Forbert signed a recording contract with Nemperor in 1978, and they released his debut album, Alive on Arrival, that same year. His song "Romeo's Tune", although "dedicated to the memory of Florence Ballard" on the sleeve of Forbert's second album Jackrabbit Slim (released in 1979), is not about Supremes singer Ballard who died in 1976. "Forbert admits that Ballard became a timely connection for "Romeo's Tune", written about a girl from Meridian. "That seemed like such bad news to me and such sad news. She wasn't really taken care of by the music business, which is not a new story". At around this time critics hailed Forbert as "The new Bob Dylan" because of a similar vocal timbre and thoughtful songwriting. The front cover of Jackrabbit Slim encourages such comparisons with its simplicity: a black and white photo of Steve Forbert playing a well-worn Martin acoustic guitar with a capo on it, his shirt tinted green. The record was recorded in Nashville and produced by John Simon who had worked with The Band.
After many successful years, Forbert sought out new inspiration and found it when he relocated to Nashville in 1985. Forbert's tribute to Jimmie Rodgers, Any Old Time, was nominated for a 2004 Grammy in the best traditional folk category. In 2006, he was inducted into the Mississippi Music Hall of Fame.
Recent albums include Strange Names & New Sensations (2007), The Place And The Time (2009), and Over With You (2012).
www.steveforbert.com
One Short Year Gone By
Steve Forbert Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And someone seen me zippin' past
And reachin' out, they took my hand
And made a move to slow me
Speakin' words, an angel's voice
And I replied, "I got no choice
And you, you're from some other world
And, babe, you just don't know me."
And it's one short year gone by
Sad - I've made her cry, sweet baby
I never meant to play that part
I never meant to even start
I was thinkin' 'bout some plans I'd made
And there she was beside me
She looked up, and then we kissed
And somethin' there said "don't resist"
And that was late that summer night
I don't know why she tried me
And it's one short year gone by
Sad - I've made her cry, sweet baby
[Bridge:]
Darlin', your sweet touch
Well, I've never shared so much
Little baby, this life's on fire
It's burnin' and screaming higher
Got to get some time alone
I'm just outside the danger zone
There's people all around me now
And I don't know what I'm thinkin'
I went down a ways from here
And kids were dancin', drinkin' beer
I was so much older there
My spirit started sinkin'
And it's one short year gone by
Sad - I've made her cry, sweet baby
Tryin' to keep my life insane
And keep my mind inside the rain
And see the false securities
And understand the highway
Made a lotta stupid moves
I've always got some point to prove
I ain't exactly all that nice
I've got to do it my way
And it's one short year gone by
Sad - I've made her cry, sweet baby
[Bridge:]
The lyrics of "One Short Year Gone By," by Steve Forbert, narrate the story of a man moving through his life at a fast pace until he meets a woman who slows him down. The first stanza describes his encounter with an angelic figure who tries to prevent him from moving so quickly. However, the man is reluctant to take the advice and continues on his way. The chorus then shifts to a reflection on the past year in which the man examines his relationship with the woman he met. She is described as a "sweet baby," but he has also caused her sorrow.
The second verse recalls the moment when he meets the woman and the connection they share. Despite his initial intentions to focus on his own plans, he cannot resist her presence. The feeling of being with her is described as sharing everything with her, suggesting a deep connection. However, the bridge shifts back to the man's internal turmoil as he tries to navigate his life. He feels conflicted between the chaos and false securities that surround him.
Line by Line Meaning
Sailin' down my life so fast
I'm living my life quickly and without much thought
And someone seen me zippin' past
Someone noticed how fast I was living my life
And reachin' out, they took my hand
Someone tried to slow me down and help me
And made a move to slow me
They wanted to help me take things slower
Speakin' words, an angel's voice
The person trying to help me sounded kind and wise
And I replied, "I got no choice
I told them I didn't have a choice in how I was living my life
And you, you're from some other world
I thought the person trying to help me was different from me
And, babe, you just don't know me."
I believed the helper didn't understand me
And it's one short year gone by
A year has passed since this encounter
Sad - I've made her cry, sweet baby
I feel regret that I made someone I cared about sad
I never meant to play that part
I didn't mean to hurt someone I cared about
I never meant to even start
I didn't plan to hurt anyone from the beginning
I was thinkin' 'bout some plans I'd made
I was focused on my own plans
And there she was beside me
The person I hurt was with me
She looked up, and then we kissed
We shared a moment of intimacy
And somethin' there said "don't resist"
I felt like I shouldn't resist the moment
And that was late that summer night
This moment happened on a specific summer night
I don't know why she tried me
I'm not sure what made the other person interested in me
Darlin', your sweet touch
I appreciate the other person's sweet touch
Well, I've never shared so much
I've never been so vulnerable with someone else
Little baby, this life's on fire
I feel like my life is chaotic and uncontrolled
It's burnin' and screaming higher
Everything feels like it's getting worse
Got to get some time alone
I need some time to myself
I'm just outside the danger zone
I'm close to danger, but not quite there
There's people all around me now
There are lots of people in my life
And I don't know what I'm thinkin'
I'm not sure what I'm feeling or thinking
I went down a ways from here
I went to a different place to clear my head
And kids were dancin', drinkin' beer
I saw some young people partying and having fun
I was so much older there
I felt much more mature than the young people around me
My spirit started sinkin'
I felt unhappy and lost
Tryin' to keep my life insane
I'm subconsciously trying to keep my life chaotic
And keep my mind inside the rain
I'm staying stuck in negative thoughts and feelings
And see the false securities
I'm recognizing that things I believed were secure were actually temporary
And understand the highway
I'm coming to terms with the chaotic nature of my life
Made a lotta stupid moves
I've made a lot of mistakes
I've always got some point to prove
I'm always trying to prove something to others
I ain't exactly all that nice
I'm not always a pleasant person to be around
I've got to do it my way
I feel like I need to live my life on my own terms
Lyrics © DEMI MUSIC CORP. D/B/A LICHELLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: STEVE FORBERT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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