Van Dyke Parks (born January 3, 1943 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA) is a… Read Full Bio ↴Van Dyke Parks (born January 3, 1943 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA) is an American composer, arranger, producer, instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, author, and actor based in Pasadena, California. Parks is perhaps best known for his collaborations with musician Brian Wilson, and especially for his lyrical contributions to The Beach Boys' legendary Smile album.

Among the hundreds of artists he's worked with include Phil Ochs, Tim Buckley, Haruomi Hosono, The Byrds, Rufus Wainwright, Harry Nilsson, Randy Newman, Ry Cooder, U2, Joanna Newsom, Inara George, Keith Moon, Frank Zappa, Harpers Bizarre, Little Feat, Ringo Starr, Silverchair, and Skrillex.

In addition to producing, Parks has released seven studio albums of his own recordings: Song Cycle, Discover America, Clang of the Yankee Reaper, Jump!, Tokyo Rose, Songs Cycled, and with Brian Wilson, Orange Crate Art. He has also released a live album, Moonlighting: Live at the Ash Grove. His first official release was the 1966 single Number Nine, a modernized version of Beethoven's 9th backed with Do What You Wanta.

Parks has also established himself in film scores, and over the years has directed, arranged, produced, and composed soundtracks for a great number of motion pictures and television shows.

During his childhood, Parks became extremely fond of old-style American music, most notably the sounds of Tin Pan Alley. This interest in Depression-era songwriting would correlate heavily with his artistic goals and interests during the 1960s and beyond. He was also deeply affected by musicians Spike Jones and Les Paul, which led him to develop an interest with studio experimentation in the form of pop music.

Opportunity for Two
Van Dyke Parks Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Kibbee-Parks

Opportunity for two
It had to be me It had to be you
It seemed to be a dream
It happened to be true
A fine futurity for one
A day to make hey A race to be run

Though the blue for you
They say you the one
We might happen to meet
Ain't it sweet when it's a glad song?
Just keep a flappin' your feet to beat the band out of a sad song
God only knows
Which way the wind blows
Could blow us away
So I alway say
My honey don't go
Let's spend today
and dream this away
Like honey to be
It's just you and me
In love for a day
Let's spend today
and dream dis away
Just what could be wrong

To string me along
In love for a day

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Van Dyke Parks's song "Opportunity for Two" speak of a special moment between two people. The song talks about them being together for a day and making the most of it. The opening line, "Opportunity for two," sets the tone for the rest of the lyrics. The song then talks about how it had to be the two of them, and how what seemed like a dream became true.

The song then speaks of a fine futurity for one, which means that they have a bright future ahead of them. They're both excited and ready to embrace it. The lyrics also talk about a race to be run, which could mean a competition or a challenge. The two characters are ready to take it, even if some people say that one of them is ahead. They might meet again, according to the song, but for now, they're just happy to be together.

The song then talks about the unpredictability of life. No one knows which way the wind blows, and it could carry them away from each other. That's why the singer asks his lover not to go and just spend the day dreaming away. There's something wrong, but the lyrics don't specify what it is. They just want to enjoy their time together and be in love for a day.

Line by Line Meaning

Opportunity for two
There is a chance for two people to come together

It had to be me It had to be you
We were meant to find each other

It seemed to be a dream
It felt too good to be true

It happened to be true
It was actually happening, not just a dream

A fine futurity for one
A promising future for one person

A day to make hey A race to be run
An opportunity to seize the day and achieve something

Though the blue for you They say you the one
Despite feeling down, there are people who believe in you

We might happen to meet Ain't it sweet when it's a glad song?
We might just randomly cross paths and it'll be a happy coincidence

Just keep a flappin' your feet to beat the band out of a sad song
Keep dancing and enjoying life to overcome any sadness

God only knows Which way the wind blows Could blow us away So I alway say
We never know what will happen next, so I always remind us to treasure the moment

My honey don't go Let's spend today and dream this away
Let's not waste a moment, and just dream and enjoy each other's company

Like honey to be It's just you and me In love for a day
Being together feels like the sweetest thing, even if it's just for a day

Let's spend today and dream dis away
Let's spend today together, forgetting about everything else

Just what could be wrong To string me along In love for a day
There's nothing wrong with enjoying a beautiful thing, even if it's only temporary

Contributed by Lincoln S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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