Where Or When
James and the Drifters Lyrics
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We looked at each other in the same way then
But I can't remember where or when
The clothes you're wearing are the clothes you wore
The smile you are smiling you were smiling then
But I can't remember where or when
Seem to be happening again
And so it seems that we have met before
And laughed before, and loved before
But who knows where or when
James and the Drifters' song "Where or When" is a romantic ballad that explores the theme of déjà vu. The opening line, "It seems we stood and talked like this before," sets the nostalgic tone of the song. The singer meets someone and feels a deep connection with them, but they can't quite figure out why. They've been there before, in the same moment, looking at each other in the same way, but they can't remember where or when. They note that the clothes the other person is wearing and the way they're smiling is familiar, but still, the context eludes them.
The second verse adds to the sense of nostalgia by suggesting that this might not be the first time they've had this experience. The lyrics say, "Some things that happened for the first time seem to be happening again." This could be interpreted as a metaphor for how some experiences feel familiar because we've lived through them before in some way. However, in this case, the singer is specifically referring to a deep connection with another person. The song ends with a final question, "But who knows where or when?" The singer seems content to leave the mystery of their connection unsolved and to simply enjoy being in the moment.
Line by Line Meaning
It seems we stood and talked like this before
We've had a conversation like this before, and it feels familiar.
We looked at each other in the same way then
The way we're looking at each other now reminds me of a time when we did the same thing before.
But I can't remember where or when
I don't know when or where we had this conversation or moment before, it's just a vague feeling.
The clothes you're wearing are the clothes you wore
Your outfit looks the same as it did during our previous encounter.
The smile you are smiling you were smiling then
Your smile is exactly the same as it was during our previous encounter.
But I can't remember where or when
Although you look the same and are smiling the same as before, I still can't recall when or where that was.
Some things that happened for the first time
Occasionally we have brand new experiences, ones that we've never had before.
Seem to be happening again
Sometimes these new experiences seem to happen again, perhaps because they're familiar in some way that we can't explain.
And so it seems that we have met before
It feels like we've met each other before, based on how we're interacting now.
And laughed before, and loved before
It's possible that we've shared experiences that involved laughter or love before, perhaps in a past life.
But who knows where or when
It's impossible to say for sure where or when we had these experiences before - it's just a feeling or intuition.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind