Second Time Around
The Four Freshmen · Other Songs - The Four Freshmen
Just as wonderful with both feet on the ground
It's that second time you hear your love song sung
Makes you think perhaps that love, like youth, is wasted on the young
Love's more comfortable the second time you fall
Like a friendly home the second time you call
Who can say what brought us to this miracle we've found?
There are those who'll bet love comes but once, and yet
I'm oh, so glad we met the second time around
Who can say what brought us to this miracle we've found?
There are those who'll bet love comes but once, and yet
I'm oh, so glad we met the second time around
Second Time Around - The Four Freshmen
The Four Freshmen's "Second Time Around" stands as a quintessential example of their signature vocal style, blending smooth barbershop harmony with a sophisticated jazz sensibility. Recorded in the mid-1950s, the track exemplifies the group's mastery of close four-part harmony, characterized by intricate counterpoint and a polished, unison delivery that defined the American barbershop revival. The song's structure, featuring a gentle ballad intro that builds into a driving, rhythmic section, showcases the ensemble's ability to navigate complex musical transitions while maintaining emotional clarity. As a staple of their discography, "Second Time Around" reflects the era's fusion of traditional gospel roots with contemporary R&B and jazz influences, cementing the group's reputation as pioneers of the vocal jazz genre. Their recordings from this period remain influential, demonstrating how a cappella groups could deliver studio-quality arrangements that prioritized melodic integrity and harmonic richness over instrumental accompaniment.