But Not For Me
Beegie Adair Lyrics
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Never tell me dreams come true
Just try it and I'll start a riot
Beatrice Fairfax don't you dare
Ever tell me he will care
I'm certain it's the final curtain
I never want to hear from any cheerful Pollyannas
Who tell you fate supplies a mate
They're writing songs of love but not for me
A lucky star's above but not for me
With love to lead the way I've found more clouds of gray
Than any Russian play could guarantee
I was a fool to fall and get that way
Hi-ho, alas, and also lack-a-day
Although I can't dismiss the memory of his kiss
I guess he's not for me
I was a fool to fall and get that way
Hi-ho, alas, and also lack-a-day
Although I can't dismiss the memory of his kiss
The lyrics to Beegie Adair's song "But Not For Me" convey a sense of hopelessness and defeat in matters of love. The song's protagonist seems jaded and cynical, unwilling to entertain the notion that love or romance can bring any real happiness or fulfillment. This is underscored by the opening lines of the song, in which the singer scoffs at the idea that dreams can come true and warns that any attempt to suggest otherwise is likely to provoke a riot. When Beatrice Fairfax suggests that the object of the singer's affection may come around, the singer dismisses this idea as well, declaring that it is the final curtain for her love life.
The chorus of the song elaborates on this theme, with the singer expressing the idea that while love songs may be popular, they offer little comfort or reassurance in her own life. The mention of a "lucky star" suggests that the idea of fate or destiny giving her the love she desires is a myth, and the ensuing lines reinforce this sentiment by noting that the singer has encountered far more disappointment and heartbreak than she ever could have anticipated. Nevertheless, the singer seems rueful rather than angry, acknowledging that she may have been foolish to fall for someone who was never going to reciprocate her feelings, but unable to shake the memory of the intense emotions she once experienced.
Line by Line Meaning
Old man sunshine listen you
Don't try to convince me that things will get better, even if the sun is shining
Never tell me dreams come true
I refuse to believe that my dreams will ever come true
Just try it and I'll start a riot
If you try to convince me otherwise, I'll become extremely angry
Beatrice Fairfax don't you dare
Don't you dare try to tell me that he'll care about me
Ever tell me he will care
I know deep down that he'll never truly care about me
I'm certain it's the final curtain
I'm convinced that this is the end of the road for me and love
I never want to hear from any cheerful Pollyannas
I don't want to hear from anyone who believes that fate will bring me a mate
Who tell you fate supplies a mate
I think it's ridiculous to believe that fate can bring you a perfect partner
It's all bananas
All of these ideas are nonsense and won't bring me any happiness
They're writing songs of love but not for me
People are writing about love, but none of those songs are for me
A lucky star's above but not for me
Even though there may be a lucky star in the sky, it's not shining down on me
With love to lead the way I've found more clouds of gray
Despite searching for love, I've only found disappointment and sadness
Than any Russian play could guarantee
The amount of sadness I've experienced exceeds even that of a Russian tragedy
I was a fool to fall and get that way
I was foolish to let myself fall in love and become vulnerable
Hi-ho, alas, and also lack-a-day
I'm filled with regret and sorrow
Although I can't dismiss the memory of his kiss
Even though that love didn't work out, I can't forget the good times we had together
I guess he's not for me
But unfortunately, he wasn't the one for me in the end.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind