Finding his voice in a school choir, Crawford began his professional career still a teenager. Having some luck on the London stage in the early 60s, he then found his way onto the BBC and starred in various programmes such as 'Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em'. He also had film roles in 'The War Lover', 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum'. and 'How I Won the War' (which brought him into the same work as John Lennon).
Andrew Lloyd Webber's casting of him opposite Sarah Brightman and Steve Barton as the Phantom in 1986 shot his career into high gear. Winning a Tony Award for his role, Crawford also had the aforementioned tune, "The Music Of The Night", reach the British Top Ten. He has released several studio albums such as 'A Touch of Music in the Night' and 'On Eagle's Wings' among others.
One of My Best Friends
Michael Crawford Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The light isn't good but their outlines are clear
I'm talking of solitude, silence and doubt
I try to escape them, they soon found me out
Some of my old friends are here
Some of my friends call today
They knew without asking I've thrown it away
The person to run my affairs isn't me
Some of my friends call today
This smile may try to say we never guess
But they knew I lie by pretending
My world wasn't ending
I'm free but it's all for the best
One of my best friends is gone
Not knowing I watched her walkout where upon
The words I've been crazy to hold back before
Came crashing like waves on a white empty shore
And no one has ever loved anyone more
One of my best friends is gone
The words I've been crazy to hold back before
Came crashing like waves on a white empty shore
And no one has ever loved anyone more
One of my best friends is gone
In Michael Crawford's song "One of My Best Friends," he reflects on different forms of loneliness and loss. In the first verse, Crawford acknowledges the presence of solitude, silence, and doubt as his companions. While he tries to escape from them, they always find a way to catch up to him. In the second verse, Crawford contemplates the nature of true friends who know him without even asking. He realizes that he has given away his power to think and act freely, and someone else is running his life for him. The chorus alludes to the facade of happiness that he tries to put up, but his real friends see through it all.
The final verse deals with a personal loss that Crawford has experienced. It appears to be about the death of a close friend or lover, someone whom he loved deeply. The lines "The words I've been crazy to hold back before, came crashing like waves on a white empty shore, and no one has ever loved anyone more," express the intensity of his feelings and his grief. The repetition of these lines serves to emphasize the depth of his loss and the connection he felt with this person who is now gone.
Overall, the song is a poignant reflection on the ups and downs of life and relationships, and the emotional toll that they can take on us. Crawford's powerful vocals and emotional delivery make "One of My Best Friends" a moving and impactful piece of music.
Line by Line Meaning
Some of my old friends are here
I am surrounded by solitude, silence, and doubt which I try to escape but they always find me. They are my old friends.
The light isn't good but their outlines are clear
Although the surroundings are dim, I can clearly see the outlines of my old friends- solitude, silence, and doubt.
I'm talking of solitude, silence and doubt
Solitude, silence, and doubt are the friends that are always with me that I am referring to.
I try to escape them, they soon found me out
Although I try to get away from my old friends, they always find me again.
Some of my friends call today
Some of my close friends call me today.
They knew without asking I've thrown it away
My close friends know without asking that I have lost everything- in thought, word, and deed, and that I am incapable of managing my own affairs.
My thought, word, or deed almost likely all free
I am incapable of keeping my thoughts, words or deeds in check and am therefore not in control.
The person to run my affairs isn't me
I am unable to run my own affairs; someone else must do it for me.
This smile may try to say we never guess
I try to hide my true emotions with a smile.
But they knew I lie by pretending
My close friends know I am lying and pretending with my smile.
My world wasn't ending
I am trying to convince myself that my world is not ending.
I'm free but it's all for the best
I am free from responsibilities, but it may not necessarily be a good thing.
One of my best friends is gone
One of my closest friends has left me.
Not knowing I watched her walkout where upon
My friend left without realizing that I was watching her leave.
The words I've been crazy to hold back before
These are the feelings I've been trying to hold back for so long.
Came crashing like waves on a white empty shore
My emotions are overwhelming and are crashing down on me like waves on a shore.
And no one has ever loved anyone more
I loved my friend more than anyone has loved anyone else.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: RICHARD KERR, TIM RICE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind