Benny Goodman led his first band in 1934. The music they played had its ro… Read Full Bio ↴Benny Goodman led his first band in 1934. The music they played had its roots in the Southern jazz forms of ragtime and Dixieland, while its structure adhered more to arranged music than its more improvisational jazz counterparts. On August 21, 1935, Benny's band played the Palomar Ballroom in Los Angeles. The gig was sensational and marked the beginning of the years that Benny would reign as King: the Swing Era.

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I'm Old Fashioned
Benny Goodman and His Orchestra Lyrics

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I am not such a clever one
About the latest fads
I admit I was never one
Adored by local lads
Not that I ever try to be a saint
I'm the type that they classify as quaint
I'm old fashioned
I love the moonlight

I love the old fashioned things
The sound of rain
Upon a window pane
The starry song that April sings
This year's fancies
Are passing fancies
But sighing sighs holding hands
These my heart understands
I know I'm old fashioned
But I don't mind it
That's how I want to be
As long as you agree
To stay old fashioned with me

I'm old fashioned
But I don't mind it
That's how I want to be
As long as you agree
To stay old fashioned with me

Oh won't you stay old fashioned with me
Oh please stay old fashioned with me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Benny Goodman and His Orchestra's song "I'm Old Fashioned" are an ode to tradition and simplicity in a world that is constantly changing. The singer admits that they are not up-to-date on the latest trends and fads, but they don't mind because they cherish the "old fashioned" things in life. The sound of rain on a windowpane and the starry song that April sings are just a few examples of things that the singer loves. They believe that the passing fancies of the current year are nowhere near as important as the timeless act of holding hands and sighing sighs.

The singer knows that they are "old fashioned," but they embrace it and don't want to change. They are content with being classified as "quaint" and find comfort in their way of life. The song is a plea to the listener to join them in this old fashioned way of life. The singer wants someone who will agree to stay old fashioned with them and appreciate the simple things in life.

Line by Line Meaning

I am not such a clever one
I am not someone who is always informed and knowledgeable about the latest trends and styles

About the latest fads
About the latest fashionable crazes

I admit I was never one
I confess that I was never someone

Adored by local lads
Who was popular or admired by the boys from the area

Not that I ever try to be a saint
It's not that I strive to be a model of perfection

I'm the type that they classify as quaint
I'm the kind of person that they label as old-fashioned or charmingly out-of-date

I'm old fashioned
I have a fondness for the past and for traditions

I love the moonlight
I have an appreciation for the serene and romantic atmosphere that the moon's light brings

I love the old fashioned things
I have a liking for things that are not modern, but rather traditional or classic

The sound of rain
The noise that is produced by the falling drops of water from the sky

Upon a window pane
As it strikes against a glass surface

The starry song that April sings
The beautiful, enchanting melody that is created by the stars and the month of April

This year's fancies
The current obsessions or interests of people that are fashionable or trendy for the year

Are passing fancies
Are fleeting interests that will not last or endure

But sighing sighs holding hands
But the feeling of contentment that comes from the act of holding hands and sighing with pleasure

These my heart understands
These are the things that my heart knows and appreciates

I know I'm old fashioned
I acknowledge and accept that I have traditional beliefs and preferences

But I don't mind it
But I am comfortable with it and happy to be this way

That's how I want to be
This is the kind of person that I aspire to be

As long as you agree
If you also feel the same way and are in accordance with my beliefs

To stay old fashioned with me
Then, I hope that you will also stay true to the traditional ways, just like me.

Oh won't you stay old fashioned with me
Oh, I hope that you will continue to embrace our love for traditional values and beliefs with me

Oh please stay old fashioned with me
Please, let's stay true to our love of classic and timeless things together

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Johnny Mercer, Jerome Kern

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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