It Happened In Monterey
Frank Sinatra Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra Lyrics
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Somewhere along the Rio Grande
Sadly I'm reminiscing, madly again I'm kissing
Someone along the Rio Grande
It happened in Monterey, a long time ago
I met her in Monterey, in old Mexico
Stars and steel guitars
Broke somebody's heart
And I'm afraid that it was mine
It happened in Monterey
Without thinking twice
I left her and threw away the key to paradise
My indiscreet heart, longs for the sweetheart
That I left in old Monterey
Making believe I'm merry
In ev'ry glass of sherry
I see the sparkle of her eye
And when I hear the cello
Tender and sweet and mellow
I hear the music of her sigh
It happened in Monterey, a long time ago
I met her in Monterey, in old Mexico
Stars and steel guitars
And luscious lips, as red as wine
Broke somebody's heart
And I'm afraid that it was mine
It happened in Monterey
Without thinking twice
I left her and threw away the key to paradise
My indiscreet heart, longs for the sweetheart
The lyrics to “It Happened in Monterey” by Frank Sinatra describe a nostalgic and sorrowful journey into the singer’s past memories of love in the city of Monterey, in old Mexico. The song begins with the character trying to find solace and forget his past lover by daydreaming of a romance along the Rio Grande. However, he then painfully reminisces on the true love he lost in Monterey. The starry nights, steel guitars, and intoxicating kisses were unforgettable for the singer. The lyricist describes the woman's lips as "as red as wine," with her charm breaking someone's heart, which most likely was Sinatra's. He left her in Monterey without any second thoughts, throwing "away the key to paradise." But as the lyrics progress, he reveals that his heart still longs for the past that was left in Monterey.
The song reveals the complexities of love and regret. The lyrics show the psychology behind regret associated with decisions made in haste and against our hearts' wills. It also reminds us that memories can haunt us long after we've left them behind, and sometimes the heart yearns for a second chance.
Line by Line Meaning
In my imagination, I'm finding consolation
Lost in thought, I try to comfort myself
Somewhere along the Rio Grande
Thinking of a place that's far away
Sadly I'm reminiscing, madly again I'm kissing
Recalling sweet memories of a lover's embrace
Someone along the Rio Grande
Recalling someone from that distant place
It happened in Monterey, a long time ago
A tale of love that took place in the past
I met her in Monterey, in old Mexico
The singer speaks of a romantic encounter in a specific location
Stars and steel guitars
One of many details from the moment that's remembered
And luscious lips, as red as wine
A physical trait of the singer's love interest is recalled
Broke somebody's heart
Disclosing an unintended consequence of their romance
And I'm afraid that it was mine
Suggesting that the singer was the one hurt the most
Without thinking twice
Revealing how the singer acted in hindsight
I left her and threw away the key to paradise
Describing a choice to sever ties with the person of interest
My indiscreet heart, longs for the sweetheart
Expressing a sense of regret for what was lost and desire for what could have been
Making believe I'm merry
Putting on a facade of happiness, instead of facing the truth
In ev'ry glass of sherry
Not being able to escape thoughts of their love, even in intoxication
I see the sparkle of her eye
Still carrying a clear image in their head of their love interest's gaze
And when I hear the cello
Another sound that haunts the singer, reminding them of their lost love
Tender and sweet and mellow
A description of the music that triggers their memories
I hear the music of her sigh
The singer yearns to hear their love interest's sound again
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BILLY ROSE, MABEL WAYNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind