Sayer launched his career in the United Kingdom in the early 1970s, and became a top singles and album act on both sides of the Atlantic in the 1970s. His first seven hit singles in the United Kingdom all reached the Top 10 – a feat first registered by his first manager, Adam Faith. His songs have been sung by other notable artists, including Cliff Richard ("Dreamin'").
Once in a While
Leo Sayer Lyrics
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How hard it is to get it all right
I`m looking here and I`m lookin` there
I see a heart broken
Pieces everywhere
Wouldn`t you try and wouldn`t you know
You try so hard still to let it all go
I think I`m gonna have that luck again
What`ll I do if you walk away
What`ll I do if you walk away
Well I haven`t a chance
No I haven`t a chance
Once in a while I get this feeling
Now and again I`m all in a daze
Time after time I ask myself this
Will you walk away
Once in a while I get this feeling
A crazy notion -- a careless thought
I start to worry and time gets short
We`ll think of this my dear young one
The time to act has just begun
Leo Sayer's song "Once In A While" expresses the difficulties of maintaining a relationship and the pressure of getting it right. Sayer reflects on how he thinks about this almost every night and how hard it is to keep it all together. He sees the broken heart and pieces everywhere, which brings him to question whether he should keep trying to let it all go or not. Despite the struggles that come with it, he can't help but feel that he has got to try again because the thought of losing someone is unbearable.
The chorus of the song speaks to the sense of uncertainty that comes with these relationships. Even when things seem to be going well with someone, there's always the possibility that the relationship will falter, and they will walk away. Sayer wonders what he would do if this happens, knowing that he hasn't got a chance to hold on to that person. He implores his partner to think of their relationship and how they can work together to make it better before it's too late. The time to act, he says, is now.
"Once in a while I get this feeling" talks about the rollercoaster of emotions that come with love. Sometimes we are swept away by the feeling of love, but other times we feel lost, in a daze. Sayer acknowledges the ebb and flow of the feeling of love, which inspires us to keep trying, keep holding on despite the struggles.
Overall, "Once In A While" speaks to the perseverance of love, the importance of teamwork in a relationship, and the need to acknowledge our feelings amidst the ups and downs that come with love.
Line by Line Meaning
I think of this most every night
The singer often contemplates a certain situation at night.
How hard it is to get it all right
The singer finds the situation difficult to navigate.
I'm looking here and I'm lookin' there
The singer is searching for a solution.
I see a heart broken
The artist sees that someone was hurt in the situation.
Pieces everywhere
The situation is chaotic and overwhelming.
Wouldn't you try and wouldn't you know
The singer questions why others wouldn't attempt to solve the situation.
You try so hard still to let it all go
Even though others try to move on, the situation weighs heavily on them.
Too much trouble and too much pain
The situation is causing a lot of suffering for everyone involved.
I think I'm gonna have that luck again
The artist fears that they will experience negative outcomes once more.
What'll I do if you walk away
The artist worries about the consequences if someone important leaves.
Well I haven't a chance
The singer feels helpless and unable to prevent them from leaving.
Once in a while I get this feeling
The artist experiences a certain emotion occasionally.
Now and again I'm all in a daze
The singer becomes overwhelmed and disoriented.
Time after time I ask myself this
The singer frequently ponders about something.
Will you walk away
The singer fears that someone will abandon them.
A crazy notion -- a careless thought
The artist recognizes that their thoughts might be irrational or unreasonable.
I start to worry and time gets short
The artist becomes anxious that time is running out.
We'll think of this my dear young one
The singer will consider the situation with someone younger and less experienced.
The time to act has just begun
It is not too late to take action and change the outcome of the situation.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TARNEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Myke Duncan23
Still loving this tune...and others from leo sayer...more than i can say...and living in a fantasy
steve radford
Was always surprised that this did NOTHING on the chart, especially after he had reached N0.2 in UK with previous single "More Than I Can Say".
eggy1962
Its my fav leo song