Once In A While
Peyroux Madeleine Lyrics


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From bad luck
I'm walking away
I'm not getting stuck
I'm not gonna stay
To good things
I'm moving ahead
I'm tired of dying
I'm living instead

Once in a while I'll wake up
Wondering why we gave up
But once in a while
Comes and it fades away

The sun's up and lighting the sky
I never could see it
It just passed me by
Good things keep moving along
I'm not looking backward
For something that's gone

Once in a while I'll wake up
Wondering why we gave up
But once and a while
Comes and fades away

I don't know what love is
I'm selfish and lazy
And when I get scared
I can act like I'm crazy

When I think of your kisses
I'm still gonna smile
I'm still gonna miss you
Once in a while
Once in a while

Once in a while I'll wake up
Wondering why we gave up
But once in a while
Comes and it fades away

Good things keep moving ahead




I'm tired of dying
I'm living instead

Overall Meaning

In "Once in a While," Madeleine Peyroux sings about moving forward from past hardships and embracing the good things that come her way. The first stanza emphasizes the singer's determination to leave behind her bad luck and focus on her future. She's tired of feeling stuck and wants to live instead of constantly dying inside. The chorus expresses her occasional moments of doubt, where she wonders why things ended the way they did. However, these moments of uncertainty are transient, and she continues to push forward.


The second stanza speaks to the singer's newfound outlook on life. She now sees the beauty in things that she was previously blind to, like the rising sun. She's learned to let go of the past and not dwell on what she's lost. The bridge reveals some of the singer's flaws and insecurities. She recognizes that she's selfish, lazy, and can act crazy when scared. But despite her imperfections, she still thinks of her past lover and smiles at the memory of their kisses. The final stanza reinforces the idea that the singer is committed to moving forward and not getting stuck in the past.


Overall, "Once in a While" is a song about resilience and the power of inner strength. It encourages listeners to let go of their past hardships and focus on the good things that are yet to come.


Line by Line Meaning

From bad luck
Starting from an unfortunate situation


I'm walking away
Leaving the past behind


I'm not getting stuck
Not falling into the same trap


I'm not gonna stay
Not remaining in a place of discomfort


To good things
Moving towards a better future


I'm moving ahead
Looking towards a brighter tomorrow


I'm tired of dying
Sick of feeling defeated


I'm living instead
Resolving to enjoy life


Once in a while I'll wake up
Occasionally, I'll remember


Wondering why we gave up
Questioning why things fell apart


But once in a while
Intermittently


Comes and it fades away
Arrives briefly and then disappears


The sun's up and lighting the sky
The day is bright and full of opportunity


I never could see it
I used to be blind to the good things


It just passed me by
I let opportunities slip away


Good things keep moving along
Opportunities continue to present themselves


I'm not looking backward
I'm not dwelling on the past


For something that's gone
For things that can't be changed


I don't know what love is
I'm not sure what true love is


I'm selfish and lazy
I can be self-centered and unmotivated


And when I get scared
During moments of fear


I can act like I'm crazy
I sometimes behave irrationally


When I think of your kisses
Remembering tender moments


I'm still gonna smile
Despite everything, it still brings joy


I'm still gonna miss you
Still longing for the one I love


Good things keep moving ahead
Opportunities continue to present themselves


I'm tired of dying
Sick of feeling defeated


I'm living instead
Resolving to enjoy life




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG Rights Management
Written by: JESSE HARRIS, LARRY KLEIN, MADELEINE PEYROUX

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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