Richard St. John Harris (October 1, 1930 – October 25, 2002) was an Irish a… Read Full Bio ↴Richard St. John Harris (October 1, 1930 – October 25, 2002) was an Irish actor, singer and songwriter. He appeared in Camelot (1967), A Man Called Horse (1970) and, at the end of his career, the first two Harry Potter movies. He was a notorious playboy and drinker, part of a rowdy generation of talented Irish and British actors that included Albert Finney, Richard Burton and Peter O'Toole. As a singer, Harris is best remembered for his recording of Jimmy Webb's song "MacArthur Park", which reached the top ten in sales on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean in 1968.

Didn't we
Richard Harris Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

This time we almost made the pieces fit
Didn't we?
This time we almost made some sense of it
Didn't we?
This time I had the answer, right here in my hand
Then I touched it and it had turned to sand

This time we almost sang our song in tune

Didn't we, love?
This time we almost made it, made it to the moon
Didn't we, love?
This time we almost made our poem rhyme
This time we almost made that long hard climb
Didn't we almost make it?

Didn't we almost make it?
Didn't we almost make it this time?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Didn't We" by Richard Harris talk about a love that almost worked out, but didn't quite make it. The first verse describes the feeling of having the answer to their problems in their hand, but when they touch it, it falls apart into nothing. This could represent the feeling of when things seemed to be falling into place, but then something unexpectedly goes wrong, destroying the hope of a happy ending.

The second verse talks about the couple's journey to achieving their dream and the things they almost succeeded in. They almost sang their song in tune, almost made it to the moon, and almost made their poem rhyme. However, they fell short of their achievements in the end. The last line of the song repeats the question "Didn't we almost make it?" emphasizing the fact that they came close but didn't quite make it.

The song captures the feeling of almost achieving something - that bittersweet feeling of being so close yet so far. It speaks to the uncertainty and disappointment that can arise in relationships and life in general.

Line by Line Meaning

This time we almost made the pieces fit
We were close to making everything work out

Didn't we?
Right?

This time we almost made some sense of it
We were close to understanding everything

Didn't we?
Right?

This time I had the answer, right here in my hand
I thought I had figured it all out

Then I touched it and it had turned to sand
But everything fell apart when I tried to implement my plan

This time we almost sang our song in tune
We were really close to being in harmony

Didn't we, love?
Did you feel the same way?

This time we almost made it, made it to the moon
We were so close to reaching our goal

Didn't we, love?
Did you think we were going to make it too?

This time we almost made our poem rhyme
We almost made everything fit together perfectly

This time we almost made that long hard climb
We were close to overcoming a major obstacle

Didn't we almost make it?
We were so close to succeeding, weren't we?

Didn't we almost make it?
We almost achieved our goal

Didn't we almost make it this time?
But we fell just short once again

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jimmy L Webb

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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01Didn't we

Richard Harris

02Didn't We - With Interlude2:56

03Paper Chase - Without Interlude2:50

04Name Of My Sorrow - With Interlude3:52

05Lovers Such As I - With Interlude4:05

06In The Final Hours2:45

07MacArthur Park7:18

08Dancing Girl - With Interlude2:11

09If You Must Leave My Life3:18

10A Tramp Shining2:22

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Comments from YouTube:

@roseyc.5846

1y↑26

I ABSOLUTELY ADORED HIM!! I played (the vinyl version) of "A Tramp Shining" back in 1968 over and over, especially "MacArthur Park". You couldn't go anywhere without hearing his wonderful voice. What great memories, as an actor and a singer. RIP, Richard..you were one of a kind. 🙏🏻❤️🌹

@carlrosendorf5210

31w↑2

I have the vinyl album
Stunning..
✌️ peace 2023

@pattiehernandez769

22w

fantastic album, always played it and still do. saw him in Camelot at the pantages theater in Hollywood California. this is my favorite version

@dinahollister6874

21w

Paper Chase is practically the soundtrack of my life. I don’t even know what it means, but it means a great deal to me. Love this album!

@jillkjv3816

1y↑44

Had a crush on this actor when I was a kid. 60 years later he still makes me melt. I guess I had good taste then, and good taste now. 😊

@cards0486

46w↑3

I fell in love with him when I saw CAMELOT. I loved him ever since. When older movies of his were on TV I got to build my ‘films of Richard’ viewing experience.
He used to be on the MIKE DOUGLAS SHOW often. He was a funny, personable Irishman that told the best stories.
I loved his singing and had all his albums.
In the 80s he toured in a production of CAMELOT. I saw him on stage as Arthur twice. A dream come true!

@jillkjv3816

46w↑1

@60sTeen Must have been great! 😊

@kattv6

29w

BeeGees hits

@quentincrisp6933

23w↑1

So did Ann Tukel!

@59marguerite

1y↑13

I was 16 when this on TV. He had such a gorgeous voice.

@kdevinturner8778

31w↑1

A man among men.

@parkeraltman605

23w

I too was 16 when this aired. I had the biggest crush on him then and through out the years. ❤

@kdevinturner8778

23w

@@parkeraltman605 You almost made the poem rhyme. Thanks.

@bennyadler5882

1y↑9

Unmistakable, one of a kind vocals and unique range as he aptly demonstrated on McArthur Park beyond Tops, Brooklyn Bridge or 3 Degrees versions.

@dfinite4089

1y↑20

Always was in love with this guy, no idea why. He was just the most sensitive King Arthur, in Camelot.I can’t define exactly what made him so astonishingly attractive; I think it’s about imperfections somehow? And that voice, that accent…

@jadezee6316

You can't ask others why YOU find someone attractive....you might get agreement but you still need a bit of self-awareness.."i like him because others like him"...is juvenile...cute puppy though

@pattiehernandez769

22w

I also had a crush on him and played this album all the time

@newodkin

39w↑4

I got to see him touring in CAMELOT in the 1980s. He didn't seem entirely sober but was still riveting live on stage!

@pattiehernandez769

22w↑1

my all time favorite song .... no one can come close to Richard Harris .... memories, memories ... time goes backwards everytime I hear him sing this Jim webb song

@stevemiller7949

1y↑11

It's shocking how this transports me back to that time. SO long ago.

@gdwfs

1y↑14

I love this channel. Nostalgia overload.

@kdevinturner8778

32w↑2

Powerful words and super talent. Lovely.

@robertwjtaylor

1y↑13

He was also a great actor, and I didn't know he could sing so well and he also has a great voice and must of had some lessons or vocal coaching

@hardluckharry1482

1y↑3

Watch him in Camelot. He sang quite a bit.

@robertwjtaylor

@@hardluckharry1482 okay yes now I remember, I forgot and I don't usually watch musicals, thanks for the info

@jorgbaiter2767

31w

Most English actors study not only acting but get also training in singing musicals….the same with Hugh Hackman, before he appeared in films he sang in musicals! The same with Richard Burton… etc

@truthtriumphant

28w

Almost all professional singers have had vocal lessons/training.

@tcidolfan

1y↑4

One of my favorite songs from the album 'A Tramp Shining'.

@susanbishop4844

1y↑3

I always loved this guy! And that voice...❤❤❤!

@fayedavin2381

47w↑3

His music in my head all day.

@hardluckharry1482

1y↑7

Loved him in Camelot! I still watch it to this day.

@christinopessoa2145

22w

Esse foi grande nome da música e das artes cênicas. Grande (literalmente) Richard Harris.👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

@catheytresidder1061

25w↑1

Loved him both as singer and actor xxx

@nataliepatton8181

32w↑5

Still listening in 2023 😊

@MariaDoSocorro-jf6gn

23w

Liiiiindo D+ !!! Nostalgia pura 💫

@juanchiappe5190

19w

I walked all over New York trying to find all Richard Harris' albums, mine was a surprise to find A tramp shining autographed by him, more than 30 years have passed and I still have that treasure, when I listen to the interludes to each song, it transports me to my childhood

@ArminArlertJosephJoestar1999

1y↑3

Great vocal song! That guy known for portraying dumbledore from Harry Potter. R.I.P Richard.

@letajones8556

1y↑3

I never knew he could sing! 👏👏👏👏💓

@brendataylor151

I never knew he could act!

@craigstern2902

36w↑1

@@brendataylor151 Well if you weren't under a rock you'd know wouldn't ya..

@MsAppassionata

31w

@@brendataylor151Such a nasty thing to say! What better things have YOU done with your life, hmm?

@MsAppassionata

31w

@@craigstern2902Some people have no taste. Either that, or they like to make negative YouTube comments in order to draw attention to themselves.

@kdevinturner8778

32w↑2

What a good man. Dudes of dudes.

@poobum9857

35w↑1

great recording .. luckily it is on spotify

@kdevinturner8778

33w↑2

I want to party with this guy. No doubt.

@rcperry2000

1y↑6

Still can't get it through my head that this is the same Richard Harris that played Dumbledore!

@TomElvisSmith

1y↑8

From the same episode on which Richard sang "Camelot", posted quite awhile back. "Didn't We" was frequently performed on the Sullivan show, including by Liza Minelli and John Davidson.

@shaunwakefield9793

18w

Listen to Barbra Streisand sing this on the David Frost show.

@RBS_

1y↑7

...a surreal performance; Richard's swaying & blinking to an intelligent, serene tune about the finalization of a breakup, along with the psychedelic-like backdrop, makes him look like he's trippin' BALLS! ...Oh, well, MANY others covered this tune afterwards, so, no biggie, Rich....

@manueric3076

46w

MAIS C’EST GÉNIAL ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

@kdevinturner8778

33w↑1

Smart as a fox. My hero.

@ITcanB

1y↑3

I love Barbra Streisand's version of this song

@edufau815

1y↑5

Of Harris we all have in mind 'A man called horse', since he was an excellent actor, but also a great singer and a better pleasure seeker. The song was included in his first studio album 'A tramp shining', from that same year, 1968. A delight to let yourself be caressed by that velvety voice... Let's enjoy it!

@MsAppassionata

31w↑1

And a great Irish storyteller. He and his buddy Peter O’Toole used to get into all kinds of trouble in their youth. 😃

@edufau815

31w

@@MsAppassionata Quite so! They literally drank life... We could add Oliver Reed and Richard Burton to the band... Thanks for comment!

@kdevinturner8778

20w↑1

Bad ass dude.

@jukeboxmusicoldies3918

1y↑4

😊👏👏👏

@kdevinturner8778

33w

This time we almost made our poem rhyme.

@jezebeljones659

23w

Oh my. This is a wonderful Jimmy Webb song.Harris does it like a drama queen, but face it--he WAS an actor and an Irishman.

@idankoos4156

31w↑1

Sounds like a deeper Johnny Matthis here...GREAT crooning

@karensnowden962

25w↑1

Oh Didnt We! Have a Crush. We SURE DID. Completely flawed But such a talent. I loved Macarthur Park when I was 15. Such Is Life

@johnnytoobad7785

Now I now where Billy Murray's lounge singer act came from. Love to hear him sing the Frank Zappa classic "America Drinks and Goes Home".

@danacoleman4007

1y↑1

He must be hearing different music than I am

@asimplemindedsliceofcheese

41w↑1

Looking at his face, I can see why they chose Jude law to be the younger Dumbledore in fantastic beasts

@jadezee6316

1y↑2

a Sinatra favorite from the pen and mind of Jimmy Webb...here Richard Harris demonstrates he was a fine actor.....

@williamt.swanson4861

Lovely

@danielealfredomarano5465

44w

Young Bumbledoor sings a magic song!

@MsAppassionata

31w↑1

Bumbledoor?

@carlrosendorf5210

31w↑1

Stunning
Peace ✌️ 2023
McArthur Park

@lonestarfriend

1y↑4

Not the best voice, but a distinctive one.

@sexymama1966

1y↑1

I like the song, "Mac Arthur's Park", which has some help provided by The Wrecking Crew.

@skyavalanche

1y↑4

Forever a Tramp Shining

@tifp459

1y↑3

❤

@callumquinn7603

I want some more muppets on Ed Sullivan show For Me Please Thanks From Callum Quinn PS I'm biggest fan of the muppets sesame street fraggle rock bear in the big blue house and so many more love you see ya

@TheGnosticGuru

OOOOOOOPH!!!

@alanlurie2895

1y↑5

Dumbledore Sings!!

@michaelpohas2608

1y↑8

Flipside of "MacArthur Park"

@kdevinturner8778

33w↑1

This time.

@dottieobrien2606

God

@DippyHippie

Nice wig!😂

@PoundTown595

1y↑5

He looks and sings like Bill Murray

@craigstern2902

36w↑1

Not

@kdevinturner8778

33w

Sure. No shirt baby.

@kdevinturner8778

32w

Rhyme

@jimdalton6140

Limerick man like me self

@kdevinturner8778

32w

Almost.

@Dion_Mustard

1y↑2

DUMBLEDORE

@danacoleman4007

🤮

@donaldauguston9740

1y↑2

Constantly flat throughout the entire song. It hurt my teeth.

@armandogabba8966

This is awful

@mollyerickson4897

48w

I agree. I just watched an interview in which he said "MacArthur Park" was the "B" side of this single and a DJ in San Fran played it (MacArther Park) on a whim. Good thing. I can't imagine this song was considered a hit. MacArthur Park is haunting. Still love it this many decades later.

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