Sooner or Later
Roy Orbison Lyrics


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Sooner or later, I knew you'd win.
Sooner or later, you would be close to me again.

Sooner or later, I knew I would break down and call.
Sooner or later I'd hear your voice and fall in love with you again.

Yeah right or wrong my lonely heart just let you in.
Didn't take long being alone to fall again.

Sooner or later, it had to be.
Sooner or later, you would be close to me.

Sooner or later I knew that I'm not over you.
Sooner or later, I knew I'd fall back in love with you.

It's up to you




Let me know what to do.
Sooner or later.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Roy Orbison's song "Sooner or Later" convey a sense of inevitability and longing in a relationship. The singer acknowledges that at some point, he knew the other person would come back into his life, and he couldn't help but eventually reach out to them. The phrase "Sooner or later" is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the anticipation and certainty of their reunion.


The lyrics depict the emotional vulnerability of the singer, as he admits that he couldn't resist the temptation to call and hear the voice of the person he had fallen in love with once again. Despite the potential risks and uncertainties, he acknowledges that his heart allowed the other person in, even though it may not have been the wisest decision. He also confesses that it didn't take long for him to fall back into love after being alone.


The chorus reflects the singer's anticipation of their reunion. He always knew deep down that this moment would come, that they would be close to each other again. And in the end, he realizes that he's not truly over the other person. The song ends with the singer pleading for guidance, expressing that it's up to the other person to let him know what to do next.


Line by Line Meaning

Sooner or later, I knew you'd win.
At some point in time, I was aware that you would emerge victorious.


Sooner or later, you would be close to me again.
In due time, you would find yourself in proximity to me once more.


Sooner or later, I knew I would break down and call.
Sooner or later, I had the understanding that I would succumb to my emotions and reach out to you.


Sooner or later I'd hear your voice and fall in love with you again.
In due course, I would listen to the sound of your voice and experience the revival of love for you.


Yeah right or wrong my lonely heart just let you in.
Regardless of whether it was correct or incorrect, my lonely heart allowed you to enter.


Didn't take long being alone to fall again.
It did not require much time spent in solitude for me to once again experience the feeling of falling in love.


Sooner or later, it had to be.
Eventually, it was certain to happen.


Sooner or later, you would be close to me.
At some point in time, you would find yourself in proximity to me.


Sooner or later I knew that I'm not over you.
In due time, I realized that I have not moved on from you.


Sooner or later, I knew I'd fall back in love with you.
In due course, I was aware that I would once again experience the feeling of falling in love with you.


It's up to you
The decision or choice lies in your hands.


Let me know what to do.
Inform me of the course of action I should take.


Sooner or later.
In due time.




Lyrics © Orbi-Lee Music, Barbara Orbison Music Company, R-Key Darkus
Written by: Joe Melson, Roy Orbison

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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