One Time
OTIS JUNIOR Lyrics
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Collected all the stones, built it on my own
Stories on top of stories left untold
Together with no plans of ever-growing old
But now I look around and all that I can see
(All that I can see, all that I can see, all that I can see)
Is every brick I lay, keeping the world from me
Well, safety for me then is prison to me now
But I built this wall so well it′s hard to tear it down, no
And I don't know what I see
But if I′m speaking truthfully
I know it ain't easy, it ain't easy
But if I could just get one time
When everything just fell in line
Oh, release me, release me
It′s crazy what we do to stay alive
The prices that we pay to enlist in sunrise
I had so many needs I set aside
But now that I survived, I′m learning how to thrive
'Cause now I look around and don′t know what I see
(Don't know what I see, don′t know what I see, don't know what I see)
Is this just empty space or opportunity?
What used to scare me then, I′m seeing daily now
(Seeing daily now, seeing daily now, seeing daily now, so)
So I trade my comfort zone for new uncharted ground, oh-ah
And I don't know what I see
But if I'm speaking truthfully
I know it ain′t easy, it ain′t easy
But if I could just get one time
When everything just fell in line
Oh, release me, release me
I don't know what I see
But if I′m speaking truthfully
I know it ain't easy, it ain′t easy
But if I could just get one time
When everything just fell in line
Oh, release me, release me, oh-ah
I don't know what I see
But if I′m speaking truthfully
I know it ain't easy, it ain't easy, yeah
And if I could just get one time
When it all fell in line
Oh, release me, release me, yeah
The lyrics of "One Time" by Otis Junior tell a story of breaking down the walls that we build around ourselves. The singer describes how he constructed a fortress wall around himself, so thick and tall that it keeps the world outside from reaching him and keeping him in prison. However, as he looks around, he realizes that the wall he worked so hard to build is now keeping him from exploring the world and experiencing new opportunities. The singer yearns for a release, for just one time when everything falls in line, so that he can break free from his self-imposed confinement.
The song's message speaks to the human desire for safety and control but also reflects the cost of staying within our comfort zones. The singer realizes that he must stop hiding behind his walls and start taking risks to truly live. He acknowledges that this is not an easy task and that it comes with a price, but he continues to search for that one moment of release when everything falls into place. Musically, the song's soulful melody matches its thoughtful lyrics, creating a reflective and emotional track that resonates with the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
I used to live behind a fortress wall
In the past, I isolated myself from the world and built a barrier around me.
Collected all the stones, built it on my own
I put in an individual effort to create the fortress around me.
Stories on top of stories left untold
I had many experiences that I never shared with anyone.
Together with no plans of ever-growing old
I didn't consider having a long-term future with anyone.
But now I look around and all that I can see (All that I can see, all that I can see, all that I can see)
Currently, I'm noticing everything around me.
Is every brick I lay, keeping the world from me
The walls I built are hindering me from experiencing life.
Well, safety for me then is prison to me now (Prison to me now, prison to me now, prison to me now, but)
The sense of security I had is now suffocating me.
But I built this wall so well it's hard to tear it down, no
It's challenging for me to take down the walls since I built them well.
And I don't know what I see
I'm not sure what I'm looking at or what is happening around me.
But if I'm speaking truthfully
If I'm honest with myself,
I know it ain't easy, it ain't easy
I understand that it's not going to be a simple journey.
But if I could just get one time
But just once, if I could have this experience,
When everything just fell in line
When everything works out perfectly as I hoped.
Oh, release me, release me
I want to be free from my limiting beliefs and the walls I built around me.
It's crazy what we do to stay alive
It's insane the lengths we go to survive.
The prices that we pay to enlist in sunrise
The sacrifices we have to make to get up and conquer the day.
I had so many needs I set aside
I had to push aside my wants and needs to survive.
But now that I survived, I'm learning how to thrive
Since I made it through, I'm discovering how to live, not just survive.
'Cause now I look around and don't know what I see (Don't know what I see, don't know what I see, don't know what I see)
I'm confused about what's happening now that I'm free.
Is this just empty space or opportunity?
I'm not sure if what's in front of me is vacant or a chance to grow.
What used to scare me then, I'm seeing daily now (Seeing daily now, seeing daily now, seeing daily now, so)
What used to be intimidating, I'm encountering regularly.
So I trade my comfort zone for new uncharted ground, oh-ah
I'm willing to give up my previous security for new and unfamiliar situations.
And if I could just get one time
If I could experience,
When everything just fell in line
When everything works out wonderfully.
Oh, release me, release me, oh-ah
Hardships restrict me, so I want to be freed.
And if I could just get one time
If only I could have,
When it all fell in line
Everything aligns perfectly.
Oh, release me, release me, yeah
Let me be free.
I don't know what I see
I'm unsure about what is happening.
But if I'm speaking truthfully
But if I'm being honest with myself,
I know it ain't easy, it ain't easy, yeah
I realize it's not a simple process.
Writer(s): Roman Aprile, Otis Crawford
Contributed by Sebastian O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.