Once in a While
Ryan McCartan Lyrics


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Once in a while she don′t want to call you
Speaking on the telephone
And once in your life she won't want to know you
You look around, the one you found she is gone
And that′s all the time that it takes
For a heart to turn to stone
The sweeter the wine the harder to make the break
You hear something about someone you thought you'd known
So baby don't cry like there′s no tomorrow
After the night there′s brand new day
And there'll be no pain and no more sorrow
So wash your face and phone my place, it′ll be okay.
And that's all the time that it takes
For a heart to beat again




So give me a sign that a lover makes
You look around, the one you found is back again.

Overall Meaning

The song “Once in a While” by Ryan McCartan is a ballad about love and loss. The lyrics suggest that sometimes in a relationship, one person may distance themselves from the other. The once-loving communication on the phone is no longer there, and it becomes apparent that the other person doesn't want anything to do with you. It's heartbreaking for the person who's left behind, but the chorus reminds them that time heals all wounds, and tomorrow is always a new day. The song's protagonist encourages their partner not to dwell on the pain and sadness and to call them whenever they need someone to lean on.


The lyrics continue to touch on the idea that the sweeter the love, the harder it is to let it go. When something that was once so intoxicating loses its magic, the person left behind feels like their heart has turned to stone. The bridge of the song echoes that message by saying all it takes is time for a heart to start beating again. It's a message of hope - that even if love is lost, love can also be found once again.


Overall, "Once in a While" is a song about the ups and downs of love, the pain of heartbreak, and the hopeful message that time and love can heal even the deepest wounds.


Line by Line Meaning

Once in a while she don′t want to call you
Sometimes she doesn't want to talk to you over the phone.


And once in your life she won't want to know you
There may come a time in your life when she doesn't want anything to do with you.


You look around, the one you found she is gone
When you finally take a look around, you'll realize that the one you found is no longer with you.


And that′s all the time that it takes For a heart to turn to stone
It only takes a short time for a heart to harden, like a stone.


The sweeter the wine the harder to make the break
It's harder to move on when the relationship was better.


You hear something about someone you thought you'd known
You hear something new about someone you thought you knew well.


So baby don't cry like there′s no tomorrow
Don't cry too much as tomorrow is a whole new day.


After the night there's brand new day And there'll be no pain and no more sorrow
A new day brings a fresh start with no worry or pain.


So wash your face and phone my place, it′ll be okay.
Clean up, call me and things will get better.


And that's all the time that it takes For a heart to beat again
It doesn't take a long time to start loving again.


So give me a sign that a lover makes You look around, the one you found is back again.
Give me a sign that you love me and the one you thought was lost will come back to you.




Writer(s): Bud Green, Michael Edwards

Contributed by Parker S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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