One Heartbeat
Smokey Robinson and The Miracles Lyrics


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Ooh, baby

Two hearts, two of a kind
Love at first sight, why do they say love is blind
Slow down, we don't have to move fast
'Cause the love that is real is made to last

Take it one heartbeat at a time
Close your eyes and let your soul unwind
Sooner or later it'll all fall in love
If we take it one heartbeat at a time
One heartbeat

We paint a picture walkin' down the street
Leaves are fallin', baby, so are we
Hand in hand, that's the way it should be
How could somethin' so easy make me feel so complete

Take it one heartbeat at a time
Close your eyes and let your soul unwind
Sooner or later it'll all fall in love
If we take it one heartbeat at a time
One heartbeat

Take it easy, oh
I want o feel your every emotion
Don't talk
And we'll makin' love in slow motion
Oh, slow motion, baby
Oh, slow motion, baby

Take it one heartbeat at a time
Close your eyes and let your soul unwind
Sooner or later it'll all fall in love
If we take it one heartbeat at a time
One heartbeat

One heartbeat at a time
One heartbeat
Sooner or later it'll all fall in love
If we take it one heartbeat

One heartbeat
One heartbeat
Sooner or later it'll all fall in love




If we take it one heartbeat
If we take it at a time

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Smokey Robinson's "One Heartbeat" are about taking things slow in a relationship, letting love unfold naturally over time, and not rushing into anything too quickly. The song suggests that love should be cherished and that it is worth taking the time to truly get to know someone before committing to them. The imagery in the lyrics is of a couple walking down the street, hand in hand, enjoying each other's company and feeling complete in each other's presence.


The chorus repeats the phrase "take it one heartbeat at a time," emphasizing the idea of slowing down and savoring each moment as it comes. Robinson suggests that by doing this, sooner or later, the couple will fall completely in love. The song also includes a sensual element, with lyrics about making love in "slow motion" and feeling each other's emotions.


Overall, "One Heartbeat" is a message of love, patience, and taking things slow. It speaks to the idea that true love is not something that can be rushed or forced, but rather something that grows naturally over time.


Line by Line Meaning

Ooh, baby
Expressing the singer's excitement and joy at being with their lover


Two hearts, two of a kind
The singer and their lover share a unique and special connection


Love at first sight, why do they say love is blind
The singer and their lover fell in love quickly, and they wonder why people say love is unpredictable and irrational


Slow down, we don't have to move fast
The artist wants to take their time with this relationship and not rush into anything


'Cause the love that is real is made to last
True love endures over time and withstands any obstacles or challenges


Take it one heartbeat at a time
The singer advises their lover to take things slowly and enjoy each moment


Close your eyes and let your soul unwind
The singer wants their lover to relax and let their feelings guide them


Sooner or later it'll all fall in love
Eventually, their relationship will grow into a deeper and more meaningful love


If we take it one heartbeat at a time
By taking things slowly and enjoying each moment, their love will grow stronger


We paint a picture walkin' down the street
The artist and their lover are creating a beautiful and romantic moment together


Leaves are fallin', baby, so are we
The season is changing, but their love remains constant and strong


Hand in hand, that's the way it should be
The artist believes in the importance of being together and supporting each other


How could somethin' so easy make me feel so complete
Despite the challenges they will face, the singer feels fulfilled and happy in this relationship


Take it easy, oh
The singer urges their lover to relax and not worry too much about the future


I want o feel your every emotion
The singer wants to experience everything with their lover, both the positive and negative emotions


Don't talk
In this moment, the artist and their lover don't need words to express their love


And we'll makin' love in slow motion
The intimacy between the two lovers is powerful and meaningful


One heartbeat at a time
Again, the singer emphasizes the importance of taking things slowly and cherishing each moment


Sooner or later it'll all fall in love
The singer has faith that their love will continue to grow over time


If we take it one heartbeat
Once again, the artist stresses the importance of taking things one step at a time and being patient with the process


One heartbeat
A reminder to savor each moment and take things one step at a time


Sooner or later it'll all fall in love
The artist believes that their relationship will blossom into a deeper and more meaningful love


If we take it one heartbeat
By being patient and taking things slowly, the couple can build a strong and lasting relationship


If we take it at a time
Once again, the importance of patience and enjoying each moment is emphasized




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

David Gutierrez

"One Heartbeat"

Ooh, baby

Two hearts, two of a kind
Love at first sight, why do they say love is blind
Slow down, we don't have to move fast
'Cause the love that is real is made to last

Take it one heartbeat at a time
Close your eyes and let your soul unwind
Sooner or later it'll all fall in line
If we take it one heartbeat at a time
One heartbeat

We paint a picture walkin' down the street
Leaves are fallin', baby, so are we
Hand in hand, that's the way it should be
How could somethin' so easy make me feel so complete

Take it one heartbeat at a time
Close your eyes and let your soul unwind
Sooner or later it'll all fall in line
If we take it one heartbeat at a time
One heartbeat

Take it easy, oh
I want o feel your every emotion
Don't talk
And we'll makin' love in slow motion
Oh, slow motion, baby
Oh, slow motion, baby

Take it one heartbeat at a time
Close your eyes and let your soul unwind
Sooner or later it'll all fall in line
If we take it one heartbeat at a time
One heartbeat

One heartbeat at a time
One heartbeat
Sooner or later it'll all fall in line
If we take it one heartbeat

One heartbeat
One heartbeat
Sooner or later it'll all fall in line
If we take it one heartbeat
If we take it at a time



All comments from YouTube:

Jason Marcel

Crazy how these sexy mid-tempo ballads are a thing of the past. This still sounds so much prettier than any of the garbage on the radio these days.

Daniel Long

Agreed 100%

Barry Kime

You certainly have that nailed

Lincoln Parc

Well said!!!

Susana Nau

Absolutely 💯

3 More Replies...

LisaLovesLiterature

This song & video is 80s personified: soft/falsetto vocals, retro chair on a beach, background singers in flowy dresses and that all important saxophone solo. Love it!

Marty Whatley

The last of an era of beautiful music that literally melts your heart. God how I miss those days.....

Dexter Sims

Wouldn't be the 80s without a little sax 😊

Natasha Gomes-George

This is a classic and I'm still listening to it in 2022. Words are so special. This is music for the soul.❤️❤️❤️😁

stormi nite

I love how it directly hits your heart. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Stormi

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