Some songs don’t just belong to a moment — they become that moment. “This Moment in Time,” released in 1979, is one of those rare love songs that has lived far beyond its chart life, echoing in wedding halls and anniversaries for more than four decades.
The Promise Within the Lyrics
When Engelbert begins to sing, it feels as if time stands still. The opening line — “This moment in time, I will be yours and you will be mine” — is not just a lyric, but a vow. It’s a declaration of belonging, of two souls meeting at the same heartbeat in life’s endless flow.
While disco ruled the late 1970s, Engelbert went against the current. Instead of glitter and rhythm, he offered stillness and intimacy. The song is stripped to its emotional core — just piano, strings, and his velvet voice. It’s not about the length of forever, but the beauty of now.
From Studio to Wedding Aisles
“This Moment in Time” wasn’t written for a movie or special project, yet it found its home in one of life’s most sacred rituals — the wedding vow. Across America, the UK, and even the Philippines, it became a classic “first dance” song for countless couples.
Songwriters Ritchie Adams and Alan Bernstein described it as “a letter for someone you love when words are no longer enough.” Engelbert took that letter and turned it into a living moment — one that many couples have carried into their own lives, whispering it softly during anniversaries or playing it at golden celebrations.
Love in Its Purest Form
At 43, Engelbert wasn’t chasing stardom anymore. He was singing from a place of gratitude, maturity, and deep affection. “This Moment in Time” wasn’t just a performance; it was a reflection of life itself — how love endures not in eternity, but in the fleeting seconds that change everything.
That’s why, even decades later, when the melody plays, people pause. Because in that instant, they remember the look in someone’s eyes, the warmth of a hand, or a promise made long ago.
🎵 Suggested listening: “The Last Waltz” — another timeless Engelbert song that carries the same tender soul as “This Moment in Time.”
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