Once I Was (song)

"Once I Was"
Single by Tim Buckley
from the album Goodbye and Hello
Released	August 1967
Recorded	Western Recorders & Whitney, Los Angeles
Genre	Psychedelic folk[1]
Length	3:22
Label	Elektra
Songwriter(s)	Tim Buckley
Producer(s)	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]

References

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