Someone to Watch Over Me
Brad Mehldau Lyrics
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Still we're often told "seek and ye shall find"
So I'm going to seek a certain girl I've had in mind
Looking everywhere, haven't found her yet
She's the big affair I cannot forget
Only girl I ever think of will regret
I'd like to add her initial to my monogram
Tell me where's the shepherd for this lost lamb
There's a somebody I'm longing to see
I hope that she turns out to be
Someone who'll watch over me
I'm a little lamb who's lost in a wood
I know I could always be good
To one who'll watch over me
Although she may not the girl some men think of
As handsome to my heart
She carries the key
Won't you tell her please to put on some speed
Follow my lead, oh how I need
Someone to watch over me
Someone to watch over me
Brad Mehldau's rendition of "Someone to Watch Over Me" is a poignant and soaring interpretation of the Gershwin classic. The song begins with the timeless phrase that "love is blind," and then goes on to reflect the more tangible aspects of the search for a partner. The singer seeks out a certain girl that has been on his mind, but has yet to find her. She is the "big affair," the one that he cannot forget, and he is anxious to add her initial to his monogram. He longs for someone to watch over him, his little lamb lost in a wood. The song is a reflection on the experiences of love and the search for a partner, and the anxiety and fear that can come with it.
The arrangement of the song is incredibly powerful, with Mehldau's piano carrying the melody at a deliberate pace, punctuated with bursts of improvisation. The phrasing and modulation of the voice is pivotal, with gradual inflections heightening the sense of search and longing. The climax approaches as the swells of the orchestra build and the voice reaches higher notes. The song culminates in a plea for help and for someone to watch over him. Overall, Mehldau's interpretation is a soulful and emotive retelling of the classic song, lending new depth and meaning to the words that have echoed through the years.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a saying old says that love is blind
Love is unpredictable
Still we're often told "seek and ye shall find"
Even though love is unpredictable, people are encouraged to search for it
So I'm going to seek a certain girl I've had in mind
I have someone specific in mind whom I'm going to look for
Looking everywhere, haven't found her yet
I've looked everywhere but haven't found her yet
She's the big affair I cannot forget
She's the one that got away and I can't stop thinking about her
Only girl I ever think of will regret
If I don't find her, I'll regret it forever
I'd like to add her initial to my monogram
I want to make her a part of my life
Tell me where's the shepherd for this lost lamb
I need help finding my way to her
There's a somebody I'm longing to see
There's someone I really want to be with
I hope that she turns out to be
I hope that she's the one for me
Someone who'll watch over me
Someone who will protect and care for me
I'm a little lamb who's lost in a wood
I feel vulnerable and unsure
I know I could always be good
I'm willing to be a good person for the right person
To one who'll watch over me
I'm looking for someone to protect and care for me
Although she may not the girl some men think of
She may not meet everyone's standards of beauty
As handsome to my heart
But to me, she's beautiful
She carries the key
She's the one who has the power to unlock my heart
Won't you tell her please to put on some speed
Can you ask her to hurry up and come to me?
Follow my lead, oh how I need
I'll show her the way to my heart, I need her so much
Someone to watch over me
Someone who will protect and care for me
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Peermusic Publishing
Written by: IRA GERSHWIN, GEORGE GERSHWIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind