My Heart Stood Still
Wes Montgomery Lyrics


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I took one look at you
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
Though not a single word was spoken
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

Overall Meaning

The song "My Heart Stood Still" is a romantic and introspective song that is sung from the perspective of a person who has been struck by love at first sight. The first verse sets the stage for the rest of the song, which explores the emotions that arise from a sudden and intense attraction. The singer explains that they took one look at the person they are singing about, and in that moment, their heart stood still. This powerful metaphor suggests a complete and total suspension of time and reality, as the singer's senses are overwhelmed by the intensity of their immediate attraction.


The second verse elaborates on this idea by describing how the singer's body continues to function outwardly but is completely consumed by their internal emotions. They are able to walk and talk, but their heart remains still, emphasizing the level of emotional impact that they have experienced. The bridge of the song is particularly poignant, as the singer reflects on the fact that they never truly lived until they experienced this moment of overwhelming emotion. The unfelt clasp of hands between the two lovers is a testament to the power of nonverbal communication and the emotional connection that can exist between two people.


Ultimately, "My Heart Stood Still" is a song about the transformative power of love and the overwhelming desire that can arise from a single moment of connection. It is a beautifully poetic exploration of the emotions that lie at the core of human relationships and the unique experience of falling in love.


Line by Line Meaning

I took one look at you
At the very first glance, I laid my eyes upon you


That's all I meant to do
I didn't intend to exchange any words or hold any conversations, just a look was enough


And then my heart stood still
The sight of you left me in a mesmerized state, where my heart seemed to be stopped dead in its tracks


My feet could step and walk
Physically, I was capable of movement


My lips could move and talk
I could converse and speak without any trouble


And yet my heart stood still
Despite my physical capabilities, I was unable to move on from the awestruck state that you left me in


Though not a single word was spoken
We didn't have to converse verbally to understand each other


I could tell you knew
Your expression and body language conveyed that you understood


That unfelt clasp of hands
Though we didn't actually touch, we were emotionally connected and understood each other


Told me so well you knew
It was clear to me through our unspoken conversation that you understood me as well


I never lived at all
Before this moment, I was just an ordinary, lifeless human


Until the thrill of that moment
It was at that very moment that I felt the excitement of being alive


When my heart stood still
As a result of seeing you, my heart was left in a state of shock that it's yet to recover from




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: LORENZ HART, RICHARD RODGERS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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