One Time
J. Lately Lyrics

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A lady known as Paris, Romantic and Charming
Has left her old companions and faded from view

Lonely men with lonely eyes are seeking her in vain
Her streets are where they were, but there's no sign of her

She has left the Seine

The last time I saw Paris, her heart was warm and gay,
I heard the laughter of her heart in every street caf‚

The last time I saw Paris, her trees were dressed for spring,
And lovers walked beneath those trees and birds found songs to sing.

I dodged the same old taxicabs that I had dodged for years.
The chorus of their squeaky horns was music to my ears.

The last time I saw Paris, her heart was warm and gay,
No matter how they change her, I'll remember her that way.

I'll think of happy hours, and people who shared them
Old women, selling flowers, in markets at dawn

Children who applauded, Punch and Judy in the park
And those who danced at night and kept our Paris bright

'til the town went dark.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to J. Lately's song "One Time" display a nostalgic longing for a specific time and place, inspired by the classic tune "The Last Time I Saw Paris" by Oscar Hammerstein II and Jerome Kern. The song begins with a reference to a woman named Paris, who is personified as charming and romantic. It is suggested, however, that she has left her old life behind and has vanished from sight. The men who search for her are described as "lonely," emphasizing the longing and emptiness that the absence of Paris has created.

The second half of the first verse continues to describe the impact of Paris's departure. Even though the physical surroundings are the same, there is no "sign of her" in the streets she once inhabited. The phrase "she has left the Seine" can be interpreted both literally and figuratively, as a reference to both her physical presence in the city and her emotional and romantic spirit.

The second verse reflects on the singer's own memories of Paris, specifically the sense of joy and warmth that he associates with her. The imagery of the city's trees and parks in spring is contrasted with the gritty reality of dodging taxicabs. The singer acknowledges that Paris may change, but he will always remember her as she was when he last saw her. The final lines of the song evoke a sense of community and shared experience, as the singer reflects on the people and moments that made Paris bright and vibrant - even if those moments have now "gone dark."

Line by Line Meaning

A lady known as Paris, Romantic and Charming
Paris is a beautiful city that is considered romantic and charming

Has left her old companions and faded from view
Paris has changed and become something different from what it once was

Lonely men with lonely eyes are seeking her in vain
People are longing for the Paris that once existed, but they cannot find it

Her streets are where they were, but there's no sign of her
The physical location of Paris hasn't changed, but its essence is no longer the same

She has left the Seine
Paris has left its river, which is a metaphor for changing and moving on

The last time I saw Paris, her heart was warm and gay,
The singer is reminiscing about the past when Paris was lively and full of joy

I heard the laughter of her heart in every street café
The singer heard the sounds of happiness and joy in the city's cafes

Her trees were dressed for spring,
The trees in Paris were blossoming in the springtime

And lovers walked beneath those trees and birds found songs to sing.
Couples walked together and the birds sang sweetly while they enjoyed the beauty of Paris

I dodged the same old taxicabs that I had dodged for years.
The artist remembers the familiarity of the city's taxi cabs

The chorus of their squeaky horns was music to my ears.
The singer found comfort in the familiar sounds of Paris, including the sound of the taxi horns

No matter how they change her, I'll remember her that way.
The artist will always remember Paris the way it used to be, despite its inevitable changes

I'll think of happy hours, and people who shared them
The singer reminisces about the happy times spent in Paris and the people who shared those moments with them

Old women, selling flowers, in markets at dawn
The singer remembers the old women selling flowers in the markets early in the morning

Children who applauded, Punch and Judy in the park
The singer remembers the children who enjoyed the puppet show in the park

And those who danced at night and kept our Paris bright
The people who danced at night helped to keep the city lively and full of light

Til the town went dark.
The city used to be alive and full of light, but now it's dark and quiet

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: OSCAR II HAMMERSTEIN, JEROME KERN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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