The Way It Used To Be
Engelbert Humperdinck Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Lonely table just for one
In a bright and crowded room
While the music has begun
I drink to memories in the gloom
Though the music's still the same
It has a bittersweet refrain

So play the song the way it used to be
Before she left and changed it all to sadness
And maybe if she's passing by the window
She will hear a love song
And a melody
And even if the words are not so tender
She will always remember
The way it used to be

Friends stop by and say hello
And I laugh and hide the pain
It's quite easy 'til they go
Then the song begins again

So play the song the way it used to be
Before she left and changed it all to sadness
And maybe if she's passing by the window
She will hear a love song
And a melody
And even if the words are not so tender




She will always remember
The way it used to be

Overall Meaning

"The Way It Used To Be" by Engelbert Humperdinck is a classic song about lost love and the yearning for the past. The lyrics tell the story of a man who is sitting alone at a table in a crowded room, reminiscing about the love he once had. He drinks to memories in the gloom as the music plays in the background, bringing back bittersweet memories of his former lover.


The chorus of the song asks the musician to play the song "the way it used to be" before his lover left and changed everything to sadness. The man hopes that she might hear the song as she passes by the window, and remember the good times they shared. Despite the fact that the words may not be so tender, she will always remember the way it used to be.


The verses describe the man's struggle to keep his emotions hidden from his friends who visit him. He smiles, laughs and pretends that he's okay but as soon as they leave, the song begins again, and his memories come flooding back. The song ends with the man still sitting alone at the table, lost in his memories.


Overall, "The Way It Used To Be" is a poignant lament for lost love and the yearning for a return to happier times. The song is an emotional ballad that is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever experienced the pain of lost love.


Line by Line Meaning

Lonely table just for one
I sit alone at a table meant for two in a place full of people.


In a bright and crowded room
The room is well-lit and full of people.


While the music has begun
The music has started playing in the background.


I drink to memories in the gloom
I indulge in my past memories with a drink in my hand.


Though the music's still the same
The music is still playing in the same way as before.


It has a bittersweet refrain
The music has a sad undertone.


So play the song the way it used to be
I request the DJ to play a song that reminds me of my happy times.


Before she left and changed it all to sadness
The song was once associated with love and happiness, but it changed when my loved one left me.


And maybe if she's passing by the window
If my ex-lover happens to pass by, she might hear the song and remember our happy times.


She will hear a love song
The song is a reminder of the love we once shared.


And a melody
The tune will remind her of the moments we spent together.


And even if the words are not so tender
The lyrics may not be sweet, but the melody and song will remind her of our past love.


She will always remember
The song will bring back fond memories.


The way it used to be
The song reminds us of the happy times we shared together.


Friends stop by and say hello
Friends come by to greet me.


And I laugh and hide the pain
I put on a facade of happiness and conceal my heartache.


It's quite easy 'til they go
Acting happy is easy when my friends are around, but it becomes difficult when they leave.


Then the song begins again
As soon as my friends leave, I am left alone with my thoughts and memories, and the song reminds me of what I have lost.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROGER FREDERICK COOK, ROGER JOHN REGINALD GREENAWAY, FRANCO CASSANO, CORRADO CONTI, GIANNI ERNESTO ARGENIO

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@Lechaim11

He is one of those singers that you can listen to over and over. He never sings a bad song and has a very distinctive voice. If I could choose to sing like anyone, it would be Englebert's voice that I would pick. He has no equal!

@roselacale6682

Ll

@khuyen-hx9zz

@@roselacale6682 ❤

@siegfriedula3399

My grandma loves your songs she plays your music so much 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

@monthertaew5567

My favorite song thank you for good song .

@vernonh194

I'm 23 and I really love this song.

@aidaguth1439

I am now 71 but I am still listening to Engelbert Humperdinck and all his previous songs that relieves stress during the pandemic so why not join me!

@mikeloghry9521

I have at 70 years of age.

@jepoyamida9502

My Father used to have a CD of this and every sunday he'll play this while cleaning our house. So I also love this too because my Father always play this.🥺🥰

@edwiles5258

he is, without a doubt, one of the very best male singers of all time . i would love to hear him live in concert

More Comments

More Versions