While in his twenties, Lai left home and went to Paris, where he became part of the lively Montmartre music scene. In 1965 he met filmmaker Claude Lelouch and was hired to help write the score for the film A Man and a Woman. Released in 1966, the film was a major international success, earning a number of Academy Awards. The young Lai received a Golden Globe Award nomination for "Best Original Score". This initial success brought more opportunities to work for the film industry both in his native France, where he continued to work with Lelouch on scores to films such as Vivre pour vivre (1967), Un homme qui me plaît (1969), Le voyou (1970) and La bonne année (1973), as well as in Great Britain and the United States. He is known for his support of Mireille Mathieu in many compositions and recordings. In 1970 he wrote the score for director René Clément's film, Rider on the Rain ("Le passager de la pluie"). It sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc in September 1971.
In 1970 Lai won the Academy Award for Best Music, Original Score and the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score for the film Love Story. In the United States, the soundtrack album went to No. 2 in the Billboard album charts and the film's theme, "Where Do I Begin", was a hit single with lyrics by Carl Sigman for traditional pop singer Andy Williams. The song would also be recorded successfully by Lai himself, with a full orchestra, and by Henry Mancini and Shirley Bassey. Lai's "Love Story" theme was heard in the 1978 Love Story sequel titled Oliver's Story, although the main score was composed by Lee Holdridge.
His movie scores include films as diverse as Mayerling, Three into Two Won't Go, International Velvet, Édith et Marcel, and Michael Winner films such as I'll Never Forget What's'isname and Hannibal Brooks. Lai has also had success with music written for softcore erotic films like Emmanuelle 2 (1975) and Bilitis (1977). He earned high praise for the latter film's score and its sound-track sold over a million copies throughout the world.
His composition "Aujourd'hui C'est Toi" (Today It's You) is probably best known in the UK as the theme music for the long-running BBC television current affairs documentary series Panorama.
In a career spanning forty years, Lai has also written music for television programs and alone or in collaboration with others has composed music for more than one hundred films and has personally written more than six hundred songs. Notably, he penned the music for the Perry Como hit "I Think of You" (lyrics by Rod McKuen).
Snow Frolic
Francis Lai Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I can't sweep you off of your feet
Will your mouth still remember the taste of my love
Will your eyes still smile from your cheeks
And darling I will be loving you till we're 70
And baby my heart could still fall as hard at 23
And I'm thinking 'bout how people fall in love in mysterious ways
Maybe just the touch of a hand
And I just wanna tell you I am
So honey now
Take me into your loving arms
Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars
Place your head on my beating heart
I'm thinking out loud
That maybe we found love right where we are
When my hair's overgone and my memory fades
And the crowds don't remember my name
When my hands don't play the strings the same way
I know you will still love me the same
Cause honey your soul can never grow old
It's ever green
Baby your smile forever in my mind and memory
And I'm thinking 'bout how people fall in love in mysterious ways
Maybe it's all part of a plan
Well, i'll just keep on making the same mistakes
Hoping that you'll understand
But baby now
Take me into your loving arms
Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars
Place your head on my beating heart
Thinking out loud
That maybe we found love right where we are
So baby now
Take me into your loving arms
Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars
Oh darling, place your head on my beating heart
I'm thinking out loud
That maybe we found love right where we are
Oh maybe we found love right where we are
And we found love right where we are
The song "Thinking Out Loud" by Ed Sheeran is a romantic ballad and an ode to the long-lasting love between two people. The lyrics depict a love that stands the test of time, even when physical appearance fades and memories eventually become distant. Sheeran sings about holding onto his love for his partner until they are both 70 years old, even when his youthful ardor has worn off. The song reassures the listener that he will always cherish his significant other, even when they are old and grey.
In the second verse, Sheeran sings that he will continue to make mistakes, but he also believes that their love is part of a bigger plan. The chorus repeats the message that the couple has found love in the present moment that will last forever. The bridge reinforces the idea that love never fades, even when we are no longer young and vibrant. Overall, the song is a beautiful tribute to the enduring nature of love and a reminder that true love never really dies.
Line by Line Meaning
When your legs don't work like they used to before
As time passes and our bodies age, we may not be as able as we once were
And I can't sweep you off of your feet
Physical limitations may prevent me from performing grand romantic gestures
Will your mouth still remember the taste of my love
As years go by, will our love still be a fond memory for you?
Will your eyes still smile from your cheeks
Will joy continue to radiate from your eyes as they once did?
And darling I will be loving you till we're 70
I vow to love you not only in this moment, but for many years to come
And baby my heart could still fall as hard at 23
My love for you will not diminish as we age; it is just as passionate and fiery as when I was younger
And I'm thinking 'bout how people fall in love in mysterious ways
Love is a curious thing that can happen in unexpected ways
Maybe just the touch of a hand
Perhaps a simple touch can ignite a deep connection between two people
Oh me I fall in love with you every single day
My love for you continues to grow stronger with each passing day
And I just wanna tell you I am
I want to express my love to you openly and honestly
So honey now
Take me into your loving arms
Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars
Place your head on my beating heart
I'm thinking out loud
That maybe we found love right where we are
In this moment, I desire nothing more than to be close to you and show you my affection. Perhaps we have already found our forever love in each other
When my hair's overgone and my memory fades
As I grow old and my physical appearance fades along with my memories, I hope you will still cherish me the same
And the crowds don't remember my name
Even if I become insignificant and forgotten by the rest of the world
When my hands don't play the strings the same way
Even if I am unable to perform as I once did
I know you will still love me the same
I am comforted by the knowledge that your love for me will remain steadfast and unwavering
Cause honey your soul can never grow old
It's ever green
Baby your smile forever in my mind and memory
Your spirit and happiness will remain youthful and forever etched in my mind and heart
Well, i'll just keep on making the same mistakes
Hoping that you'll understand
Despite my imperfections, I will continue to try and make our love work, with the hope that you will be patient with me
Oh darling, place your head on my beating heart
I long to feel your head on my chest, listening to the rhythm of my heartbeat as a symbol of our love
And we found love right where we are
Perhaps our love was meant to be all along, and it flourished right where we were, in each other's arms
Contributed by Matthew G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@gacj2010
There was an innocence and pureness during the 70s it seemed .... So sorry about now ..
@reynaldobernal
Arthur Hiller, director of the film, says that this scene was not in the script, it was practically improvised. They had traveled to Boston to continue filming but ran into a terrible snow storm. Without being able to film what was planned, and in order not to waste the day, Hiller had the idea to ask for an American football, and request that the city stadium be opened for him. He asked Ali and Ryan to just go with the flow; That's where this iconic scene came from. Only the beautiful music of Francis Lai was enough to make it memorable.
@trungduongvan2575
I have seen Love Story in Vietnam I was 13 y.o
I'm now 63
Very beautiful movie
@arturoromerojr
Salute for your service sir..
@janeleekeller
1970
From 'Love Story'
Thank you 😊,
JaneLee - in Suburban Philadelphia
1/14/22
@hildyva
Just learned Ryan died. That news led me to this beautiful piece of music. Rest in peace
@goodmusic4731
I FINALLY FOUND THIS SONG AFTER YEARS OF SEARCHING. I'M SO HAPPPYYYYYY
@josephanthony6589
What a pleasant feeling!
@mohammadsalauddin9179
I know how u feel . I was searching lonely shepherd by zamfir but I didn’t know name or title nothing. After 17 /18years I got it from YouTube. I heard that whole night and till today I heard more then 5000 times. Trust me it’s wonderful feelings
@jin5514
So did I