In 1939, Newman began a twenty-one year career as music director for 20th Century-Fox Studios. He composed the familiar fanfare which accompanies the studio logo at the beginning of Fox's productions. At Fox, he also developed what came to be known as the Newman System, a means of synchronising the performance and recording of a musical score with the film. The system is still in use today.
He was the head of a family of major Hollywood film composers including his son, Thomas Newman, who is currently active. Other notable Newman family members include his brothers, Lionel Newman and Emil Newman, and his nephew, the singer/songwriter Randy Newman.
He received 45 Academy Award nominations (a record in the music categories, now shared with John Williams), winning 9 times.
Careless Love
Alfred Newman Lyrics
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You've fly through my head like wine
You've wrecked the life of a many poor girl
And you nearly spoiled this life of mine
Love, oh love, oh careless love
In your clutches of desire
You've made me break a many true vow
Love, oh love, oh careless love
All my happiness bereft
You've filled my heart with weary old blues
Now I'm walkin', talkin' to myself
Love, oh love, oh careless love
Trusted you now, it's too late
You've made me throw my old friend down
That's why I sing this song of hate
Love, oh love, oh careless love
Night and day, I weep and moan
You brought the wrong man into this life of mine
For my sins, till judgment I'll atone
The lyrics to Alfred Newman's "Careless Love" are an expression of the emotional turmoil and pain caused by love that is careless and reckless. The song speaks of the destructive nature of love, which can cause one to break vows, wreck lives, and fill one's heart with weary blues. The persona in the song has fallen victim to the charms of love, and in doing so, they have lost their happiness and the trust of those close to them. The singers are filled with regret, as they sing of the wrong that love has brought into their lives, blaming it for bringing the wrong person into their life and ultimately causing them to suffer.
The lyrics also suggest that love is an uncontrollable force that can lead a person to act against their better judgment. The persona in the song realizes that they trusted love, and it is now too late to undo the harm caused by it. We can interpret this song as a warning against the consequences of giving into the seductive nature of love. The songwriters caution us to be aware of the destructive nature of love when we are swayed by its charms and to tread with caution so that we are not consumed by it.
Line by Line Meaning
Love, oh love, oh careless love
The singer is addressing love, acknowledging it for what it has done to them.
You've fly through my head like wine
Love has taken over the singer's mind, like wine clouds one's judgment.
You've wrecked the life of a many poor girl
Love has ruined the lives of many people, including women.
And you nearly spoiled this life of mine
The singer has almost fallen victim to love's destructive power.
In your clutches of desire
Love has a strong hold on the singer, driven by desire.
You've made me break a many true vow
Love has caused the singer to break many promises and commitments.
Then you set my very soul on fire
Love has filled the singer with such passion that it is consuming them.
All my happiness bereft
Love has taken away all the singer's happiness and left them empty.
You've filled my heart with weary old blues
Love has made the singer feel sad and hopeless.
Now I'm walkin', talkin' to myself
The singer is so consumed with love that they are talking to themselves.
Trusted you now, it's too late
The singer thought they could trust love, but now they realize it's too late.
You've made me throw my old friend down
Love has caused the singer to abandon their friends and loved ones.
That's why I sing this song of hate
The singer is so bitter about love's destructive power that they are expressing it through song.
Night and day, I weep and moan
The singer is in such despair over love that they are constantly crying and complaining.
You brought the wrong man into this life of mine
Love has brought the wrong person into the singer's life.
For my sins, till judgment I'll atone
The singer knows that they will have to pay for their mistakes related to love.
Lyrics © HANDY BROTHERS MUSIC CO.,INC.
Written by: TRADITIONAL
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