The tracks were arranged and conducted by Claus Ogerman and his orchestra.
Along with Jobim's original compositions, the album features three standards from the 'Great American Songbook', ("Change Partners", "I Concentrate on You", and "Baubles, Bangles and Beads") arranged in the bossa nova style.
Sinatra and Jobim followed up this album with "Sinatra & Company".
Once I Loved
Frank Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To this love, you were the world to me
Once I cried at the thought
I was foolish and proud and let you say goodbye
Then one day
From my infinite sadness you came
And brought me love again
I'll never let you go
I will hold you close
Make you stay
Because love is the saddest thing
When it goes away
Love is the saddest thing when it goes away
The lyrics to Frank Sinatra and Antonio Carlos Jobim’s “Once I Loved” describe a person reflecting on a previous relationship where they loved deeply and gave all their love to their partner. Their partner meant the world to them, but they were proud and foolish and let them say goodbye. However, one day the person’s infinite sadness was lifted when their partner returned to bring them love again. The person now realizes that no matter what happens, they will never let their partner go and will hold them close to make them stay. The song ends with the melancholic realization that love is the saddest thing when it goes away.
The lyrics are beautifully written, and the song explores the timeless theme of lost love with a sense of wistful yearning. The first verse describes the intense love the person had for their partner and how their partner was everything to them. The second verse is about the person’s regret at letting their partner go and how they were consumed by infinite sadness. The final verse is about the person’s redemption and realization that they will never let go of their partner again, as love is the saddest thing when it goes away.
Line by Line Meaning
Once, once I loved and I gave so much love
In the past, I loved deeply and with great intensity
To this love, you were the world to me
You were everything to me in that love
Once I cried at the thought
At one point, I was overwhelmed with emotion
I was foolish and proud and let you say goodbye
My foolish pride led me to let you walk away
Then one day
Eventually, something happened
From my infinite sadness you came
You brought me out of my great sadness
And brought me love again
You showed me love once more
Now I know that no matter what ever befalls
I understand that no matter what happens
I'll never let you go
I will always hold onto you
I will hold you close
I will keep you near me
Make you stay
Ensure that you never leave
Because love is the saddest thing
Because love can bring great sadness
When it goes away
When it comes to an end
Lyrics © CORCOVADO MUSIC CORPORATION
Written by: Antonio Carlos Brasileiro De A Jobim, Marcus Vinicius Da Cruz De M. Moraes, Ray Gilbert
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
StraightAway Project
Once I loved,
And I gave so much love to this love,
It was the world to me.
Once I cried,
At the thought I was foolish and proud,
And let you say goodbye.
Then one day,
From my infinite sadness you came,
And brought me love again.
Now I know,
That no matter whatever befalls,
I'll never let you go.
I will hold you close,
Make you stay.
Because love,
Is the saddest thing,
When it goes away.
Because love,
Is the saddest thing,
When it goes away.
Jay Linn
Actually, this is my favorite Sinatra album. Sinatra had to slow down a lot for this collaboration with Jobim. It is almost like he is back in his younger, crooning days in terms of very slow, lyrical singing. But Sinatra's mature voice makes this album really memorable.
Jason Mills
This album has moved me for a long time and still does.
Claudia Silvana Canova
Two geniouses together. Memorable album.
pablo torres
The Boss Of Crooner Singers & The Boss of Bossa Nova together... "I will hold you close , make you stay. Because love is the saddest thing when it goes away"... Thank You Sinatra & Tom Jobim ❤🎸🎙️🎶🎶🎶🌻
WH Mitty
An epic and powerful rendition of this great song. Also my favorite Sinatra album but would not recommend listening to it if you're going through any romantic issues. Won't do much for your state of mind. RIP Frank.
Lucinha Arruda
Beautiful ❤️
tony dee
Simply beautiful.
Chris Vegas
This was a good album Sinatra and Jobim made a great team
Joe Amplo
I would elevate this music to a GREAT Album
MsG
love this so much!