Como was also very popular in the UK. His chart successes ranged from 1953 to 1974 and included two number one's, his first hit 'Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes' in 1953 and 'Magic Moments' which stayed at the top for 8 weeks in 1958. His other big UK hits were 'Delaware' ( No 3 in 1960), ' It's Impossible' (No 4 in 1971) , 'And I Love You So' (No 3 in 1973), and 'For The Good Times' (No 7 in 1973).
As well as TV and recording success, Perry Como also made a number of films, including ' Something For The Boys' and 'Doll Face' which were released during WW2.
He died in his sleep on 12 May 2001.
Sunrise Sunset
Perry Como Lyrics
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Is this the little girl i carried?
Is this the little boy at play?
I don't remember growing older,
When did they?
When did she get to be a beauty?
When did he grow to be so tall?
Sunrise sunset, sunrise, sunset,
Swiftly flow the days,
Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers,
Blossoming even as they gaze...
Sunrise sunset, sunrise, sunset!
Swiftly fly the years,
One season following another,
Laden with happiness and tears...
One season following another,
Laden with happiness and tears...
(sunrise, sunset, sunrise, sunset...)
Perry Como's "Sunrise Sunset" is a poignant song that reflects on the passage of time and the stages of life. The opening lyrics, "sunrise, sunset, sunrise, sunset" serve as a reminder of the cyclical and fleeting nature of time. The song then shifts to a reflection on childhood and the marvel of seeing children grow up. The lyric "Is this the little girl I carried? Is this the little boy at play?" speaks to the bittersweet feeling of watching time pass and children grow up. The line "I don't remember growing older, when did they?" beautifully captures the sense of disbelief that often comes with aging and the feeling that time has moved too quickly.
The song then moves into a meditation on the beauty and passage of life through the metaphor of a sunflower. The lyric "Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers, blossoming even as they gaze" emphasizes the rapidity of life's changes and how quickly we can lose sight of what is important. The final stanza changes the refrain to "swiftly fly the years, one season following another, laden with happiness and tears" and captures the bittersweet reality of growing older and experiencing both joy and sorrow.
This song has been interpreted in many ways, but the most common interpretation is that it serves as a meditation on the ephemeral nature of life and the importance of cherishing the moments that we have.
Line by Line Meaning
Is this the little girl i carried?
Is it really possible that the small baby which was carried by me is now grown up and become a lady?
Is this the little boy at play?
Is it imaginable that the small boy who used to play around is now a grown up man?
I don't remember growing older,
I can't believe that I am getting older day by day and I don't even realize it.
When did they?
When did they grow up without me even noticing?
When did she get to be a beauty?
When did she become so attractive? I remember her only as a little girl.
When did he grow to be so tall?
When did he become so tall? I still remember how small he was.
Wasn't it yesterday when they were small?
I feel like it was just yesterday when they were little kids playing around.
Sunrise sunset, sunrise, sunset,
The cycle of sunrise and sunset depicts the passage of days and years.
Swiftly flow the days,
The days pass by quickly which is evident from the rotation of sun and moon.
Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers,
The transition from small seedlings to fully grown sunflowers seems like an overnight phenomenon.
Blossoming even as they gaze...
The flowers continue to blossom and grow even as people admire them.
Sunrise sunset, sunrise, sunset!
The sun will continue to rise and set according to its schedule, no matter how fast time is passing us by.
Swiftly fly the years,
The years pass by quickly which we hardly ever realize until we look back.
One season following another,
Every season, be it summer, winter, fall or spring, follows the other in a predictable cycle.
Laden with happiness and tears...
Life is full of happiness and sorrow and every day is a mix of both.
One season following another,
The cycle of seasons is never-ending, as is the cycle of life and death.
Laden with happiness and tears...
Life is a rollercoaster ride with both happy and sad moments.
Lyrics © BOCK IP LLC, BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jerrold Bock, Sheldon Harnick
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind