Not to take anything from Frank Sinatra or many of the other folks that sang this song, but it's crucial to point out that Dooley Wilson's take on it, which is the version from "Casablanca," is the quintessential version. He delivered the song in a manner that it was meant to be delivered. Simply put, it was meant to be sung that way.
As for it's meaning, I always thought it paralleled the movie's theme, which was one of sacrifice of love for greater causes (like saving the world).
Not to take anything from Frank Sinatra or many of the other folks that sang this song, but it's crucial to point out that Dooley Wilson's take on it, which is the version from "Casablanca," is the quintessential version. He delivered the song in a manner that it was meant to be delivered. Simply put, it was meant to be sung that way.
As for it's meaning, I always thought it paralleled the movie's theme, which was one of sacrifice of love for greater causes (like saving the world).