Once I Was (song) explained

Once I Was
Type:	Single
Artist:	Tim Buckley
Album:	Goodbye and Hello
Released:	August 1967
Recorded:	Western Recorders & Whitney, Los Angeles
Genre:	Psychedelic folk^[1]
Length:	3:22
Label:	Elektra
Producer:	Jac Holzman

"Once I Was" is a 1967 song by singer-songwriter Tim Buckley, and the sixth track from his album Goodbye and Hello.^[2] The song prominently features harmonica played by folk musician and rock photographer Henry Diltz.^{[3] [4]}

Lyrics

The song reflects the point of view of someone who used to be the lover of an unknown subject, but continues to ponder if the subject ever reflects on the experience similarly.^[5]

Other performances

Tim Buckley's son, Jeff, recorded a cover of this song for a tribute concert to Tim in 1991.^{[6] [7]}

The song has also been covered by Gregg Allman.^{[8] [9]}

Use in other media

The song was used during Bruce Dern's final sequence in the film Coming Home about Vietnam War veterans dealing with the conflict of trauma long after the war has ended.^[10] This song was also prominently used in the 1969 film Changes.^[11]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Tim Buckley: Goodbye and Hello - Review. Matthew . Greenwald. AllMusic. February 6, 2024.
2. Web site: Tim Buckley - Hello and Goodbye . Discogs . 1967 . March 14, 2023.
3. Web site: Chilton . Martin . GOODBYE AND HELLO: GET ACQUAINTED WITH TIM BUCKLEY'S FIRST MASTERPIECE . Dig! . March 22, 2023.
4. Web site: Henry Diltz credits . Allmusic.
5. News: Kessler . Ted . Jeff Buckley: 'Either cursed, or the luckiest man alive' . March 22, 2023 . The Guardian . August 27, 2014.
6. Web site: When Jeff Buckley played his father's music for the first time . Far Out . 26 April 2022 . March 14, 2023.
7. Web site: 30 Years Ago Today – Jeff Buckley Performs His Father, Tim Buckley's Music For First Time (Listen "Once I Was" . Glide Magazine . March 14, 2023.
8. Web site: Once I Was by Gregg Allman . Secondhand Songs . March 22, 2023.
9. Web site: Once I Was - Gregg Allman . Youtube.
10. Web site: Once I Was by Tim Buckley . Allmusic.
11. Web site: Changes (1969) - Soundtrack . IMDB.