The Righteous Brothers released their version as a single in 1965. Their second release on the Philles label (the first being "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'"), the single was another big hit, making the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100, reaching number nine.
Just Once In My Life
The Righteous Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A lot of things that I'd like to be
But girl, I don't foresee
A rags to riches story for me
There's just one little dream
I've got to make come true
There's just one round I've got to win
I can't be a loser with you
And baby, baby
Just once in my life
Let me get what I want
Girl, don't let me down
Just once in my life
Let me hold on to
The good thing I've found
Don't let me down
Baby, say that you'll be stayin'
That old pot of gold
Ain't so easy to find
But if you'll stand by me
Oh, girl, I'll keep peace of mind
I can't give you the world (no, no, no)
Oh, but I will work hard for you, girl (I'll work so hard, yeah)
Honey, I will work hard (every day)
All my life (you will see)
If you won't leave me (baby, don't leave)
Please don't leave me (baby, don't leave)
Just do this for me, baby
Once in my life
Let me get what I want
Girl, don't let me down
Just once in my life
Let me hold on to
The good thing I've found
Don't let me down
Baby, say that you'll be stayin'
Baby, say that you'll be stayin'
Just once in my life
The lyrics of "Just Once In My Life" by The Righteous Brothers tell the story of a man who wants a lot of things in life, but he doesn't see himself attaining a rags-to-riches story. He has one dream that he wants to come true more than anything else: to hold on to the good thing he's found in his partner. He pleads with her to stay by his side and promises to work hard every day to give her the best life possible. The man acknowledges that finding a pot of gold is not easy, but he believes that if his partner stands by him, he will have peace of mind and will work hard to make sure that she stays with him.
The song expresses a yearning for a person's one true love and the belief that they will be able to keep hold of them despite the hardships they may face. It is a plea for security and stability in a relationship, a desire to not only hold onto the good things but to work hard to make them last. The emotive delivery of the lyrics by The Righteous Brothers perfectly captures the mix of determination, hope, and longing in the song.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a lot of things I want
I have many desires and dreams
A lot of things that I'd like to be
I have many aspirations and goals
But girl, I don't foresee
However, I cannot predict
A rags to riches story for me
That I will become wealthy suddenly
There's just one little dream
But there is one particular aspiration
I've got to make come true
That I am determined to achieve
There's just one round I've got to win
There is one obstacle to overcome
I can't be a loser with you
I refuse to fail because of you
And baby, baby
Addressing my significant other
Just once in my life
Just this one time
Let me get what I want
Grant my desire
Girl, don't let me down
Don't disappoint me
Just once in my life
Just this one time
Let me hold on to
Allow me to keep
The good thing I've found
The positive aspect of my life
Don't let me down
Don't disappoint me
Baby, say that you'll be stayin'
Promise me that you'll stay
That old pot of gold
Becoming rich
Ain't so easy to find
Is not an easy feat to accomplish
But if you'll stand by me
If you support me
Oh, girl, I'll keep peace of mind
I will have peace of mind
I can't give you the world (no, no, no)
I cannot provide the world to you
Oh, but I will work hard for you, girl (I'll work so hard, yeah)
However, I will strive to work for you
Honey, I will work hard (every day)
I promise to work hard every day
All my life (you will see)
My entire life
If you won't leave me (baby, don't leave)
If you never abandon me
Please don't leave me (baby, don't leave)
Don't abandon me
Just do this for me, baby
Just grant this one request for me, please
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Philip Spector
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gary Sirico
There's a lot of things I want
A lot of things that I'd like to be
But girl I don't forsee a rags to riches story for me
It's just one little thing I got to make come true
It's just one round I've got to win
I can't be a loser with you
Baby baby just once in my life
I'm gonna get what I want girl don't let me down
Just once in my life let me hold on to
The good thing I found don't let me down
Baby say that you'd be staying
Cause I couldn't face the day if you weren't here by my side
And if you went away then I'd be left without any pride
I've given up on schemes cause everyone fell through
I've given up so many things don't ask me to give up on you
And baby, baby just once in my life
I'm gonna get what I want girl don't let me down
Just once in my life
Let me hold on to the good thing I found don't let me down
Baby say that you'd be staying
That old pot of gold ain't so easy to find
But if you'll stand by me
Girl I'll keep peace of mind
I can't give you the world
But I'll work hard for you girl
I'll work hard, everyday, all my life
If you'll say you won't leave me
Baby don't leave me
Please don't leave me
Baby don't leave me
Just do this for me baby
Deborah Ferguson
This song gets to me every time I listen to it. And I listen to it a lot. It’s so beautiful. Bill and Bobby were amazing.
Bill
@Barry Kime Best Male duet EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thierry Saint'Pierre
O bill ainda esta vivo
Duane Swetland
You're nuts!
Duane Swetland
Met Bill Medley in 1967 in Santa Anna California. I was 19 years old, stationed at El Toro Marine base. The place was " The Clubhouse", he bought me a beer!
Only 50 cents. BUT, I was an E1 just out of boot-camp. I remember it like yesterday. Your right, we have lost our way with music today, in my opinion. All violence, and shock, unfortunately as I see it mostly ANGER from our young people. Love the yesterday music and feeling.
Abbie Kokee
I am the same way.
I got to see them live
Twice.
This for me was their
Masterpiece
Written by the great
Carole King
And
With the wall of sound
Phil specter.
Angie DiGiacomo
My late husband adored this song!!! It makes me cry. There will never be anyone like these awesome guys- The righteous brothets!!!!!
Jonathan Strong
I'M SO SORRY FOR YOUR HUSBAND MRS DIGIACOMO
James Lucky
I am 74 yrs old. And never get tired of listening. They are simply the best ever
Manuel Gonzales
Right behind you James. I'm seventy and still enjoy their blue eyed soul singing.