Once
Maren Morris Lyrics


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Darling, please, we were too gone to stay
Couldn't get through the night, so we had to call it a day
The words came out, they couldn't be erased
Saw the pain in your eyes, and I knew everything had changed

I'm a traitor, I'm the cause
I'm the breaker of your heart
I ain't saying what you want
But baby, please, know that if

Somehow we make it alive
And both get out on the other side
I know this might be asking a lot
When it's all said and done
Don't forget that you loved me once

It's been months; I'm still seeing signs of you
Things that you wanted me to read, shit that you wanted me to do
If I'm left in the deepest part of your mind, it's cool
Oh, it's cool

Yeah, it hurts, I agree
You're still the first part of me
I know I set you free
But baby, please, know that if

Somehow we make it alive
And both get out on the other side
I know this might be asking a lot
When it's all said and done, don't forget that you loved me once

Know that if somehow we make it alive
And both get out on the other side
I know this might be asking a lot
When it's all said and done
Don't forget that you loved me once
I know this might be asking a lot




When it's all said and done
Don't forget that you loved me once

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Maren Morris's song "Once" tell a story of a failed relationship and the aftermath of trying to move on from it. The singer acknowledges their wrongdoings in the relationship, stating that they were the cause of the break-up and the one who broke their partner's heart. The chorus expresses a plea to not forget the love they had for each other, and to potentially reconcile in the future. The second verse shows the singer noticing reminders of their former partner and acknowledging the pain that still exists. Overall, the lyrics are reflective and contemplative, portraying a sense of longing and regret for what was lost.


One interesting fact about this song is that it was written by Maren Morris, along with other prominent songwriters in the country music industry, Shane McAnally and Mark Ronson. The song was released as a single in 2020, and it marks a departure from Morris's previous country sound, leaning more towards pop.


Another interesting fact is that the song was inspired by a conversation Morris had with her then-husband, Ryan Hurd. In an interview, Morris stated that Hurd mentioned the line "Don't forget that you loved me once," which stuck with her and became the basis for the song.


The music video for "Once" was directed by Gabrielle Woodland and features Morris performing in a barren desert landscape, surrounded by mirrors and an assortment of dancers. The video aligns with the reflective nature of the lyrics, creating a striking visual representation of the emotions conveyed in the song.


In an interview with Billboard, Morris stated that this song is one of her favorites that she's ever written, describing it as "a little bit of a sci-fi love story." Indeed, the song's lyrics contain a dream-like quality, with the singer imagining a future where they and their partner make it through the turmoil and come out the other side together.


The song received critical acclaim, with many praising Morris's powerful vocals and the emotional depth of the lyrics. It also performed well on country and pop charts, reaching the top 10 on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.


The chords for "Once" are as follows: G, D, Em, C.


Line by Line Meaning

Darling, please, we were too gone to stay
We were too far gone in our relationship to continue together.


Couldn't get through the night, so we had to call it a day
We couldn't resolve our issues and breakup was inevitable.


The words came out, they couldn't be erased
We said hurtful things to each other that can't be unsaid.


Saw the pain in your eyes, and I knew everything had changed
I could see the hurt in your eyes, and I knew our relationship had changed forever.


I'm a traitor, I'm the cause
I betrayed you and caused the end of our relationship.


I'm the breaker of your heart
I broke your heart by ending our relationship.


I ain't saying what you want
I can't give you the response you're hoping for.


But baby, please, know that if
Please understand that if things were different...


Somehow we make it alive
If there's any chance that we could survive this...


And both get out on the other side
If we can both make it through our issues...


I know this might be asking a lot
I understand that this is a big ask...


When it's all said and done
Once everything has passed and settled...


Don't forget that you loved me once
Remember that you once loved me, despite how things ended.


It's been months; I'm still seeing signs of you
Even though it's been months, I still see reminders of you.


Things that you wanted me to read, shit that you wanted me to do
Things you said or wanted me to do still haunt me.


If I'm left in the deepest part of your mind, it's cool
It's okay if you still think of me, even if just as a memory.


Yeah, it hurts, I agree
I understand that it hurt you too.


You're still the first part of me
You'll always have a special place in my heart.


I know I set you free
I know I ended things, but it was for the best.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Maren Morris, Michael James Ryan Busbee

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@riddyf7426

Darling, please, we were too gone to stay
Couldn't get through the night, so we had to call it a day
The words came out; they couldn't be erased
Saw the pain in your eyes, and I knew everything had changed

I'm a traitor, I'm the cause
I'm the breaker of your heart
I ain't saying what you want
But baby, please, know that if

Somehow we make it alive
And both get out on the other side
Oh, this might be asking a lot
When it's all said and done, don't forget that you loved me once

It's been months; I'm still seeing signs of you
Things that you wanted me to read, shit that you wanted me to do
If I'm left in the deepest part of your mind, it's cool
Oh, it's cool

Yeah, it hurts, I agree
You're still the first part of me
I know I set you free
But baby, please, know that if

Somehow we make it alive
And both get out on the other side
Oh, this might be asking a lot
When it's all said and done, don't forget that you loved me once

Somehow we make it alive
And both get out on the other side
Oh, this might be asking a lot
When it's all said and done, don't forget that you loved me once
I know this might be asking a lot
When it's all said and done, don't forget that you loved me once



All comments from YouTube:

@katelynsmith1035

one of the most underrated songs vocally and lyrically, forever love this one🔥❤️

@CeeCeeB.

Right??? Utterly gorgeous song

@HardCoreCAGaming

Her and Alicia should do an actual recorded version because the Grammy performance was amazing!

@chels11327

omg I'm OBSESSED and in complete love with this song. her voice, the lyrics, and even the sound of it. this one and "I Wish I Was". I love the songs that make me feel like I'm in an empty bar at closing time alone and depressed, like every depressing music video ever. lmfao! LOVE YOU MAREN! Keep doing your thing girl, you're gonna be the number one female country artist as soon as more people hear more of this album!!!!!!

@Prettygirlcn5

Chelsey Sexson Yeah good description of the setting!

@aubreyandjayden1658

Chelsey Sexson I thought the same. those are my two favs. very well written and the music matches.

@nekodakimbrough5961

my cousin got me listening... I have listened to the hero album like 30 times... she make you feel what she is singing, few are that good

@nickygaming1911

Chelsey Sexson my songs that made me in complete love is this one, sugar and let me show you how its done.

@matthewalexander3831

That chorus gets me every single time

@lanietzky

Great delivery and song writing. But remember, "You poison yourself slowly when you consistently hold space for those who aren't holding the same space for you. There is nothing fulfilling about unrequited energy." -Bill Chapata. So don't dwell on your heart ache too long!

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