This song, in Feliciano's version, captures alone the essence of the film.
Feliciano played this song by tearing the beat away, exposing the anguish it really expresses.
The protagonist of the song would like to escape from his world for a better place, but while he sings he (or she) himself knows that this will never happen: his dreams will remain unfulfilled.
And just like the protagonist of the song, the dreams of all the characters in the film, in reality, will also be shattered.
The title "once upon a time ..." says it all: this is represented as a beautiful story of friendship and redemption, but it is a fairy tale, the desire for something better that will never happen. A dream.
Sharon Tate, her baby, her dreams and her friends won't get through the night.
Their killers will end up killed or locked up for the rest of their life in prison.
Rick, or whoever he represents, will never meet Polanski and his career will end in oblivion, and Cliff will follow him. Maybe only friendship can survive this. Maybe.
I just saw Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. In the scene that comes out this amazing song, I have begun to cry for the magic of the moment. And here I am, listening it again and again. Master Feliciano thanks for this great cover. And you Tarantino for making it happen.
So so sorry, John, Michelle, Denny and Cass, but Feliciano owns this. I lived in West Hollywood for two years, and this version is the air, the smells, the sounds, the essence. Killer.
Embarrassed to not have known this version before I watched once up on a time in Hollywood.. not stopped listening to it since. Fell in love there and then.
I weep when I experience love-beauty. Jose Feliciano’s music is full of love-beauty. I am grateful for his heart, voice, passion, and guitar artistry. Love, peace and blessings to Jose.