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.
She Used To Be Mine
Michael Crawford Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't be what she needs as long as she needs you
If you're the one she'll turn to from now on
There are things that you should know
About her when I'm gone
She's not as brave as she might seem
And when she's had a scary dream
She's not as strong as she should be
She cries at movies on TV
And counts on you to see that things go right
But she's a chance to make your dreams come true
To have someone who thinks there's nothing you can't do
A chance to live each day
And care the way you always knew you could
Take care of her for me
She used to be mine
She's not her best on rainy days
She'll test your love a hundred ways
She plays with your emotions like a song
She chases dreams that can't come true
And always tries too hard for you
And never knows just how to say she's wrong
But she's the chance to make your life complete
A chance to take these lonely days and make them sweet
A chance to feel so good
That everyone will wish they could be you
Take care of her for me
She used to mine
She'll never leave you anytime alone
She needs more time and tenderness
Than anyone you've known
But she's a chance you'll never have again
A chance that always seems to come to other men
A chance I can't forget
A chance that I somehow let slip away
Take care of her for me
She used to be mine...
The lyrics to Michael Crawford's song "She Used To Be Mine" depict a man who has accepted that he cannot be what his former lover needs as long as she still needs the person she turned to. He acknowledges that there are things that her new partner needs to know about her when he is gone, including her vulnerability and sensitivity. The man also highlights that she can be a handful of emotions and dreams, but she's worth it because taking care of her is a chance to make dreams come true and live life in a more fulfilling way. The song is a farewell to the woman he once knew, but it's also a request for her new partner to take care of her in his absence.
The lyrics of "She Used To Be Mine" create a poignant sense of loss and regret for a past love, and they reinforce the importance of caring for someone who once meant everything. The song encourages the idea that people are worth it, no matter how many challenges they may bring to life. The lyrics' themes of compassion and understanding underscore the need for emotional support in relationships and the value of holding onto those who matter most.
Line by Line Meaning
I understand there's nothing I can do
I know that I cannot change anything
I can't be what she needs as long as she needs you
I cannot be who she needs as long as she still needs you
If you're the one she'll turn to from now on
If she seeks comfort in you from now on
There are things that you should know
There are things you should be aware of
About her when I'm gone
About her when I'm no longer here
She's not as brave as she might seem
She is not as courageous as she appears to be
And when she's had a scary dream
When she has had a frightening dream
If you don't hold her she won't sleep all night
If you do not hold her, she will not sleep through the night
She's not as strong as she should be
She is not as resilient as she ought to be
She cries at movies on TV
She sheds tears while watching TV movies
And counts on you to see that things go right
She relies on you to ensure that things go well
But she's a chance to make your dreams come true
She is an opportunity to fulfill your aspirations
To have someone who thinks there's nothing you can't do
To have a person who believes that you can do anything
A chance to live each day
An opportunity to enjoy each day
And care the way you always knew you could
And show care the way you always knew you could
Take care of her for me
Please take good care of her on my behalf
She used to be mine
She was once mine to take care of
She's not her best on rainy days
She is not at her best on gloomy days
She'll test your love a hundred ways
She will challenge your affection in countless ways
She plays with your emotions like a song
She engages with your feelings like playing music
She chases dreams that can't come true
She pursues dreams that are impossible to realize
And always tries too hard for you
And always puts in too much effort for you
And never knows just how to say she's wrong
And never knows precisely how to admit that she is wrong
But she's the chance to make your life complete
She is the opportunity to make your life perfect
A chance to take these lonely days and make them sweet
An opportunity to turn dull days into pleasant ones
A chance to feel so good
An opportunity to feel fantastic
That everyone will wish they could be you
That everyone will envy you
She'll never leave you anytime alone
She will never leave you alone
She needs more time and tenderness
She needs more time and affection
Than anyone you've known
More than anyone you have ever met
But she's a chance you'll never have again
But she is an opportunity that you will never get again
A chance that always seems to come to other men
An opportunity that always seems to go to other men
A chance I can't forget
An opportunity that I cannot forget
A chance that I somehow let slip away
An opportunity that I somehow missed
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: MARTIN PANZER, STEVE DORFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@janebishop5885
One of the most beautiful songs and unparalleled with Michael Crawford!
No one can do phrasing like this talented man.
@laurieleavitt1094
This is the story of my Life. Plus this song is next to impossible to find. Thanks!
@ironcarvel
One of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. Every time I hear it, it brings me so many memories of a love long gone. Yes, I cry a lot.
@kathleenbaxter9102
So Lovely! Many Happy Returns for 19th January Michael!! Thanks for being you!
@SingInTune
This album is very precious to me.
@nataleelowe5643
What is the album called?
@SingInTune
@Natalee lowe A touch of music in the night.
@andrewstephens2040
This song came into mind today upon hearing that one of my ex-girlfriends got engaged. Happy for her as I was but jealous too, I told her fiancé exactly to “take good care of her for me; she used to be mine”. 😭
@jeannahicks7251
This is beautiful. I'd never heard this before.
@toughgirl78100
I had a childhood boyfriend die and we’d gone our seperate ways but he will always hold a special place in my heart. This reminds me of him. 💔