Significance of the title of ONCE
Significance of the title of ONCE
TheatreKid3
Broadway Star Joined: 3/25/12
#1Significance of the title of ONCE
Posted: 6/14/12 at 1:24pm
I don't know if I just don't get it or I just don't realize it or if it is one of those things that is obviously staring me in the face and I'm just not connecting it, but what is/where does the significance of the title of ONCE from, or what is that word's significance in the show to warrant it being the title (not saying all titles relate to their material)? I was just thinking about this show the other day and realized I had no idea where the title came from! It was just one of those things I took for granted.
And, yes, it does come from the movie - this question also pertains to the movie as well.
Updated On: 6/14/12 at 01:24 PM
Wynbish
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/27/12
#2Significance of the title of ONCE
Posted: 6/14/12 at 1:33pm
One of the differences between the movie soundtrack and Broadway cast recording (so I assume it is also missing from the show) is the song entitled Once. The repeat of the chorus goes
Once, once
I knew how to look for you
Once, once
But that was before
Once, once
I would have laid down and died for you
Once, once
But not anymore.
The song describes feelings toward the exes. In The Hill, Girl even sings "and you'll be just a man once I used to know", even though I have heard that the stage version has the song being about Guy.
SPOILERish:
I think the significance between the title and the two leads is that this is a once-in-a-lifetime brief encounter that will probably never be repeated. They go their separate ways at the end, so they just had this one time once.
Updated On: 6/14/12 at 01:33 PM
#2Significance of the title of ONCE
Posted: 6/14/12 at 1:35pm
I'm guessing from this song, which I don't think made it into the stage version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0q_T0cmRBY8
Lyrics:
"Once, once
Knew how to talk to you
Once, once
But not anymore
[...]
Once, once
I knew how to look for you
Once, once
But that was before
Once, once
I would have laid down and died for you
Once, once
But not anymore."
ETA whoops Wynbish and I replied at the same time!
but yeah, my impression is that the show and movie are called "Once" because that's a wistful word, like "once upon a time," or "once, I met this amazing girl" or any story that can begin with the word "once," which is both full of possibility and finality.
Updated On: 6/14/12 at 01:35 PM
willep
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/08
#3Significance of the title of ONCE
Posted: 6/14/12 at 1:41pm
There are a few theories about the title. In addition to those mentioned, I have also heard that in the original screenplay they were supposed to kiss once.
BUT on the DVD commentary, they talk about the title and say that it comes from people always having dreams and plans that they intend to do "once I get this sorted out" or "once I take care of this" or "once i do that." And so it refers to all those missed opportunities and chances.
#4Significance of the title of ONCE
Posted: 6/14/12 at 3:11pmI think the movie was originally called Once because the couple had sex, only once, in a scene that was eventually deleted, but the vague enough title has lead to an open interpretation.
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#5Significance of the title of ONCE
Posted: 6/14/12 at 3:13pm
I've seen/heard the same info as Willep mentions. However, PERSONALLY, I prefer the connection to the "once" in a lifetime meeting. It changes everything.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
#6Significance of the title of ONCE
Posted: 6/14/12 at 3:53pm
There was an article on playbill.com that addressed this very question, but darned if I can find it now. 
Wynbish
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/27/12
#7Significance of the title of ONCE
Posted: 6/14/12 at 4:06pm
"A fervent fan of the 2006 modern-day movie musical "Once" will tell you that the title refers to the fairytale-like plot: Once upon a time, an Irish boy (Glen Hansard) met a Czech girl (Markta Irglov).... Less romantic viewers might connect "once" to the ephemeral, lightning-in-a-bottle quality of the pair's connection. The fact that Hansard and Irglov who wrote all the movie's infectious songs, including the Oscar-winning "Falling Slowly" fell in love off screen, and have since parted, only bolsters that theory."
Is it this?
willep
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/08
#9Significance of the title of ONCE
Posted: 6/14/12 at 4:38pm
John Carney puts it better than I did:
"But the film's writer-director, John Carney, tells a different story on the "Once" feature commentary: "A lot of guys that I know...are very creative people, but they don't have the kind of get-up-and-go. So you hear that line a lot with these people: 'Once I get enough money, once I get out of my parents' house, once I get this little business set up, once I get my great script written, I'll be brilliant.' And they're not actually doing it.... It's the guy hiding behind the pint of Guinness who could be great."
But I must admit, I am with dramamama, I like the once in a lifetime idea better.
Updated On: 6/14/12 at 04:38 PM
Videos