Once I Loved
Frank Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Once, once I loved and I gave so much love
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
Now I know that no matter what ever 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
Love is the saddest thing when it goes away

Overall Meaning

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
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

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.



All comments from YouTube:

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!

More Comments

More Versions