Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson is an Australian country music duo. The pa… Read Full Bio ↴Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson is an Australian country music duo. The pairing of Kasey Chambers, one of Australia’s most loved female artists, and Australian singer-songwriter Shane Nicholson, who married in 2005, led to the award-winning Rattlin’ Bones.

Drawing on both their songwriting talents and unique voices, Rattlin’ Bones heralded a return to the alternative country roots that first launched Chambers’ career, whilst establishing their own unique sound. A second album from the duo, Wreck and Ruin, followed in 2012.

In between times, both members of the duo have maintained their solo careers, both releasing their own albums.

Once in a While
Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

If I wasn't all you wanted
If I wasn't even close
Only hope that I made you smile
Maybe more than once in a while

If you never felt the blessing
If you only made it through
I only hope that I made you smile

Maybe more than once in a while

If we sleep right through the ending
If we slowly fade away
I'll only wish I'd gone that extra mile
Maybe more than once in a while

I only hope that I made you smile
Maybe more than once in a while

Maybe more than once in a while
Maybe more than once in a while

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson's song "Once in a While" capture the bittersweet emotion of loving someone deeply while knowing that the relationship may not last forever. The singer acknowledges their own imperfections and worries that they may not be enough for their partner, but they hold onto the hope that they have brought happiness and joy into their life. The line "If you never felt the blessing, if you only made it through" speaks to the idea that even if the relationship ultimately fails, the singer hopes that they made a positive impact on their partner's life and provided them with some small moments of joy and comfort along the way.

The chorus of the song repeats the line "I only hope that I made you smile, maybe more than once in a while," a sentiment that is both simple and profound. In the midst of a loving relationship, it's easy to get caught up in the everyday stresses and challenges and forget to appreciate the small moments of happiness that we share with our partners. The singer is holding onto the hope that they made a genuine connection with their partner and that even if things don't work out, they can still look back with fondness on the times when they made each other smile. Ultimately, "Once in a While" is a moving tribute to the power of connection and the importance of cherishing the moments of joy and happiness that we share with the people we love.

Line by Line Meaning

If I wasn't all you wanted
If I didn't completely fulfill your desires

If I wasn't even close
If I wasn't even in the vicinity of your expectations

Only hope that I made you smile
My sole hope is that I brought happiness to your face

Maybe more than once in a while
Possibly on more than an intermittent basis

If you never felt the blessing
If you never experienced the bliss

If you only made it through
If you only survived

I only hope that I made you smile
My singular expectation is that I put a grin on your face

If we sleep right through the ending
If we're not awake enough to witness the conclusion

If we slowly fade away
If we gradually disappear from each other's lives

I'll only wish I'd gone that extra mile
I'll regret not having put in more effort

Maybe more than once in a while
Possibly on more than an intermittent basis