They say into your early life romance came
And in this heart of yours burned a flame
A flame that flickered one day and died away
Then, with disillusion deep in your eyes
You learned that fools in love soon grow wise
The years have changed you, somehow
I see you now

Smoking, drinking, never thinking of tomorrow, nonchalant
Diamonds shining, dancing, dining with some man in a restaurant
Is that all you really want?
Oh no, sophisticated lady
I know, you miss the love you lost long ago
And when nobody is nigh you cry

Smoking, drinking, never thinking of tomorrow, nonchalant
Diamonds shining, dancing, dining with some man in a restaurant
Is that all you really want?
Oh no, sophisticated lady
I know, you miss the love you lost long ago
And when nobody is nigh, when nobody is nigh
Nobody is nigh, you cry

Overall Meaning

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga's song Sophisticated Lady is a melancholic ballad that explores the emotional complexities of love and loss. The lyrics speak to someone who has experienced the fleeting nature of romance and the eventual disillusionment that comes with it. The first verse sets up the story of a flame that burned brightly but eventually died away, leaving a sense of disillusionment in its wake. The years have changed the singer, and we see her now, smoking, drinking, and living for the moment without a care for the future. She is a sophisticated lady who seems to have it all but is missing the love she lost long ago.

The chorus repeats the refrain of the first verse, emphasizing the loneliness and heartache hidden beneath the veneer of glamour and sophistication. The line "Is that all you really want?" suggests that there is something more profound and meaningful that the singer yearns for, a feeling that cannot be satisfied by material possessions or fleeting pleasures. The repetition of the chorus drives home the idea that the pain of lost love lingers on even when one is surrounded by luxury and glamour.

Overall, Sophisticated Lady is a poignant meditation on the human heart's complexity, the pain of loss, and the search for meaning and connection in an increasingly fragmented and materialistic world.

Line by Line Meaning

They say into your early life romance came
It is being said that you experienced love at a young age

And in this heart of yours burned a flame
You felt a passionate love that burned within your heart

A flame that flickered one day and died away
This love eventually faded away and disappeared

Then, with disillusion deep in your eyes
You became disappointed and lost faith in love

You learned that fools in love soon grow wise
You realized that being blindly in love only leads to heartbreak and learned to be wiser in love

The years have changed you, somehow
Time has passed and you have changed in some way

I see you now
I am seeing you in your current state

Smoking, drinking, never thinking of tomorrow, nonchalant
You engage in unhealthy habits and do not worry about the future, appearing indifferent

Diamonds shining, dancing, dining with some man in a restaurant
You surround yourself with luxuries and socialize with men, possibly to fill the void of lost love

Is that all you really want?
Is this truly fulfilling and satisfying for you?

Oh no, sophisticated lady
You are not just any ordinary woman, but a refined and cultured one

I know, you miss the love you lost long ago
I understand that you still long for the love that you once had but lost

And when nobody is nigh you cry
When you are alone, you cannot help but cry from the pain and loneliness of lost love

When nobody is nigh, when nobody is nigh
When there is no one around to see your pain and emotional vulnerability

Nobody is nigh, you cry
You cry when you are alone and no one is there to see

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Comments from YouTube:

@nickriggio8807

9y↑5

Tony does not need advice from anyone. he does everything his way!

@stav3359

6y↑4

They say into
Your early life
Romance came
And in this heart
Of yours
Burned a flame
A flame
That flickered
One day
And died away

Then
With disillusion
Deep in your eyes
You learned
That fools in love
Soon grow wise
The years
Have changed you
Somehow
I see you now

Smoking, drinking
Never thinking
Of tomorrow
Nonchalant
Diamonds shining
Dancing, dining
With some man
In a restaurant
Is that all
You really want?

No
Sophisticated lady
I know
You miss the love
You lost long ago
And when nobody
Is nigh you cry

Is that all
You really want?

No
Sophisticated lady
I know
You miss the heart
You lost long ago
And when nobody
Is nigh you cry