He was born in Berlin, and entered a Düsseldorf conservatory in 1947, graduating in 1957. In his student years, Doldinger gained professional performing experience, starting in 1953 in the German Dixieland band The Feetwarmers, and recording with them in 1955. Later that year he founded Oscar's Trio, modeled on Oscar Peterson's work. Doldinger is perhaps best known for his film scores to the acclaimed German U-Boat film "Das Boot" and later "The NeverEnding Story".
Doldinger is highly respected among German jazz fans and musicians. His jazzband Passport had huge success in Germany.
Doldinger married Inge Beck in 1960; they have three children, Viola, Melanie and Nicolas Doldinger. Since 1968 they have resided in Munich.
I Didn't Know What Time It Was
Klaus Doldinger Lyrics
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Yesterday, perhaps
Danced with Jim and Paul
And kissed some other chaps
Once I was young
But never was naive
I thought I had a trick or two
And now I know I was naive
I didn't know what time it was
Then I met you
Oh, what a lovely time it was
How sublime it was too
I didn't know what day it was
You held my hand
Warm like the month of May it was
And I'll say it was grand
Grand to be alive, to be young
To be mad, to be yours alone
Grand to see your face, feel your touch
Hear your voice say, "I'm all your own"
I didn't know what year it was
Life was no prize
I wanted love and here it was
Shining out of your eyes
I'm wise and I know what time it is now
Grand to be alive, to be young
To be mad, to be yours alone
Grand to see your face, feel your touch
Hear your voice say, "I'm all your own"
I didn't know what year it was
Life was no prize
I wanted love and here it was
Shining out of your eyes
I'm wise and I know what time it is now
These lyrics by Klaus Doldinger's song, "I Didn't Know What Time It Was," tell the story of a young woman who has been in love before, but never felt satisfied or truly happy until she met the person she is currently with. She reminisces about her past, when she was young and carefree, dancing with different men, feeling like she had tricks up her sleeve. However, she now realizes that she was naive, and the love she has found with her current partner is what truly makes life grand.
The lyrics express the beauty and excitement of falling in love, particularly when it comes unexpectedly. The person she is with has brought light to her life, and it is this love that makes everything else worthwhile. The lyrics also acknowledge the passage of time, and how time and experience have made her appreciate and value the love she has found even more.
Overall, the song's message is about the transformative power of love and how it can change a person's entire way of seeing and experiencing the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Once I was young
There was a time in my life when I was youthful and inexperienced
Yesterday, perhaps
The exact timing of this youthful period is unclear, but it was likely in the past
Danced with Jim and Paul
I engaged in social activities with men named Jim and Paul during my youth
And kissed some other chaps
I was not exclusively romantically involved with Jim and Paul, and also kissed other men
But never was naive
Despite my youth, I was never foolish or gullible
I thought I had a trick or two
I believed I possessed some clever strategies or skills
Up my imaginary sleeve
But these strategies and skills were not necessarily grounded in reality or feasible
And now I know I was naive
Upon looking back, I realize that I was in fact inexperienced and lacked true wisdom
I didn't know what time it was
At one point, I was directionless and uncertain
Then I met you
My life changed when I encountered you
Oh, what a lovely time it was
The period after meeting you was filled with joy and beauty
How sublime it was too
In fact, the experience was so wonderful that it was almost divine or transcendent
I didn't know what day it was
During this time, details like the date or time of day were unimportant to me
You held my hand
An intimate physical connection began to form between us
Warm like the month of May it was
This connection felt loving and comforting, like a pleasant spring day
And I'll say it was grand
Overall, this period was glorious and memorable
Grand to be alive, to be young
Life felt marvelous during this stage, filled with the excitement of youth
To be mad, to be yours alone
I was filled with intense passion, focused solely on you
Grand to see your face, feel your touch
Simply viewing your face and experiencing physical contact was incredibly fulfilling
Hear your voice say, "I'm all your own"
Hearing your vocal affirmation of our connection was deeply satisfying
Life was no prize
Prior to meeting you, my existence felt unsatisfying or lacking
I wanted love and here it was
My desire for an emotional connection was ultimately fulfilled by you
Shining out of your eyes
The love I received from you was tangible and clearly evident
I'm wise and I know what time it is now
As a result of our experience together, I am now much wiser and more aware of the realities of life
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: LORENZ HART, RICHARD RODGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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