The band formed in Benton Harbor, Michigan as the Four Sounds. The original line-up consisted of Gene Harris (September 1, 1933 – January 16, 2000) on piano, Andrew Simpkins (April 29, 1932 – June 2, 1999) on double bass and Bill Dowdy (August 15, 1932 - May 12, 2017) on drums, along with saxophonist Lonnie `The Sound' Walker, who dropped out the following year. The group moved to Washington and then New York, where as the Three Sounds, they cut a record for Riverside Records, before signing an exclusive contract with Blue Note.
Between 1958 and 1962, the group released nine LPs for Blue Note. They toured nationally during this period, building a large following in jazz clubs across the country. Later Three Sounds recordings were also released by Limelight and Verve Records.
The Three Sounds song "Put On Train", from the 1971 Gene Harris album The 3 Sounds was featured as the prominent background sample in the hip-hop group Beastie Boys song "What Comes Around" on their 1989 album Paul's Boutique. It previously stated here that this sample came from the Three Sounds album Live at the It Club, recorded in 1970, however this was not released (on Live at the It Club Vol. 2) until 2000.
Again
The Three Sounds Lyrics
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This is that once in a lifetime
This is the thrill divine
What's more, this never happened before
Though I have prayed for a lifetime
That such as you would suddenly be mine
Mine to hold as I"m holding you now and yet never so near
Mine to have when the now and the here disappear
This doesn't happen again
We'll have this moment forever
But never, never, again
Again, this couldn't happen again
This is that once in a lifetime
This is the thrill divine
What's more, this never happened before
Though I have prayed for a lifetime
That such as you would suddenly be mine
Mine to hold as I"m holding you now and yet never so near
Mine to have when the now and the here disappear
What matters, dear, for when
This doesn't happen again
We'll have this moment forever
The Three Sounds's song "Again" is a beautiful expression of a moment of joy and connection that the singer never wants to let go of. The lyrics suggest that this moment is rare and precious, something that could only happen once in a lifetime. The thrill and wonder of this moment are palpable, and the singer expresses a gratitude that such a beautiful experience is possible. The lyrics also hint at the transience of life, and the importance of cherishing the moments that matter most. When this moment fades, as all moments must, the singer suggests that the memory of it will remain forever.
The song's melody reinforces the theme of transience and the preciousness of the moment. It is a slow, melodic tune that emphasizes the singer's longing and tenderness, with soothing piano solos and gentle rhythms. The lyrics and melody work together to create a powerful and affecting message about the fleeting nature of joy and the importance of cherishing the moment.
Overall, "Again" by The Three Sounds is a poignant and tender love song that speaks to the universal human experience of joy and loss. It reminds us that life is fleeting, and that we should make the most of every moment that we have. It celebrates the power of connection and intimacy and the joy that comes from the knowledge that we are not alone in this world.
Line by Line Meaning
This couldn't happen again
The event that is happening right now is so rare that it is unlikely to occur again in the future
This is that once in a lifetime
This is a unique, remarkable opportunity that only presents itself once in a person's lifetime
This is the thrill divine
The feeling of elation and excitement is indescribably divine
What's more, this never happened before
In addition to being a unique event, it has never taken place before in history
Though I have prayed for a lifetime
The person singing has been waiting and hoping for this moment for their entire life
That such as you would suddenly be mine
The person has been longing for someone like the one they are holding now to belong to them
Mine to hold as I'm holding you now and yet never so near
The person cherishes the moment they are embracing their love interest, even though they've never felt this kind of closeness before
Mine to have when the now and the here disappear
Even if the moment of intimacy and presence disappears, the memory of it will always be held dear by the person
What matters, dear, for when this doesn't happen again
The person recognizes the importance of living in the present moment and making the most of it because it is unlikely to happen again
We'll have this moment forever
The person is grateful for the moment they are sharing with their love interest and hope to keep this memory alive forever
But never, never, again
Although they cherish the moment they are experiencing, the person recognizes that it is a once-in-a-lifetime event that they are unlikely to repeat
Again, this couldn't happen again
The person reiterates how rare and special the moment they are experiencing is
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JEFF LYNNE, TOM PETTY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind