Born on the 2nd February 1985 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Gardot took up piano and played as a youngster on the nightclub scene of Philadelphia, influenced by jazz, folk, rock, and pop musics. At the age of nineteen she was a fashion student at the Community College of Philadelphia. While cycling in Philadelphia in November 2003 she was hit by a car whose driver had ignored a red traffic light. In the accident she suffered serious head and spinal injuries, and her pelvis was broken in two places. Because of these severe injuries she was confined to her hospital bed for a year. Her musical beginning was prompted by a tending physician who was concerned with her cognitive impairment as a result of head injury sustained in the accident. He believed that music would help her brain injury improve, as it has been known to show remarkable results in improving people's cognitive ability after such trauma.
Following her doctor's suggestion, Gardot made recordings bedside, while still unable to walk, and eventually released the works as an EP: Some Lessons: The Bedroom Sessions (2005). Gardot's desire to be well, combined with a bit of luck, brought her to the attention of a local radio DJ at the AAA station WXPN (known for launching the careers of artists such as Amos Lee and Norah Jones). Her cognitive powers slowly but surely became pronounced, leading to the independent recording and release of her debut CD, Worrisome Heart, which was reissued in 2007 by Verve records.
Gardot is hypersensitive to light and noise, so wears dark glasses; she also uses a cane to walk. Onstage she requires a special seating unit, and wears a Transcutaneous Electro-Nerve Stimulator, a TENS device, to assist in alleviating her neuralgic muscle pain. Though touring is difficult, she has been performing in major cities on the East Coast of the U.S. to support her recordings. In 2009, working with producer Larry Klein and arranger Vince Mendoza - both known for their work with Joni Mitchell - Gardot followed up her Verve debut with My One and Only Thrill.
In 2012, she released the album The Absence.
Once I Was Loved
Melody Gardot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I was young
I don't recall the day when I first saw the sun
But what I am certain
What is enough
Is just to remember that once, once I was loved
I still surrender
No use pretending all the troubles ain't my own
But what I am certain
What is enough
Is just to remember that once, once I was loved
After the years gone by
What amounts to the years in a life
What have we come to
When we reach our final days?
If we can surrender, then that is enough
Just to remember that once, once we were loved
Once we were beautiful, once we were loved
If we can surrender
Then that is enough
Just to remember that once, once we were loved
In Melody Gardot's song "Once I Was Loved," we hear a nostalgic reflection on one's life amid a sense of loss and surrender. Gardot muses about the illusory nature of memory and recollection as she sings, "I don't remember when I was young, I don't recall the day when I first saw the sun." She admits to surrendering to unknown troubles, acknowledging difficulties that she cannot ignore. However, the song is not entirely gloomy, as Gardot affirms the importance of remembering and cherishing moments of love from the past, saying, "Just to remember that once, once I was loved." The song's listener is left with a sense of realizing the fleeting nature of time and the importance of acknowledging the people and moments which have impacted one's life.
The lyrics in "Once I Was Loved" serve to encapsulate a larger theme present throughout Melody Gardot's career. Since suffering a life-changing bicycle accident that left her with severe physical injuries and short-term memory loss, Gardot has emphasized the importance of cherishing moments and living in the present. This theme is apparent in the lyrics she writes, creating a sense of timelessness and nostalgia throughout her music. Additionally, the song uses a slow, meditative tempo and soft, melancholic instrumentation to further amplify the emotional depth of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't remember
I cannot recall
When I was young
During my childhood days
I don't recall the day when I first saw the sun
I cannot remember the exact day when I was born
But what I am certain
But I am absolutely sure
What is enough
What suffices
Is just to remember that once, once I was loved
Is to hold on to the memory of being loved in the past
I still surrender
I still give in
To troubles unknown
To unknown problems
No use pretending all the troubles ain't my own
There's no point in acting like the problems do not belong to me
After the years gone by
After the passage of time
What amounts to the years in a life
What the years have amounted to in a lifetime
What have we come to
What have we arrived at
When we reach our final days?
At the end of our lives?
If we can surrender, then that is enough
If we can let go, then it's all that matters
Just to remember that once, once we were loved
To hold on to the memory of being loved in the past
Once we were beautiful, once we were loved
Before, we were both physically attractive and cherished by others
If we can surrender
If we can release our grasp
Then that is enough
Then it's all that's necessary
Just to remember that once, once we were loved
To hold on to the memory of being loved in the past
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MELODY GARDOT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
whats-a-clever-username
I don't remember
When I was young
I don't recall the day when I first saw the sun
But what I am certain
What is enough
Is just to remember that once, once I was loved
I still surrender
To troubles unknown
No use pretending all the troubles ain't my own
But what I am certain
What is enough
Is just to remember that once, once I was loved
After the years gone by
What amounts to the years in a life
What have we come to
When we reach our final days?
If we can surrender, then that is enough
Just to remember that once, once we were loved
Once we were beautiful, once we were loved
If we can surrender
Then that is enough
Just to remember that once, once we were loved
Melissa Nava
Just saw the ice dancing bronze medalists, Hubbell and Donahue, skate to this and it was absolutely amazing and beautiful. Love this song!
NIGELXL40
Hi Melissa, I came here after watching that ice skating too
Valencia Ann
Me too !! It was such a beautiful performance and this song is fire !!❤️
Deborah Longayroux
Me too
Lily Monet
Yep thats what brought me here too
TheLboogie330
Me to could u post a clip.
whats-a-clever-username
I don't remember
When I was young
I don't recall the day when I first saw the sun
But what I am certain
What is enough
Is just to remember that once, once I was loved
I still surrender
To troubles unknown
No use pretending all the troubles ain't my own
But what I am certain
What is enough
Is just to remember that once, once I was loved
After the years gone by
What amounts to the years in a life
What have we come to
When we reach our final days?
If we can surrender, then that is enough
Just to remember that once, once we were loved
Once we were beautiful, once we were loved
If we can surrender
Then that is enough
Just to remember that once, once we were loved
ABorry Bleu
👏
Peter Turner
Beautiful music, amazing voice and, maybe even rarer, wonderful lyrics! We are in our 70's and married 53 years and every time my wife hears this song she cries.
enrique U
Congratulations Peter, that is so beautiful to here. I lost my wife with 51 years last july, she was all in my life and everytime I listen this song she comes to my heart. My best desires for you and your wife!