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Mel Torme Gerry Mulligan George Shearing Lyrics

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It seems to me I've heard that song before
It's from an old familiar score
I know it well, that melody

It's funny how a theme
Recalls a favorite dream
A dream that brought you so close to me

I know each word, because I've heard that song before
The lyrics said: "for evermore"
For ever more's a memory

Please have them play it again

And (Then) I'll remember just when
I heard that lovely song before

Overall Meaning

The song "I've Heard That Song Before" speaks about the familiarity of a particular melody and how it recalls a favorite dream. The singer expresses that they know every word to the song because they've heard it before. The lyrics convey that the theme of the song brings back memories of a particular loved one, and the singer yearns to hear it again. By repeating the phrase "I've heard that song before" throughout the song, the singer emphasizes the feeling of déjà vu that comes with hearing a melody from the past. The song's nostalgia is complemented by the light and cheerful music, which makes it perfect for dancing and evokes happy memories.

The lyrics' simplicity may lead one to believe that the song is about a recent memory, but it was released in 1942 with music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Sammy Cahn. In the context of the time, the lyrics held a deeper meaning as they spoke to soldiers going off to war, hoping to come back to their loved ones just as the song came back in their heads. The song gained immense popularity during World War II, becoming an anthem for soldiers and their loved ones. "I've Heard That Song Before" was recorded by numerous artists, including Harry James and His Orchestra, Dinah Shore, and Peggy Lee.

Line by Line Meaning

It seems to me I've heard that song before
The familiarity of this song strikes me as if I've heard it before

It's from an old familiar score
This tune comes from a well-known piece of music

I know it well, that melody
I'm quite familiar with that tune

It's funny how a theme
It's interesting how a musical motif

Recalls a favorite dream
Brings back to mind a cherished memory

A dream that brought you so close to me
A memory that has me feeling close to you once more

I know each word, because I've heard that song before
I'm familiar with every lyric because I've heard this song previously

The lyrics said: "for evermore"
The words of the song proclaimed: "for all eternity"

For ever more's a memory
Those words are now a recollection of a time past

Please have them play it again
Kindly request for the melody to be played once more

And (Then) I'll remember just when
At which point, I'll reminisce and recall the particular moment