Where or When
Stanley Turrentine & The Three Sounds Lyrics
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We looked at each other in the same way then
But I can't remember where or when
The clothes you're wearing are the clothes you wore
The smile you are smiling you were smiling then
But I can't remember where or when
Seem to be happening again
And so it seems that we have met before
And laughed before, and loved before
But who knows where or when
In Stanley Turrentine's song Where or When, the lyrics reveal a feeling of déjà vu between two people who have met before, laughed together, and possibly even loved each other before, but have forgotten the memories of their previous meeting. The lyrics suggest that they are experiencing similar feelings and emotions from their first meeting, which are now resurfacing as they meet again. The way they look at each other and the clothes they are wearing seem eerily similar to the way they were during the time of their first meeting.
The song highlights the concept of how time and memories can be forgotten or re-experienced in a cyclical fashion. The nostalgic tone of the lyrics adds to the sense of longing and reminiscence, as the two people try to remember where and when they met before. Their yearning to relive the past makes the song have an emotional impact as it speaks to the many missed connections individuals have in their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
It seems we stood and talked like this before
It feels like we've had this exact conversation before
We looked at each other in the same way then
Our eye contact and body language has not changed since the last time we talked
But I can't remember where or when
I cannot recall the exact time and place when we previously spoke
The clothes you're wearing are the clothes you wore
You seem to be wearing the same outfit as the last time we met
The smile you are smiling you were smiling then
The way you're smiling now is just like the manner in which you smiled during our previous encounter
But I can't remember where or when
I can't seem to recollect the time and place of our last interaction
Some things that happened for the first time
Certain events that occurred during our meeting were new experiences
Seem to be happening again
These experiences are recurring during our present interaction
And so it seems that we have met before
It's as though we have encountered each other previously
And laughed before, and loved before
We may have enjoyed moments of joy and love with one another in the past
But who knows where or when
However, neither of us can recall the exact time or place of our past interaction
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind