Born in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Ros' mother was an African-Vene… Read Full Bio ↴Born in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Ros' mother was an African-Venezuelan; his father was Scottish. Ros' parents separated not long after he was born, and he was enrolled into a military school, where he became interested in music and learned to play the euphonium or bombardin. From 1927 to 1937 his family lived in Caracas, Venezuela. He played in a military band for four years. Later, he received a music scholarship from the government. In June 1937, he moved to London, England to study classical music at the Royal Academy of Music. He soon returned to playing popular music and also recorded several sides as a sideman to Fats Waller who was visiting London in 1938.

In 1939, he formed his own rumba band, "Rumba With Ros". In 1941, he gained recognition with the track "Los Hijos de Buda" and was playing regularly at the elegant Coconut Grove club on Regent Street, which attracted members of high society.

In 1946, he owned a club, a dance school, a record company and an artist's agency. His band grew to 16 musicians. His album The Wedding Samba sold three million copies in 1949.

In 1951, he bought the Coconut Grove and renamed it Edmundo Ros' Dinner and Supper Club. The club became popular for its atmosphere and music; it closed in 1965. From 1964 to 1968 he was the owner of the internationally known and very exclusive Edmundo Ros Club on Regent Street.

His album Rhythms of The South (1957) was one of the first high-quality LP stereo records. He was with Decca records from 1944 to 1974.

In 1975 (at the age of 65) he retired and moved to Jávea, Alicante (Spain). On January 8, 1994, he gave his last public performance. Ros was awarded the Order of the British Empire by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, in the 2000 New Year's Honours List.

Discography

His most famous albums:

Edmundo Ros And His Rumba Band, 1939-1941, LP
Tropical Magic, 1942-1944, LP
Cuban Love Song, 1945, LP
On Broadway, LP
Show Boat/Porgy & Bess, LP
Ros at the Opera
Broadway goes Latin
Rhythms of the South
Latin Carnival
New Rhythms of The South
Latin Boss...Señor Ros
Arriba
Latin Hits I Missed
Hair Goes Latin
Heading South of the Border
The Latin King
This is My World
Caribbean Ros
Sunshine and Olé!
Give My Regards to Broadway
Doin' the Samba, CD
Rhythms of the South/New Rhythms of the South, CD
Good! Good! Good! CD
Strings Latino/Latin Hits I Missed CD
That Latin Sound
Wedding Samba
Cancion Cubana
Mambo Jambo, Naxos, CD
The Wedding Samba (Nayer Sher)
Calypsos (Decca 1956),
Mambos (Decca 1956),
Rhythms Of The South (Decca 1957),
Calypso Man (Decca 1958),
Perfect For Dancing (Decca 1958),
Ros On Broadway (Decca 1959),
Hollywood Cha Cha Cha (Decca 1959),
Bongos From The South (Decca 1961), Dance Again (Decca 1962),
Sing And Dance With Edmundo Ros (Decca 1963), with *Ted Heath Heath Versus Ros (Phase 4 1964),
with Heath Heath Versus Ros, Round Two (Phase 4 1967),
This Is My World (Decca 1972),
Ros Remembers (Decca 1974),
Edmundo Ros Today (Decca 1978),
Latin Favourites (Gold Crown 1979),
Latin Song And Dance Men (Pye 1980),
Music For The Millions (Decca 1983),
Strings Latino (London 1985),
Cuban Love Song (1985),
Latin Magic (London 1987),
Edmundo Ros & His Rumba Band, 1939-1941 (1992),
That Latin Sound (Pulse 1997)

His most famous track was "Melodie d' amour".

Once In A Lifetime
Edmundo Ros and His Orchestra Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

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 to "Once in a Lifetime" by Edmundo Ros and His Orchestra is a poignant reminder of lost love and longing for that love. The song asks the question of whether the one they loved ever thinks of them, despite being with someone else. It speaks of the memories they shared before drifting apart and the hope that love can rekindle once again. The lyrics also convey a sense of resignation and acceptance, that even if love is not rekindled, the memory of that love will still bring contentment.

The lyrics capture a sense of vulnerability and emotional longing that is relatable to many people who have experienced losing someone they loved. The idea that even though someone has moved on, memories of love can still exist and bring a sense of happiness is something that can provide comfort to those who have lost love. The song's soft and romantic melody adds to the emotional weight of the lyrics, creating a heartfelt ballad that resonates with listeners.

Overall, the lyrics to "Once in a Lifetime" is a sad but hopeful reminder of love lost and the power of memories to bring comfort and contentment.

Line by Line Meaning

Once in a while will you try to give One little thought to me Though someone else may be Nearer your heart?
Will you take a moment to think of me every so often, even if someone else has captured your heart?

Once in a while will you dream Of the moments I shared with you Moments before we two Drifted apart?
Do you ever reminisce about the times we spent together before we went our separate ways?

In love's smoldering ember One spark may remain If love still can remember That spark may burn again
Even if our love has faded, there may still be a chance for rekindling if there is any remaining love left.

I know that I'll be contented With yesterday's memory Knowing you think of me Once in a while
I don't expect any more from you than a passing thought every once in a while, and I'll be happy with that and the memories of our past.

In love's smoldering ember One spark may remain If love still can remember The spark may burn again
This repeated stanza emphasizes the potential for rediscovering love if there is any lingering passion.

I know that I'll be contented With yesterday's memory Knowing you think of me Once in a while
This stanza repeats the same sentiment as the earlier one, encapsulating the song's theme of finding contentment in nostalgia and occasional thoughts from a past love.

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management
Written by: BUD GREEN, MICHAEL EDWARDS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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