Captured By The Moment
Steve Perry Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Where did he go
The man who said, I have a dream
Where have they gone
The four who sang, to let it be
Jackie´s alone
She lost him one November day
L.A. motel
One sad mistake took Sam away

Oh remember then, remember when
Captured by the moment
In the magic of a yesterday
Captured by the moment
And I hope it never fades away
Sweet Janis cried
Lord won´t you buy a Benz for me
Jimmy was right
Castles made of sand slip to the sea

Oh remember then, remember when
Captured by the moment
In the magic of a yesterday
Captured by the moment
And I hope it never fades away
Captured by the moment
Oh in the magic of a yesterday

Otis replied
A little tenderness we got to try
One open door
He tried to set the night on fire

Captured by the moment
In the magic of yesterday
Captured by the moment
And I hope it never fades away




Captured by the moment
Oh in the magic of a yesterday

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Steve Perry's song Captured By The Moment are about reminiscing the past, particularly about the people who have left a mark in history through their contribution to the arts and culture. The first stanza mentions some historically significant figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and The Beatles, as well as the tragic deaths of Sam Cooke and Jackie Kennedy's husband. The second stanza mentions Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix, and how their fame and the things they owned could not ultimately save them from their untimely demise. The third stanza talks about Otis Redding's message of spreading love and Jimmy Hendrix's iconic song "Foxy Lady".


Despite the melancholic tone of the song, the lyrics carry a hopeful message of preserving the memories of these figures and their legacies. The phrase "captured by the moment" highlights the power of these influential people to make a lasting impact and inspire those who come after them. Perry's delivery of the lyrics is emotional and heartfelt, with a touch of nostalgia and admiration for the people he sings about.


Line by Line Meaning

Where did he go
The singer is questioning the absence of a man who previously had a strong vision and hope for the future.


The man who said, I have a dream
The man who previously had a strong vision and hope for the future was a reference to Martin Luther King Jr. and his iconic speech titled 'I Have a Dream.'


Where have they gone
The singer is questioning the whereabouts of four individuals who sang 'let it be.'


The four who sang, to let it be
The four individuals who sang 'let it be' were a reference to the Beatles, who were known for their iconic song with the same title.


Jackie´s alone
Jackie Kennedy is alone and grieving after losing her husband, President John F. Kennedy in November 1963.


She lost him one November day
Jackie Kennedy lost her husband, President John F. Kennedy, on November 22, 1963, to an assassination.


L.A. motel
The L.A. motel mentioned in the next line is where musician Sam Cooke was shot and killed in December 1964.


One sad mistake took Sam away
Sam Cooke was shot and killed in a L.A. motel in December 1964. The 'sad mistake' refers to the fact that Cooke was wrongly perceived as a threat and shot by the motel's manager, Bertha Franklin.


Oh remember then, remember when
The artist is reminiscing about the past and wants the listener to remember it too.


Captured by the moment
The artist is depicting how certain past moments can hold an emotional resonance that is powerful enough to become 'captured' in one's memory.


In the magic of a yesterday
The singer is referring to a specific past moment that held an almost magical quality, one in which they were 'captured' by its emotional power.


And I hope it never fades away
The artist hopes that the emotional resonance of these past moments will remain vivid and powerful within their memory instead of fading away over time.


Sweet Janis cried
The singer is referencing musician Janis Joplin, who is crying for someone.


Lord won´t you buy a Benz for me
The singer is referencing Janis Joplin's song 'Mercedes Benz,' in which she asks the Lord to buy her a luxury car, but realizes that all she really needs is love, acceptance, and kindness.


Jimmy was right
The singer is referencing musician Jimi Hendrix, who has made a correct statement or prediction.


Castles made of sand slip to the sea
These lines are a reference to Jimi Hendrix's song 'Castles Made of Sand,' where he reflects on the transient nature of life and how things can crumble and disappear quickly.


Otis replied
The artist is referencing musician Otis Redding, who provides a response or commentary on a particular topic.


A little tenderness we got to try
These lines are a reference to Otis Redding's song 'Try a Little Tenderness,' in which he urges his listeners to show love and kindness towards one another.


One open door
Perhaps the singer is referring to the concept that there is always one door or opportunity open to those who remain determined and persistent in the face of adversity.


He tried to set the night on fire
These lines are a reference to musician Jimi Hendrix's song 'Fire,' in which he sings about the passion and intensity of love and how it can feel like one is 'setting the night on fire.'




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: BILL CUOMO, RANDY GOODRUM, STEPHEN RAY PERRY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

wolfejimmyy

great sound!

More Versions