Lawrence had success on the record charts in the late 1950s and early 1960s with such hits as "Go Away Little Girl" (U.S. No. 1), "Pretty Blue Eyes" (U.S. No. 9), "Footsteps" (U.S. No. 7), "Portrait of My Love" (U.S. No. 9), and "Party Doll" (U.S. No. 5). "Go Away Little Girl" sold over one million copies and was awarded a Gold record. Much of Lawrence's musical career centered on nightclubs and the musical stage.
The One I Love Belongs To Somebody Else
Steve Lawrence Lyrics
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She means her tender songs for somebody else
And even when I have my arms around her
I know her thoughts are strong for somebody else
The hands I held belong to somebody else
I'll bet they're not so cold to somebody else
It's tough to be alone on the shelf
It's worse to fall in love by yourself
The one I love belongs to somebody else
The lyrics of Steve Lawrence's song, "The One I Love Belongs to Somebody Else," convey the feeling of heartbreak and longing for a love that cannot be fully possessed. The singer of the song is in love with someone who is already in a committed relationship with someone else. Even when he is holding her, he knows that her thoughts are with another person. The hands he holds belong to someone else, and he can't help but wonder if they feel warmer in someone else's embrace.
The lyrics express a painful reality of unrequited love and the difficulty of being alone with those feelings. Even if the singer had the courage to confess his feelings to the woman he loves, he knows that he cannot have her. The song demonstrates the power of love, even when it cannot be reciprocated.
Line by Line Meaning
The one I love belongs to somebody else
The person I have feelings for is committed to another person.
She means her tender songs for somebody else
The affectionate lyrics she sings are dedicated to someone else.
And even when I have my arms around her
Even when we're holding each other close, she's still thinking of another person.
I know her thoughts are strong for somebody else
I'm aware that her thoughts and feelings are directed towards someone who is not me.
The hands I held belong to somebody else
The hands I've felt holding mine are not exclusive to me, but belong to someone else.
I'll bet they're not so cold to somebody else
I'm sure those hands feel warmer towards another person than they do towards me.
It's tough to be alone on the shelf
Being single and without a partner can be difficult and lonely.
It's worse to fall in love by yourself
It's even more painful to develop romantic feelings for someone who doesn't reciprocate those feelings.
The one I love belongs to somebody else
She is already committed to someone else and unavailable to me.
The one I love belongs to somebody else
I have to accept that the person I love is involved with someone else and move on.
Contributed by Kayla C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.