The group took off after being signed to Capitol Records in 1952 at the insistence of high profile fan, Stan Kenton. They remained popular throughout the 50s and early 60s, releasing a wide array of successful albums, movie and television appearances and performing countless sold-out concerts. The band eventually lost mainstream attention with the emergence of the British pop bands of the 1960s, even though they managed to stay together even after the retirement of final original member Bob Flanigan in 1992.
As of 2001, the Freshmen have been composed of Bob Ferreira, Brian Eichenberger, Curtis Calderon, and Vince Johnson. Although the new lineup of the Four Freshmen have continued the legendary vocal tradition of the original band and perform many of the same standards, the current sound has more of a lounge sound rather than focusing primarily upon harmonies. This modernized sound has proven quite successful, as the group won Down Beat magazine's reader's poll award for Vocal Group of the Year in 2000, proving the quartet's prominence in the jazz world today.
Second Time Around
The Four Freshmen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just as wonderful with both feet on the ground
It's that second time you hear your love song sung
Makes you think perhaps that love, like youth, is wasted on the young
Love's more comfortable the second time you fall
Like a friendly home the second time you call
Who can say what brought us to this miracle we've found?
There are those who'll bet love comes but once, and yet
Who can say what brought us to this miracle we've found?
There are those who'll bet love comes but once, and yet
I'm oh, so glad we met the second time around
The Four Freshmen's "Second Time Around" is a wistful meditation on the idea that love gets better the second time around. The song begins by asserting that love is actually "lovelier" the second time around and just as wonderful, if not more so, with "both feet on the ground." This idea of being grounded is continued when the song describes love as being like a "friendly home" that you can return to when you fall. However, the song is not merely about nostalgia or sentimentality; it also suggests that the experience of love can be deepened and enhanced by the passage of time and the wisdom that comes with experience. This is expressed in the line, "Love's more comfortable the second time you fall," which suggests that even though love can be painful, it's also something that can be learned from and that ultimately makes us stronger.
The song's chorus reinforces the idea that love is a miraculous and mysterious force that can bring people together even when the odds seem against them. The line, "Who can say what brought us to this miracle we've found?," suggests that the experience of falling in love is both beautiful and unpredictable. There are those who believe that true love only comes around once, but the song suggests that the singer is glad to have experienced it twice. The final line, "I'm oh, so glad we met the second time around," is a simple and sincere expression of gratitude for the opportunity to experience love for the second time.
Line by Line Meaning
Love is lovelier the second time around
The feeling of love can be even more beautiful and fulfilling when experienced a second time.
Just as wonderful with both feet on the ground
The joy of love can still be amazing, even when experienced with a sense of practicality and realism.
It's that second time you hear your love song sung
Hearing a love song for the second time can evoke even deeper feelings of love and happiness.
Makes you think perhaps that love, like youth, is wasted on the young
Experiencing love for the second time can make you realize that young people may not fully appreciate or understand its true value.
Love's more comfortable the second time you fall
After experiencing heartbreak or disappointment, love can feel more comfortable and safe when given a second chance.
Like a friendly home the second time you call
Visiting someone you love for a second time can feel like returning to a welcoming and familiar place.
Who can say what brought us to this miracle we've found?
The reasons behind finding and experiencing a deep love connection may be mysterious and difficult to explain.
There are those who'll bet love comes but once, and yet
Some people believe that true love only happens once in a lifetime.
I'm oh, so glad we met the second time around
The artist is extremely happy and grateful to have found love a second time with someone special.
Who can say what brought us to this miracle we've found?
The reasons behind finding and experiencing a deep love connection may be mysterious and difficult to explain.
There are those who'll bet love comes but once, and yet
Some people believe that true love only happens once in a lifetime.
I'm oh, so glad we met the second time around
The artist is extremely happy and grateful to have found love a second time with someone special.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: ARTHUR L. PORTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Leila Ward
Dec. 30 2017 ( Vernon, B.C.) One of my all time faves of theirs ! Such a timeless arrangement. To think the FF corporation began when I was 2 !! All the new members over the years, wish i could re-generate like they do ! I met them via LP's at age 8 via my older bro, a big fan. The youngest group came to Kelowna to the Interior Jazz Fest to workshop HighSchool musicians maybe 10 years ago, I got to meet and chat and show off mylast old LP cover . I know every word to every song, off by heart, which means you love somehting enough to memorize it! Pure Freshmen is Their Hearts Were Full of Spring, chocolate-y smooth a capella
Mark Blackburn
FOUR FRESHMEN and a host of guitar giants
I was 12 years old and discovering all the great electric guitars made by Gibson, Gretsch and Guild ('The Three G's that were "The Greatest"). The Four Freshmen had an album with a Gibson ES 355 -- red, double-cutaway, gold pickups, tuners and Bigsby tailpiece -- given pride-of-place sitting in a swivel chair surrounded by other great Gibson electrics. The album, which included this song RAIN, was titled "Four Freshmen with Five Guitars." I bought it and it turned out to be TEN guitarists, taking turns -- a Who's Who of the best guitarists doing studio recordings at that time -- including a couple who worked with Sinatra: George Van Epps (inventor of the seven-string guitar) and Al Viola and two who were in Oscar Peterson Trios -- Barney Kessel and Herb Ellis and top guitarists on the West Coast where this was recorded -- summer of '59. (Don't mind me. Pardon the aside.) The album cover that transfixed a 12 year old me. Nancy Sinatra just played this version on her three-hour weekly show on SiriuslySinatra satellite radio. Thanks, mmmykz inb for posting this -- with the album cover!
Michael Whittington
My wife and I listened to this album just last evening! I have an original mono copy. I saw the Four Freshman at Mondavi winery in the early 70's with my parents. 3 of the original members Ross Barbour, Bob Flanigan, Ken Albers, their addition at the time was named Ray Brown. (Not the well known bassist Ray Brown) I was just a young teenager in those days, but I'll never forget what I saw and heard.
Mark Blackburn
Your recollection is a treasure -- for kindred spirits who are 'of an age.' -- Thanks for posting, Michael Whittington. -- Mark B of the frozen North. (Just posted a note of my own -- aimed at guitarists in particular. Are you one of us?)