Cecilia
Smokey Robinson and The Miracles Lyrics


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(Cecilia, Cecilia)
Oh yeah

('Cilia, you're breaking my heart) Oh yeah
(You're shaking my confidence daily)
You got me all shook up
(Oh, Cecilia,  I'm down on my knees) Ooh
(I'm begging you please to come home)
Oh, Cecilia, you're breaking my heart
You're shaking my confidence daily
Oh, Cecilia, I'm down on my knees
I'm begging you please to come home
Come on home

Making love in the afternoon to Cecilia
Up in my bedroom
(I got up) I got up to wash my face
When I come back to bed
Someone's taken my place

Oh, Cecilia (You're breaking my heart)
Oh, you're breaking my heart
(You're shaking my confidence daily)
Oh, Cecilia (I'm down on my knees)
Down on my knees
(I'm begging you please to come home)
Oh, come on home now, oh yeah

Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba
Oh yeah, yeah, yeah ooh ooh
Ooh-wee oh yeah

Ooh, jubilation, she loves me again
I fall on the floor and die laughing
Jubilation, she loves me again
I fall on the floor and die laughing

Oh, oh, oh, oh oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
(Jubilation, she loves me again)
Oh, oh, oh, oh oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
(I fall on the floor and die laughing)
Jubilation, she loves me again
I fall on the floor and die laughing, yeah
Jubilation, she loves me again




I fall on the floor and die laughing
Ooh yeah

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Smokey Robinson and The Miracles' song "Cecilia" tell a poignant tale of heartbreak, longing, and ultimately jubilation. The song begins with the singer, presumably named Cecilia, expressing his distress over the impact she has on him. He conveys his vulnerability and desperation, pleading for her to come back home and mend the fractures in their relationship. The repetition of Cecilia's name underscores the intensity of his emotions and the central role she plays in his life. The lyrics capture the inner turmoil and emotional upheaval caused by longing for a lost love.


As the song progresses, the singer reminisces about moments of intimacy with Cecilia, highlighting the bittersweet memories of their time together. However, his reverie is abruptly shattered when he discovers that someone else has taken his place, emphasizing his feelings of betrayal and abandonment. This betrayal deepens the singer's heartache and reinforces his plea for Cecilia to return to him. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a love that has soured, leaving the singer broken and yearning for reconciliation.


Amidst the melancholy and despair, a sudden shift occurs in the lyrics as jubilation and hope emerge. The singer is overwhelmed with joy and disbelief as Cecilia declares her love for him once again. The jubilant tone is reflected in the exuberant repetition of "Oh, oh, oh" and the imagery of falling on the floor and laughing in sheer delight. This unexpected twist in the narrative brings a sense of redemption and renewal, transforming the singer's pain into elation and gratitude. The lyrics convey a sense of catharsis and a newfound appreciation for the power of love to heal and revive.


In conclusion, "Cecilia" by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles is a compelling depiction of the complexities of love, loss, and reconciliation. The song captures the rollercoaster of emotions experienced in a tumultuous relationship, from heartbreak and despair to joy and renewal. Through evocative imagery and heartfelt expressions, the lyrics convey the universal themes of longing, forgiveness, and the transformative nature of love. Ultimately, "Cecilia" serves as a lyrical journey through the depths of human emotions, culminating in a message of hope, redemption, and the enduring power of love to conquer adversity.


Line by Line Meaning

(Cecilia, Cecilia)
Calling out to Cecilia with longing and desire


(You're breaking my heart) Oh yeah
Expressing pain and heartbreak caused by Cecilia's actions


(You're shaking my confidence daily)
Describing how Cecilia's actions are causing self-doubt and insecurity


You got me all shook up
Feeling nervous and unsettled due to Cecilia's behavior


(Oh, Cecilia, I'm down on my knees) Ooh
Begging Cecilia for mercy or forgiveness


(I'm begging you please to come home)
Pleading for Cecilia to return and reconcile


Making love in the afternoon to Cecilia
Recalling a romantic encounter with Cecilia


Up in my bedroom
Describing the intimate setting of the encounter


(I got up) I got up to wash my face
Taking a brief break from the moment to freshen up


When I come back to bed
Returning to find someone else in the place meant for Cecilia


Someone's taken my place
Realizing that another person has replaced Cecilia in the singer's affections


Ooh, jubilation, she loves me again
Feeling ecstatic and joyful as Cecilia's love is renewed


I fall on the floor and die laughing
Experiencing overwhelming happiness and disbelief




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Paul Simon

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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