She… Read Full Bio ↴Sylvia Syms (December 2, 1917 - May 10, 1992) was a jazz singer.
She was born Sylvia Blagman in Brooklyn, New York. As a child, she had polio. As a teenager, she went to jazz-oriented nightclubs on New York's 52nd Street, and received informal training from Billie Holiday. In 1941 she made her debut at a club called Billy's Stable.
In 1948, performing at the Cinderella Club in Greenwich Village, she was seen by Mae West, who gave her a part in a show she was doing. It was no particular secret that West surrounded herself with portly women to make herself appear slimmer, and Sylvia's casting was no exception. Among others who observed her in night clubs was Frank Sinatra who considered her the "world's greatest saloon singer." Sinatra subsequently conducted her 1982 album Syms by Sinatra. Syms was keenly aware that her voice was not a great instrument, and that her forte was the interpretation of lyrics.
She was signed to a record company by Decca Records, having her major success with a recording of "I Could Have Danced All Night" in 1956.
She died on stage at the Algonquin Hotel in New York City from a heart attack, aged 74.
For Once In My Life
Sylvia Syms Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Someone I’ve needed so long
For once unafraid I can go where life leads me and somehow I know I’ll be strong
For once I can touch what my heart used to dream of
Long before I knew
Someone warm like you
Who have my dreams come true
For once in my life I won't let sorrow hurt me
Not like it's hurt me before
For once I have someone I know won't desert me
I’m not alone anymore
For once I can say
This is mine you can’t take it
As long as I know I have love I can make it
For once in my life I have someone who needs me
For once I can say
This is mine you can’t take it
As long as I know I have love we can make it
For once in my life I have someone who needs me
The song "For Once In My Life" by Sylvia Syms is a heartfelt declaration of newfound hope and happiness. The singer explains that for the first time in her life, she has someone who truly needs her and whom she has longed for. This person has given her a sense of courage and strength to face life's challenges without fear. The singer also conveys a sense of gratitude for this person, as they have helped her dreams become a reality.
The second verse of the song speaks more directly to the singer's experience with past sorrow and loneliness. For once, she feels protected from harm and abandonment, and she knows that she is not alone anymore. The repeated refrain of "This is mine you can’t take it" speaks to the singer's newfound sense of ownership and control over her life, as well as her realization that love is what truly matters.
Overall, "For Once In My Life" is a touching song that celebrates the power of love and the joys of finding someone who truly needs and supports us.
Line by Line Meaning
For once in my life I have someone who needs me
I have found someone who depends on me and needs my love and support, which makes me feel valuable and cherished.
Someone I’ve needed so long
This person is someone I have been looking for and longing to find for a long time.
For once unafraid I can go where life leads me and somehow I know I’ll be strong
With this person by my side, I feel confident and fearless about facing the unknown future, knowing that I can handle whatever challenges come my way.
For once I can touch what my heart used to dream of
I am now able to experience the things that I have always wished for in my heart but never thought were possible.
Long before I knew someone warm like you who have my dreams come true
Even before I met this special person, I had been dreaming of finding someone like them who could fulfill my deepest desires and make my dreams a reality.
For once in my life I won't let sorrow hurt me
Having this person in my life helps me move past the pain and sadness I have experienced in the past, and I am now able to reject the negative emotions that have held me back.
Not like it's hurt me before
This time around, I have the strength and support needed to avoid experiencing the same pain and heartache that I have been through in the past.
For once I have someone I know won't desert me
I can trust this person to always be there for me, no matter what happens, and I know that they will never abandon or betray me.
I’m not alone anymore
With this person by my side, I no longer feel lonely and isolated, but rather I have found companionship and support that fills my life.
This is mine you can’t take it
I feel a strong sense of ownership and control over my life and my relationship, and I am confident that I will not allow anyone to take away what is important to me.
As long as I know I have love I can make it
With my partner’s love and support, I have the ability to overcome any challenges and difficulties that arise in life.
For once in my life I have someone who needs me... As long as I know I have love we can make it
Overall, this song expresses the joy and liberation that one can experience when finding and connecting with a supportive and loving partner, who can help them achieve their dreams and overcome past hardships.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ronald N. Miller, Orlando Murden
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Michael Garcia
Best version ever