationship was alive.
The opening lines of the song set the tone for the rest of the lyrics. Every day, the singer wakes up alone and tries to stir his own feelings, but nothing happens. He resorts to taking the love of whoever he pleases but finds no reason to give his own love. The chorus reminds us that he once had a love that was strong and fine, but it's gone now, and he can't find anything that comes close to it. The final lines, "She's always on your mind, but once upon a time, you had her there," sum up the sentiment of the song: the lost love still consumes his thoughts, and he constantly revisits it, but ultimately, he's left with the knowledge that it's gone.
Overall, "Once upon a time" is a poignant song that conveys the complexities of love and loss. The lyrics are introspective and thoughtful, and Fogelberg's soft, soaring voice makes the song even more haunting.
Line by Line Meaning
Every morning you wake up alone
You start your day without someone to love or share it with.
And you shake up your soul
You try to find purpose and motivation within yourself.
But nothing stirs
You feel empty and uninspired.
So you take the love of whoever you please
You settle for temporary or superficial relationships with anyone who shows interest.
But you can't find no reason for giving yours.
You don't have a deeper connection or commitment to anyone, and don't see the point in trying.
'Cause, once upon a time, you held a love so strong and fine, that all the others simply don't compare
You once had a truly meaningful and powerful romantic connection that you can't replicate.
She's always on your mind, but once upon a time you had her there.
You can't stop thinking about the one who got away, the person who gave you that strong love you miss so much.
Drive into town 'most every night, on the chance that there might be someone waiting for you
You go out searching for new connections, hoping that you'll find something that can fill the void you feel.
You tell yourself you'll give it your best, maybe settle for less, but you never do.
You try to be optimistic and open-minded, but you always find yourself disappointed and unfulfilled.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAN FOGELBERG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind