Once It's Gotcha
Santana Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

One taste
That ain't so much
You think you'll be safe from her touch

She calls
You can't hide
Your back's to the wall, the wall's on fire
Oh, when her music starts to play
Oh, you could dance your life away.

Once it's gotcha, never set you back down
Once it's gotcha, you'll lose your head in the clouds

Sweet dreams
Of her kiss
No heaven could be quite like this

Your love
Runs so strong
You can't get enough, right or wrong





Oh, when her music starts to play
Oh, you could dance your life away

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Santana's "Once It's Gotcha" are a warning about the danger of falling for someone so deeply that they consume you entirely. The song's sensual opening warns that indulging in just one taste of this person will not be enough and you will soon find yourself under their spell, unable to escape their touch. She calls to you, and even though you may try to hide, there is nowhere to run. You feel trapped, like your back is against the wall as the flames of passion surround you.


The second verse speaks of the intoxication of this person's touch and the unquenchable desire it inspires. The idea of losing yourself completely to this experience is too tempting to resist, but at what cost? When the music starts to play, all rational thought goes out the window as you are swept away by the allure of this person.


The chorus warns that once this person has you under their spell, there is no turning back. You will lose yourself entirely, your head lost in the clouds of this intense emotion. The final verse speaks of the addictiveness of this experience, with the taste of her kiss becoming a sweet dream that you can never shake.


Overall, the lyrics of "Once It's Gotcha" explore the dangerous territory of giving in to temptation and the loss of control that comes with it. The song serves as a warning to those that would willingly indulge in such an experience.


Line by Line Meaning

One taste
Even just a small sample can be enough to get you hooked


That ain't so much
Despite being a small amount, it can still have a strong effect


You think you'll be safe from her touch
You may think you can resist temptation, but it's harder than it seems


She calls
The object of your desire beckons you


You can't hide
You cannot escape from your desires


Your back's to the wall, the wall's on fire
You feel trapped and consumed by your desire


Oh, when her music starts to play
The object of your desire has a power over you that is amplified when in her presence or when her music is playing


Oh, you could dance your life away.
You are so consumed by your desire that you are willing to lose time, even your life, pursuing it


Once it's gotcha, never set you back down
Once you've given in to your desires, it's hard to turn back and stop pursuing them


Once it's gotcha, you'll lose your head in the clouds
Giving in to your desires can be so intoxicating that you become disconnected from reality


Sweet dreams
Your fantasies or desires may manifest in your dreams


Of her kiss
The object of your desire's physical or emotional affection is what you crave


No heaven could be quite like this
The fulfillment of your desires feels beyond what you thought was possible


Your love
Your affection, desire, and infatuation for the object of your pursuit


Runs so strong
The level of passion and intensity of emotions you have towards the object of your desire is overwhelming


You can't get enough, right or wrong
No matter the consequences, you are driven to consume that which you desire




Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Alphonso Johnson, Carlos Santana, Chester Thompson, Jeffrey Cohen, Tom Coster

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions