In 1921, an unheralded teenager named Adelaide Hall appeared as just another hoofer in the chorus line for the musical Shuffle Along. A scant seven years later, her role in the Broadway revue Blackbirds of 1928 (the most famous of the series of Blackbirds revues mounted during the 1920s and 30s) brought her international fame. Hall's stage performance in that production—in which the newcomer performed alongside a legend, tap dancer Bill "Bojangles"Robinson—attracted international media attention. It also launched the song "I Can't Give You Anything But Love"—just one of the many beloved tunes that members of the public would come to associate with Adelaide Hall.
The singer also earned renown for her innovative phrasings. Her wordless singing on Duke Ellington's recording of "Creole Love Call" prefigured the scat singing later made famous by Ella Fitzgerald. (In scat singing—sometimes called mouth music—the voice is used to mimic various jazz instruments, notably the trumpet, trombone, and saxophone.) Hall went on to perform regularly with jazz greats such as Art Tatum and Fats Waller.
Hall performed at venues throughout the United States and Europe before settling in Britain. She established her own nightclubs in London and Paris, and continued to perform in European nightspots for more than 50 years.
That Old Feeling
Adelaide Hall Lyrics
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Last night my heart was so gay
Last night I found myself dancing
In my favorite cabaret
You were completely forgotten
Just an affair of the past
Then suddenly something happened to me
And I found my heart beating, oh, so fast
I saw you last night and got that old feeling
When you came in sight I got that old feeling
The moment that you danced by I felt a thrill
And when you caught my eye my heart stood still
Once again I seemed to feel that old yearning
And I knew the spark of love was still burning
There'll be no new romance for me, it's foolish to start
For that old feeling, is still in my heart
I saw you last night and got that old feeling
When you came in sight I got that old feeling
The moment that you danced by I felt a thrill
And when you caught my eye my heart stood still
Once again I seemed to feel that old yearning
And I knew the spark of love was still burning
There'll be no new romance for me, it's foolish to start
For that old feeling, is still in my heart
Adelaide Hall's "That Old Feeling" is a song about a sudden realization of love that resurfaces unexpectedly. The singer starts off by expressing her contentment and joy, singing about a carefree night of dancing at her favorite cabaret. The singer then shifts to reveal that she had nearly forgotten about an old love until she saw him again that night. Upon seeing him, all the old feelings resurface, her heart beating rapidly, and her mind swimming with emotions. She reflects on the overwhelming intensity of her previous romance, acknowledging that it is unlikely that she will ever experience that kind of feeling again. Nevertheless, the old flame is still burning in her heart and so she is resigned to the fact that there will be no new love for her; it is better for her to hold on to the potent emotions of her past rather than try to find something new that may not measure up.
The song is a poignant depiction of the way that love can linger on, even after a relationship has ended. The singer is experiencing a sense of nostalgia and longing that is powerful enough to overcome all of the happy memories she had just made that night. It is a reminder of the way that our emotions are sometimes governed by things we cannot control - a sudden sight or sound may take us back to a memory and evoke the same raw emotions we had during that experience. In this sense, "That Old Feeling" is a timeless classic that still resonates with listeners today, as it did when it was first released.
Line by Line Meaning
Last night I started out happy
I began the night feeling joyous and content
Last night my heart was so gay
My heart was full of happiness and merriment
Last night I found myself dancing
I was enjoying my time so much that I began to dance
In my favorite cabaret
I was at my go-to entertainment spot
You were completely forgotten
I had let go of any past feelings for you
Just an affair of the past
You were simply a chapter in my history
Then suddenly something happened to me
Unexpectedly, I started to feel differently
And I found my heart beating, oh, so fast
My heart rate quickened with newfound feelings
I saw you last night and got that old feeling
Upon seeing you, I experienced a familiar sensation
When you came in sight I got that old feeling
As soon as you appeared, my emotions resurfaced
The moment that you danced by I felt a thrill
Watching you dance gave me a rush of excitement
And when you caught my eye my heart stood still
Looking into your eyes made my heart stop momentarily
Once again I seemed to feel that old yearning
I was struck by a familiar longing for you
And I knew the spark of love was still burning
I realized that my feelings for you never truly faded
There'll be no new romance for me, it's foolish to start
I acknowledge that pursuing a new relationship would be unwise
For that old feeling, is still in my heart
My heart still harbors feelings of love for you
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PD TRADITIONAL, SANFORD SCHMIDT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind