It Happened In Monterey
Harry Lyrics


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In my imagination, I'm finding consolation
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
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
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

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "It Happened in Monterey" by Harry 'Sweets' Edison narrate a story of a man who reminisces about a past love affair. In his imagination, he seeks solace and comfort along the Rio Grande. He regrets leaving his love behind in Monterey, Old Mexico, where they first met. The lines "I met her in Monterey, in old Mexico/ Stars and steel guitars/ And luscious lips, as red as wine" imply a romantic and passionate atmosphere where the two came together. However, the relationship did not end well, as the man laments, "Broke somebody's heart/ And I'm afraid that it was mine."


Through the use of sensory description, the lyrics evoke a vivid and tangible image of the past affair. The singer sees the sparkle of her eye in every glass of sherry and hears the music of her sigh in the cello's tender melody. Despite the passage of time, he still longs for his lost love, and his indiscreet heart continues to yearn for the paradise he left behind.


In summary, "It Happened in Monterey" portrays the bittersweet memories and regrets of a past love affair. It describes the romantic atmosphere of Monterey's cultural landscape and the passionate intimacy between the two lovers. The lyrics express the pain of losing someone special and the enduring desire to relive those moments once again.


Line by Line Meaning

In my imagination, I'm finding consolation
My mind is providing comfort to alleviate my longing


Somewhere along the Rio Grande
Possibly in some remote location along the river


Sadly I'm reminiscing, madly again I'm kissing
Regretfully recalling my past, passionately reliving the moment


Someone along the Rio Grande
I was with someone special, possibly a lover on one of my trips


It happened in Monterey, a long time ago
I experienced a memorable event some time back in Monterey, Mexico


I met her in Monterey, in old Mexico
I fell in love with a lady whom I met in the Mexican city of Monterey


Stars and steel guitars
Bright stars accompanied by the twang of a steel guitar


And luscious lips, as red as wine
She had attractive, inviting lips that had the color of red wine


Broke somebody's heart
Her actions caused somebody to be heartbroken


And I'm afraid that it was mine
Unfortunately, I was the one left with a broken heart


Without thinking twice
I acted impulsively without giving it much consideration


I left her and threw away the key to paradise
I abandoned my love and lost the chance to experiencing happiness


My indiscreet heart, longs for the sweetheart
I regret leaving my lover, and my heart desires to be with her once again


Making believe I'm merry
I pretend to be happy and cheerful outwardly


In ev'ry glass of sherry
Whenever I consume the alcoholic sherry drink


I see the sparkle of her eye
I vividly picture the shine in her lovely eyes


And when I hear the cello
Whenever I listen to the sweet sound of the cello instrument


Tender and sweet and mellow
A pleasurable and smooth melody


I hear the music of her sigh
I hear her exhalation, like music to my ears




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Billy Rose, Mabel Wayne

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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