He was born in San Piero Patti, Sicily. His family emigrated to the United States in 1920 and settled in Santa Rosa, California. He started his musical career playing the baritone, like his father, but he quickly branched out into other instruments, notably the French horn and the piano. He received a bachelor's degree from San Francisco State College, and then studied composition with Darius Milhaud at Mills College in Oakland, California.
After he graduated, he was hired as an arranger and composer by guitarist and bandleader Johnny Richards. He spent World War II playing with Paul Desmond in an army band.
After WWII Rugolo went to work for Stan Kenton who headed one of the most progressive big bands of the time. Rugolo provided arrangements and original compositions that drew on his knowledge of 20th century music, sometimes blurring the boundaries between the ballroom and the concert hall.
While Rugolo continued to work occasionally with Kenton in the 1950s, he spent more time creating arrangements for pop vocalists, including June Christy, Peggy Lee and the Four Freshmen. During this period he also worked for a while on musicals at MGM, and served as an A&R director for Mercury Records in the late 1950s. Among his many albums were Adventures In Rhythm, Introducing Pete Rugolo, Rugolomania, Reeds In Hi-Fi and Music For Hi-Fi Bugs.
Once in a While
Pete Rugolo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One little thought to me
Though someone else may be
Nearer your heart?
Once in a while will you dream
Of the moments I shared with you
Moments before we two
In love's smoldering ember
One spark may remain
If love still can remember
That spark may burn again
I know that I'll be contented
With yesterday's memory
Knowing you think of me
Once in a while
In love's smoldering ember
One spark may remain
If love still can remember
The spark may burn again
I know that I'll be contented
With yesterday's memory
Knowing you think of me
Once in a while
The song "Once In a While" by Pete Rugolo is a reflective and mournful tune about unrequited love. The lyrics begin with a plea for the person the singer loves to acknowledge them, even if they are not the one closest to their heart. The singer then asks the person to recall the moments they shared before drifting apart, as they hold on to the memory of those times. The song suggests that even when a relationship ends, there may be moments of doubt and regret when the two lovers wonder what might have happened if they had stayed together. The lyrics express a deep sense of longing and loss, as well as a wistful hope for what might have been.
Through the metaphor of a "love's smoldering ember," the song captures the idea that love can reignite even after it has seemed to die out. The idea of a spark burning again suggests that there is always the possibility of rekindling a lost romance. However, the singer also recognizes that sometimes memories are all that remains, and he indicates that even the thought that the person he loves still thinks of him "once in a while" is enough to bring him a small measure of comfort.
Overall, "Once In a While" is a poignant song that speaks to the deep emotions people experience when they feel disconnected from the ones they love. It suggests that even in the midst of heartbreak, there is always the hope that love can still find a way.
Line by Line Meaning
Once in a while will you try to give
Can you try to think of me every now and then
One little thought to me
Just a momentary reflection of our past together
Though someone else may be
Even though you may have moved on and found someone new
Nearer your heart?
Who holds a closer place in your heart now?
Once in a while will you dream
Would you ever allow your mind to wander and think of our past memories
Of the moments I shared with you
Remembering the good times we once had together
Moments before we two
Just before the time when we had to part ways
Drifted apart?
Because of different paths we chose to take
In love's smoldering ember
Even though our love may have faded
One spark may remain
There could be a little spark still left lingering
If love still can remember
If our love can still retain its memory
That spark may burn again
It's a possibility that our love may reignite
I know that I'll be contented
I'll be satisfied to have our past memories
With yesterday's memory
The memories of the love we once shared
Knowing you think of me
Just knowing that I cross your mind from time to time
Once in a while
Every now and then, but not always or constantly
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BUD GREEN, MICHAEL EDWARDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind