One By One
Elton John/Tim Rice Lyrics


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How have I come to this?
How did I slip and fall?
How did I throw half a lifetime away
Without any thought at all?

This should've been my time
It's over, it never began
Facing a world, for once not on my side
I simply turned and ran

I try to blame it on fortune
Some kind of twist in my fate
But I know the truth and it haunts me
I learned it a little too late

I know the truth and it mocks me
I know the truth and it shocks me
I learned it a little too late

People have faith in me
I think I once did too
I promise whoever has a hold on our lives
I'll see the bad times through

This should have been my time
It's over, it never began
Facing a world, for once not on my side
I simply turned and ran

I try to blame it on fortune
Some kind of shift in the stars
But I know the truth and it haunts me
It's flown just a little too far

I know the truth and it mocks me
I know the truth and it shocks me
It's flown just a little too far

I try to blame it on fortune
Some kind of twist in my fate




But I know the truth and it haunts me
I learned it a little too late

Overall Meaning

In "I Know The Truth," Tim Rice writes about a person who has reached a point in their life where they are questioning themselves and their choices. The first verse sets the stage for this self-reflection. The singer is asking how they came to their current state, how they slipped and fell, and threw half of their life away without any thought at all. They are filled with regret and wish they had done things differently.


The second verse talks about how this should have been their time, but now it's over, and it never even began. They were facing a world that was not on their side, but instead of persevering, they simply turned and ran away. The singer attempts to blame their misfortune on twists of fate or shifts in the stars, but they know deep down that it was really their own choices that led them there. They're haunted by the truth they've learned, and it mocks and shocks them because they think it's a little too late to change anything.


In the final verse, the singer speaks to the people who once had faith in them, saying they once had faith themselves but promise to see the bad times through. Still, they know that things may never be the same as they hoped. They tend to blame their fate on some external factor, but deep down know it's because of their own choices. The song is a powerful commentary on the human experience of regret and self-doubt, with a somber and introspective tone.


Line by Line Meaning

How have I come to this?
How did I end up in this situation of regret and despair?


How did I slip and fall?
How did I make such a grave mistake that brought me down?


How did I throw half a lifetime away Without any thought at all?
How did I waste so much of my life without considering its value?


This should've been my time It's over, it never began Facing a world, for once not on my side I simply turned and ran
I missed a great opportunity to shine, due to my own inaction and cowardice.


I try to blame it on fortune Some kind of twist in my fate But I know the truth and it haunts me I learned it a little too late
I try to make excuses for my failures, but deep down I know the truth and it haunts me to realize that I realized it too late.


I know the truth and it mocks me I know the truth and it shocks me I learned it a little too late
I cannot ignore the truth of my past and it continues to taunt and surprise me, but it's too late to change things.


People have faith in me I think I once did too I promise whoever has a hold on our lives I'll see the bad times through
I used to have confidence in myself and others believed in me as well, but now, as a promise to whomever controls the destiny of life, I'll be strong enough to endure the toughest of times.


But I know the truth and it haunts me It's flown just a little too far
Despite my attempts to distance myself from my past mistakes, the truth still haunts me, and it's impossible to completely escape it.




Lyrics Š O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ELTON JOHN, TIM RICE

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

@codyflasche4181

Elton John
Who Sings
"Can You Feel the Love Tonight" And
Tim Rice
Who Do the Lyricist For Two Years After "Aladdin" with
Alan Menken

And Six Years Before
"The Road to El Dorado"
With Elton John & Tim Rice



All comments from YouTube:

@mathewgodfrey1517

I feel they got Sylvester Stallone solely to make him say "Hakuna Matata."

@jevinday

Hahahahaha omg. That's funny as hell. He's presented a bunch of Oscars in the past

@94Bballpat

I love how Elton dedicates the oscar to his grandmother, it's sweet and a very nice tribute to her.

@emiliobello2429

Wow

@darnieceking

Yeah he would not be a great musician because of her

@SilvestriChateauOfficial

His grandmother Ivy gave Elton confidence to be who he is today.

@SilvestriChateauOfficial

3 Lion King Nominations. Wow.

I ADORE ELTON!!! LONG LIVE MY LORD AND SAVIOR!!!!!

@user-hv3cu4zy7e

It isn't first time when animated future has 3 nominations in "The best original song".For example in 1992nd year were nominated 3 song from "Beauty and the Beast";It is "Be our guest","Belle" and winner "Beauty and the Beast".Or in 1993rd were nominated 2 song from "Aladdin";It is "Friend like me" and winner "A whole new world".

@livb6945

Three songs by Elton. Makes sense 😍

@peterrabbitn787

Imagine he would have lost more than twice

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