Throughout the years, and changing line-ups, the group maintained a strong fan-base among jazz fans of all ages.
My Heart Stood Still
The Dave Brubeck Quartet Lyrics
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That's all I meant to do
And then my heart stood still
My feet could step and walk
My lips could move and talk
And yet my heart stood still
I could tell you knew
That unfelt clasp of hands
Told me so well you knew
I never lived at all
Until the thrill of that moment
When my heart stood still
I took one look at you
That's all I meant to do
And then my heart stopped right there
My feet could step and walk
My lips could move and talk
And yet my heart stood still
Though not a single word was spoken
I could tell you knew
That unfelt claps of hands
Told me so well you knew
I never lived at all
Until the thrill of that moment
When my heart stood still
The Dave Brubeck Quartet's "My Heart Stood Still" is a poignant piece about love at first sight. The lyrics relate the moment when the singer sees someone and is instantly smitten, so much so that their heart "stood still." The song creates a palpable atmosphere of anticipation, as the singer tries to understand the depth of their emotions. The lyrics highlight the power of nonverbal communication in love. Although my feet could step and walk, my lips could move and talk, the heart is the one that is the truest indicator of the emotional state of a person.
When the singer sees the person, not a single word is spoken, but they can tell that the other person is aware of the intense feelings that have arisen within them. The hands' unfelt clasp signifies the unspoken connection that the singer and the object of their affection have forged. The moment of the encounter is so thrilling that the singer feels that they are finally alive. The last line of the song emphasizes that it was that exact moment that initiated this newfound life.
In conclusion, "My Heart Stood Still" is a beautiful love song that speaks to the heart's power in communicating emotions. It highlights how only one gaze can change a person's life and outlook. The song captures the magic and mystery of falling head over heels in love, the moment when everything in life suddenly makes sense. The lyrics are simple, yet they evoke the strong emotions and vivid imagery that accompany this intense feeling.
Line by Line Meaning
I took one look at you
I saw you for the first time and was immediately struck by your presence.
That's all I meant to do
I intended to simply glance at you, but something about you held my attention.
And then my heart stood still
I was so taken aback that my heart seemed to stop momentarily.
My feet could step and walk
Physically I was still able to move, but my focus was entirely on you.
My lips could move and talk
I had the ability to speak, but the words escaped me as I was consumed by you.
And yet my heart stood still
Even though I was capable of other actions, my heart remained fixated on you.
Though not a single word was spoken
We had not yet talked, but there was already an unspoken connection between us.
I could tell you knew
I could sense that you were aware of the electricity between us as well.
That unfelt clasp of hands
There was a feeling of holding hands even though we hadn't physically touched yet.
Told me so well you knew
This unspoken connection made it clear that we both felt something special.
I never lived at all
Before meeting you, my life had not yet had a defining moment like this.
Until the thrill of that moment
This moment was incredibly exciting and transformative for me.
When my heart stood still
My heart was so affected by this meeting that it remained at a standstill even as my body continued to move.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LORENZ HART, RICHARD RODGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind