It Could Happen to You
J. J. Johnson Sextet Lyrics
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Lock your dreams at night,
It could happen to you.
Don't count stars,
Or you might stumble.
Someone drops a sigh,
And down you'll tumble.
Keep an eye on spring,
Run when church bells ring.
It could happen to you.
All I did was wonder how your arms would be,
And it happened to me.
Hide your heart from sight,
Lock your dreams at night,
It could happen to you.
Don't count stars,
Or you might stumble.
Someone drops a sigh,
And down you'll tumble.
Keep an eye on spring,
Run when church bells ring.
It could happen to you.
All I did was wonder how your arms could be,
And it happened, and it happened,
And it happened to me.
The song "It Could Happen to You" by J. J. Johnson Sextet speaks of the vulnerability of falling in love. The first verse advises the listener to hide their heart from sight and lock their dreams at night, indicating that they should be cautious when it comes to love. However, the chorus argues that even if you try to be careful, falling in love can happen unexpectedly. The second verse advises listeners to not count stars, which might symbolize placing too much hope in romantic notions, and instead beware of a sudden sigh (from a potential love interest) that could lead to a fall, thus suggesting that luck may play a role in falling in love. The last part of the song is a personal anecdote where the singer reflects on how he was just wondering how it would feel to be in the arms of someone he was interested in, and how, just like that, he fell in love. The song highlights the idea that despite your best efforts to protect and control your emotions, falling in love is unpredictable and can happen to anyone, anytime.
Additionally, the idea of opposites and the unexpected is emphasized in the lyrics of the song. The line "Hide your heart from sight, lock your dreams at night" is perceived as a warning against love that contradicts the line "It could happen to you," which means that the singer is suggesting that love is unpredictable and can happen even when you try to guard against it. The song also uses imagery from nature, such as the image of a falling star, the change of seasons, and the sound of church bells ringing, to liken unexpected love to natural phenomena that are beyond human control.
Line by Line Meaning
Hide your heart from sight,
Keep your innermost feelings to yourself and don't let them show outwardly.
Lock your dreams at night,
Keep your future aspirations and ambitions a secret, especially at night when they are most vulnerable.
It could happen to you.
You may unexpectedly become the subject of romantic interest at any time.
Don't count stars,
Don't dwell on abstractions or get lost in your imagination.
Or you might stumble.
Otherwise you may stumble and lose your footing in reality.
Someone drops a sigh,
An audible display of emotion by someone can be the trigger that sets off a spark.
And down you'll tumble.
This reaction can result in unpredictable emotional responses, causing you to lose control.
Keep an eye on spring,
Pay attention to the changing seasons, which can signify new opportunities for love or new beginnings.
Run when church bells ring.
When you hear the sound of church bells ringing, it's time to take action and pursue your romantic interests.
All I did was wonder how your arms would be,
The simple thought of being in the embrace of someone you desire can be enough to spark a romantic connection.
And it happened to me.
This romantic connection eventually became a reality for the singer.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES VAN HEUSEN, JOHNNY BURKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind