April In Paris
Basie Lyrics
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I never met it face to face
I never knew my heart could sing
I never missed a warm embrace
Till April in Paris, chestnuts in blossom
Holiday tables under the trees
April in Paris, this is a feeling
I never knew the charm of spring
I never met it face to face
I never knew my heart could sing
I never missed a warm embrace
Till April in Paris
Whom can I run to
What have you done to my heart
Basie's song "April in Paris" speaks of the transformative power of spring, especially in the city of Paris. The lyrics describe the singer's realization of how wonderful the season of spring is only after experiencing it firsthand in Paris. He never knew the enchantment of the season before, nor did he comprehend what he was missing. This is emphasized when he sings, "I never knew my heart could sing, I never missed a warm embrace."
The singer then goes on to describe the beauty of Paris in April; chestnuts in blossom, and holiday tables under the trees. The city of Paris is depicted as enchanting with spring bringing out the best in it, creating a unique and amazing beauty that the singer can never forget. The feeling evoked from this experience is described to be "that no one can ever reprise." This line emphasizes how special and unforgettable the experience was for the singer.
In the final lines, the singer shows his vulnerability by asking, "Whom can I run to, what have you done to my heart?" This line suggests that the singer is smitten with Paris and the experience that he had there, as if the city has left an imprint on his heart that he can never shake off.
Line by Line Meaning
I never knew the charm of spring
I have never truly appreciated the allure and beauty of the season of spring
I never met it face to face
I have never fully experienced the season of spring in person
I never knew my heart could sing
I have never realized that my heart had the ability to express itself joyfully
I never missed a warm embrace
I have never yearned for the comfort and affectionate touch of a warm embrace
Till April in Paris, chestnuts in blossom
It was not until the time of year when the chestnut trees in Paris are in full bloom and the spring season is in full swing
Holiday tables under the trees
Seeing people gather and dine outside on tables under the trees amid the beautiful scenery of spring in Paris
April in Paris, this is a feeling
The experience of being in Paris during the month of April has a unique and special emotional impact that is hard to describe
That no one can ever reprise
This feeling is so singular and personal that it cannot be replicated or accurately described for anyone else to truly understand
Whom can I run to
I am overwhelmed with emotion and have no one to turn to for comfort or support
What have you done to my heart
The emotions stirred up inside of me by my experience in Paris during April have had a profound and unexpected effect on my heart and well-being
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: E. Y. Harburg, Vernon Duke
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ranranh.3365
Saw him live from the 5th row. He said to the band: "What do you think they want to hear now?". I said (too loud) "April in Paris". And he pointed at me, and then they played it. Unforgettable. I was permanently marked.
@SuperBC10
Wow! Thanks for sharing that. Just think - even if the great man himself had forgot that over time, his subconscious would have YOU etched in as a permanent memory. ❤
@johnchavezjr3312
👍
@CatalinaThePirate
Ah, I love it! What a fantastic memory... 😺
@TheQuantum09
😎 That IS cool!
@trblmkr5139
perfect!
@thatpancakeguy2723
I get to play this song in my high school Jazz Band, and I feel honored to be able to play something this special to so many people.
@thoughtsforthebuilders
Hope you've checked out a bunch of versions and really dug into em! You can learn so much just by really really learning one song.
@joK3323
Got to play this too recently too for my high school band at a gig. 😩
@michaelscott7462
In a few days I will be 64 years of age and I am fighting back tears of joy as I listen to this song. When I look back on my youth growing up in a rural town just south of the Mason-Dixon Line, I am blessed to have had parents who played music like this. This is nothing short of majestic. Dad always said of Count: Nobody swings like Basie. Thanks Dad.