The song is dedicated to Ryan White, a young victim of AIDS who Michael befriended prior to his death. Michael performed this song at the ball for former President Bill Clinton's first inauguration on January 20, 1993, where he highlighted the importance of supporting research for a cure to this disease.
The track was included on the compilation album, Diana Princess of Wales Tribute, released by Sony in December, 1997, shortly after the death of Princess Diana.
Usher performed "Gone Too Soon" after Jackson's death at his memorial service at the Staples Center in 2009.
Gone Too Soon
Michael Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Blazing 'cross the evening sky
Gone too soon
Like a rainbow
Fading in the twinkling of an eye
Gone too soon
And splendidly bright
Here one day
Gone one night
Like the loss of sunlight
On a cloudy afternoon
Gone too soon
Like a castle
Built upon a sandy beach
Gone too soon
Like a perfect flower
That is just beyond your reach
Gone too soon
Born to amuse, to inspire, to delight
Here one day
Gone one night
Like a sunset
Dying with the rising of the moon
Gone too soon
Gone too soon
The lyrics of Michael Jackson's song "Gone Too Soon" are an emotional reflection on the briefness and fragility of life. The comparison to a comet or a rainbow highlights the transitory nature of existence, and the line "shiny and sparkly and splendidly bright" further emphasizes the brilliance of those who pass away too soon. The loss is likened to the disappearance of sunlight on a cloudy day or a castle built upon a sandy beach - something that disappears before we are ready to let go. The image of a perfect flower just beyond reach adds an element of poignancy, and the song suggests that those who leave us too soon were "born to amuse, to inspire, to delight."
The repetition of "here one day, gone one night" throughout the song is a powerful reminder of how life can change in an instant. The chorus references a sunset dying with the rising of the moon, further emphasizing the metaphor of fleeting beauty. Overall, the lyrics offer a tribute to the people who have touched our lives in profound ways, but who were taken away too soon.
Line by Line Meaning
Like a comet
Similar to a celestial phenomenon that shoots across the sky
Blazing 'cross the evening sky
Moving quickly and brightly during the evening
Gone too soon
Passing away too early or unexpectedly
Like a rainbow
Similar to a colorful and beautiful meteorological phenomenon
Fading in the twinkling of an eye
Disappearing very quickly and suddenly
Shiny and sparkly
Gleaming and luminous
And splendidly bright
Gloriously radiant and dazzling
Here one day
Present for a short time
Gone one night
Disappeared suddenly and unexpectedly
Like the loss of sunlight
Resembling the absence of warmth and brightness that sunshine provides
On a cloudy afternoon
During a time that is already dim and dreary
Like a castle
Comparative to a grand and imposing structure
Built upon a sandy beach
Constructed on an unstable and temporary foundation
Like a perfect flower
Similar to a flawless and beautiful plant
That is just beyond your reach
Out of your grasp and unattainable
Born to amuse, to inspire, to delight
Created to entertain, motivate, and please
Here one day
Present for a short time
Gone one night
Disappeared suddenly and unexpectedly
Like a sunset
Similar to the natural phenomenon that marks the end of the day
Dying with the rising of the moon
Fading away as darkness descends
Gone too soon
Passing away too early or unexpectedly
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Larry Grossman, Alan "buz" Kohan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sailorvenus6505
Like a comet
Blazing 'cross the evening sky
Gone too soon
Like a rainbow
Fading in the twinkling of an eye
Gone too soon
Shiny and sparkly
And splendidly bright
Here one day
Gone one night
Like the loss of sunlight
On a cloudy afternoon
Gone too soon
Like a castle
Built upon a sandy beach
Gone too soon
Like a perfect flower
That is just beyond your reach
Gone too soon
Born to amuse, to inspire, to delight
Here one day
Gone one night
Like a sunset
Dying with the rising of the moon
Gone too soon
@valeriaboyanova9748
M - Man in the mirror
I - I just can't stop loving you
C - Carousel
H - Heal the world
A - All night dancin'
E - Earth song
L - Love never felt so good
J - Just good friends
A - Another part of me
C - Come together
K - Keep the faith
S - Someone in the dark
O - One more chance
N - Never can say goodbye
@thepurplefeatherangelthera3304
Anyone else here in tears?
Michael cared so much about the children and ordinary people.
How dare people tarnish his name. He's an earth angel. 😇
@chelleowen5777
True
@willybrown641
For sure...
@user-xp9sf2dx6t
I’m in tears because today (on August 30) my grandpa died at age 68 😞
@tristanlansangan5729
Miss two of you.
@marcell285
I do 😥
@bigl2996
The saddest part of life is when the people who gave you the best memories become a memory
RIP Michael Jackson
RIP Ryan White
@ellenvanous3901
That was a beautiful statement! When someone loved becomes a memory, that is the saddest part of life.
Thank you.😎🌻🙏
RIP Michael and RyanXXOO
@yahairakuiperi6011
Yes, indeed! ❤️
@18thaispb
What a beautiful statement!