ONE DAY AT A TIME
Elton John; John Lennon Lyrics

Elton John's One Day At A Time is a love song that describes the power of love in the life of the singer. The opening verse establishes the depth of the relationship between the two lovers. The singer observes that the other person is both their weakness and their strength, indicating a shared and entwined existence. They complete each other's lives because the singer is "the fish and [their partner is] the sea" and "the apple and [they are] the tree." The imagery of nature here evokes dependence and support, bringing to mind the inseparable connection between land and sea or the symbiotic interaction between trees and their fruit.

The chorus also emphasizes the importance of taking things one day at a time. This phrase is repeated several times to underline that the couple does not take anything for granted and cherishes every moment. For them, slowly building a life together in the present is more important than worrying about the future or dwelling on the past. The emphasis on the present is also reinforced by the repeated use of "you" in the chorus. The song is not just about the singer's love for their partner; it is also about the shared experience of building a life together.

The second verse reinforces the idea that the couple's love is what makes life worthwhile. The singer describes themselves as a "door," with their partner being the "key" that unlocks their potential. The relationship is mutually beneficial as the singer wakes up every morning to their partner's "smile" and "love in [their] eyes." Here, we see that the couple brings out the best in each other and that their love is crucial to their happiness. By the final repetition of the chorus, the perspective has shifted to include the listener, making it clear that the song's message is about the importance of taking things one day at a time in all relationships.