It Could Happen to You
Jo Stafford Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 tumble,
Keep an eye on spring,
It could happen to you
All I did was wonder
How your arms would be
And it happened to me
The opening lines of Jo Stafford's song "It Could Happen to You" are a warning to those who believe they are immune to love's unpredictable nature. The lyrics advise the listener to "hide your heart from sight" and "lock your dreams at night" in order to avoid being vulnerable to love's whims. Love has the potential to take hold of anyone, regardless of their intentions or their preparedness for the experience.
The following lines caution against becoming too preoccupied with romantic fantasies or relying too heavily on luck. The phrase "Don't count stars or you might stumble" suggests that placing too much emphasis on mystical or random forces could lead one down a less-than-desirable path. The mention of "someone drops a sigh and down you tumble" serves as a reminder that love can be both intoxicating and disorienting.
The closing lines of the song reveal the singer's own experience with love. The phrase "all I did was wonder how your arms would be and it happened to me" suggests that despite the warnings and the unpredictability of love, the joy it brings cannot be denied.
Line by Line Meaning
Hide your heart from sight
Keep your emotions guarded and don't reveal too much vulnerability to others.
Lock your dreams at night
Don't let your aspirations keep you up at night, instead focus on realistic goals.
It could happen to you
Unforeseen circumstances could happen to anyone, so it's important to be prepared for anything.
Don't count stars
Don't get caught up in unrealistic fantasies or goals, be realistic in life.
Or you might stumble
If you focus too hard on unrealistic goals, you may fall short or fail and be disappointed.
Someone drops a sigh
The smallest things or events can impact your life unexpectedly and lead to big changes.
And down you tumble
Unexpected events can cause a chain reaction and completely change the course of your life.
Keep an eye on spring
Look out for opportunities for new beginnings and take advantage of them when they present themselves.
Run when church bells ring
Make the most of every moment and don't let time pass you by, seize opportunities and live life fully with each passing moment.
All I did was wonder
The singer did not actively pursue a relationship, but rather imagined what it would be like to be with someone intimately.
How your arms would be
Specifically, the singer was dreaming about being held by their romantic interest.
And it happened to me
Despite not actively pursuing a romantic relationship, the singer ended up falling in love anyway, showing that unexpected events can change the course of one's life and love life as well.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES VAN HEUSEN, JOHNNY BURKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Christopher Williams
if it was not for the walking dead I would have never been blessed with the genius and vocal capacity of Jo Stafford
IG: Danny_mgx
Just Shazam it from the Walking Dead (watching it all over again)
TheRudydog1
Jo Stafford's perfect pitch and phrasing are just right for this beautiful Standard.
Jeffrey Woods
No
Richard Zuelch
Jo Stafford (1917-2008). She was a native of Coalinga, California. One of the best of the female big-band singers.
ron a.
THE best.
ron a.
The best!
James Jordan
One of my favorite songs, sung by a favorite female singer. A simple song, yet so poignant in lyrics and music. Music is one of the foremost qualities I will most when I die. Sigh.
Eve Demian
Oh, my dear: I think that the universe and heaven must be filled with music! Like our souls, it "has no substance", so it can travel with us! Sigh not; sing with you there ~
SassySandyification
First heard this beautiful song on a Cold Case episode. Centered in 1945. Love it.