Berlin, who was Jewish, was one of the few Tin Pan Alley/Broadway songwriters who wrote both lyrics and music for his songs. Although he never learned to read music beyond a rudimentary level, he composed over 3,000 songs. Many of his songs, including "God Bless America", "White Christmas", "Alexander's Ragtime Band", and "There's No Business Like Show Business," left an indelible mark on American music and culture. He produced 17 film scores and 21 Broadway scores, in addition to his individual songs.
Back to Back
Irving Berlin Lyrics
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Haven't felt like that since I was 6 years old
And you brought me ice cream and chips on a Sunday
We stayed in bed and watched films on a Monday
But little did I know, that I'd be the one to go
If I could I'd go back to Berlin and tell you I'm
Sorry for hurting the one thing we had from the start
If I could I'd go back to Berlin and I'd tell you I'm
Sorry for hurting the one thing we had from the start
Apologize to you for playing with
Your heart, for playing with your heart
And we walked the streets of Berlin in the nights
Haven't talked about where we'd both be in ten years
Timed that I'd be up on the stage
And you'd be creating a brand new age
And you made a mixtape of songs for my birthday
I listen to them constantly they're on replay
And I keep on playing in my mind the
Way things went down in Berlin at the time
If I could I'd go back to Berlin and tell you I'm
Sorry for hurting the one thing we had from the start
Apologize to you for playing with your heart
If I could I'd go back to Berlin and I'd tell you I'm
Sorry for hurting the one thing we had from the start
Apologize to you for playing with your heart
Cause I never meant no harm
I never meant no harm
I never meant no harm
I never meant no harm, no harm
If I could I'd go back to Berlin and I'd tell you I'm
Sorry for hurting the one thing we had from the start
Apologize to you for playing with
Your heart, for playing with your heart
The song "Back to Back" by Irving Berlin is about a person who reflects on a past relationship that was special to them but ended in heartbreak. The singer longs to "go back to Berlin" where they spent time with their loved one and apologize for how things ended. The song describes happy memories of walking the streets, watching movies, and eating ice cream. The singer seems to have taken their relationship for granted and feels regretful for causing pain to the person they loved. The singer admits that they "never meant no harm" and wishes they could make amends.
The chorus, in particular, is an expression of the singer’s remorse and desire to make things right. Their apology is for hurting the “one thing we had from the start” and for playing with “your heart.” The lyrics show a level of self-awareness as the singer takes responsibility for their actions and acknowledges the pain they caused. The song is a longing for a second chance and a hope for reconciliation.
In all, "Back to Back" is a poignant ballad of regret and apology, exploring themes of love, loss, and the limits of redemption. It expresses the pain of losing something special and the overwhelming desire to make things right. The song reminds us that some actions can have lasting consequences, and we should cherish the special people and experiences we have in life.
Line by Line Meaning
I found a place where I instantly felt I was home
I discovered a location that immediately made me feel comfortable and at ease
Haven't felt like that since I was 6 years old
It's been a long time since I felt that way, maybe not since I was a child
And you brought me ice cream and chips on a Sunday
You did something nice for me on a Sunday by bringing me ice cream and chips
We stayed in bed and watched films on a Monday
On a Monday, we relaxed in bed and watched movies together
But little did I know, that I'd be the one to go
I didn't realize at the time that I would be the one to leave
If I could I'd go back to Berlin and tell you I'm
If it were possible, I would return to Berlin and say
Sorry for hurting the one thing we had from the start
I apologize for damaging the strongest aspect of our relationship from the beginning
Apologize to you for playing with your heart
I'm sorry for toying with your emotions
And we walked the streets of Berlin in the nights
We took walks around Berlin at night
Haven't talked about where we'd both be in ten years
We didn't discuss our future ten years from then
Timed that I'd be up on the stage
I predicted that I would be performing on stage
And you'd be creating a brand new age
And you would be making revolutionary change
And you made a mixtape of songs for my birthday
You created a collection of songs on a tape for my birthday
I listen to them constantly they're on replay
I listen to them repeatedly, they're on repeat
And I keep on playing in my mind the way things went down in Berlin at the time
I continuously replay the events that occurred in Berlin at that time in my head
Cause I never meant no harm
Because I never intended any wrongdoing
No harm, no harm
No negative impact, none at all
If I could I'd go back to Berlin and I'd tell you I'm
If it were possible, I would return to Berlin and say
Sorry for hurting the one thing we had from the start
I apologize for damaging the strongest aspect of our relationship from the beginning
Apologize to you for playing with your heart
I'm sorry for toying with your emotions
Writer(s): IRVING BERLIN
Contributed by Julia B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.