Don't Be That Way
Armstrong/Ella Fitzgerald/Louis Armstrong Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

April skies are in your eyes
But darling, don't be blue
Don't cry, oh honey, please
Don't be that way

Clouds in the sky
Should never make you feel that way
The rain will bring the violets of May
Tears are in vain, so honey, please
Don't be that way

As long as we see it through
You'll have me, I'll have you
Sweetheart, tomorrow is another day
Don't break my heart, oh honey, please
Don't be that way

Don't cry, oh honey, please
Don't be that way
Clouds in the sky
Should never make you feel that way
The rain will bring the violets of May
Tears in vain, so honey, please
Don't be that way

As long as we will see it through
You'll have me and I'll have you
Sweetheart, tomorrow is another day
Don't break my heart, oh honey, please
Don't be that way

Don't cry
(Don't cry, don't cry)
Oh honey, please
Don't be that way
(Oh honey, please)
(Don't be that way)

Clouds in the sky
(Dig those crazy sky)
Should never make you feel that way
(So don't be that way)

Dig the rain
(Pitter, pitter, pitter, pitter patter)
Bring the violets of May
(Pitter patter of the rain drops)

Tears in vain
(Tears, tears)
So honey, please
Don't be that way
(Don't be that way)

As long as we will see it through
Oh baby, you'll have me and I'll have you
Sweetheart, tomorrow is another day
(Tomorrow is another day)

Don't break my heart
Oh honey, please
Don't be that way
Look here, baby don't cry
Oh honey, please
Don't be that way
Clouds in the sky
Should never make you feel that way

Yeah, don't cry
Honey, please don't be that way
Clouds in the sky
Oh honey, please




Don't be that way
(No, I'll never be that way)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Don't Be That Way convey a message of comfort, encouragement, and support to someone going through a tough time. The song is primarily speaking to a lover, advising them not to give up during their challenging period. The singer acknowledges the presence of a vast burden weighing the beloved one down with “April skies (which) are in your eyes,” meaning there is a vast burden weighing them down. Nonetheless, he/she encourages him/her not to fret or cry because it won't change anything. He/she also seeks to reassure the lover that the clouds will pass, and the rain will bring new opportunities.


The second part of the song reminds the lover that he/she is not alone and that they will get through the bad times together. The "you'll have me, I'll have you" line is a reminder that the two are a team and that they can reach the finish line if they stick together. Additionally, he/she highlights the importance of not giving up hope and looking forward to another day when things will be different. In essence, the song's message is simple: don't lose hope and don't give up because there is always a chance for better days to come.


Line by Line Meaning

April skies are in your eyes
You look sad or upset


But darling, don't be blue
Don't be sad


Don't cry, oh honey, please
Don't let your emotions overwhelm you


Don't be that way
Don't act in a way that makes you unhappy


Clouds in the sky
A metaphor for life's hardships


Should never make you feel that way
Should not bring you down


The rain will bring the violets of May
There will be better times ahead


Tears are in vain, so honey, please
Crying won't solve anything


As long as we see it through
We can overcome anything together


You'll have me, I'll have you
We have each other's support


Sweetheart, tomorrow is another day
Today may be tough, but there's always another chance tomorrow


Don't break my heart, oh honey, please
Please don't hurt me by acting in a way that makes you unhappy


Don't cry
Don't let your emotions overwhelm you


Dig those crazy sky
Appreciate the beauty that life has to offer


So don't be that way
Don't act in a way that makes you unhappy


Dig the rain
Appreciate both the good and bad times in life


Bring the violets of May
There will be better times ahead


Tears in vain
Crying won't solve anything


As long as we will see it through
We can overcome anything together


Oh baby, you'll have me and I'll have you
We have each other's support


Tomorrow is another day
Today may be tough, but there's always another chance tomorrow


Don't break my heart
Please don't hurt me by acting in a way that makes you unhappy


No, I'll never be that way
I promise to never act in a way that brings me unhappiness




Lyrics © REGENT MUSIC CORPORATION, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Benny Goodman, Edgar Sampson, Mitchell Parish

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions