The Way You Look Tonight
Benny Goodman and His Orchestra with Peggy Lee Lyrics
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When the world is cold,
I will feel a glow just thinking of you
And the way you look tonight.
Yes you're lovely, with your smile so warm
And your cheeks so soft,
There is nothing for me but to love you,
With each word your tenderness grows,
Tearing my fear apart
And that laugh that wrinkles your nose,
It touches my foolish heart.
Lovely
Never, ever change.
Keep that breathless charm.
Won't you please arrange it ?
'Cause I love you
Just the way you look tonight.
Mm, Mm, Mm, Mm,
Just the way you look to-night.
The song "The Way You Look Tonight" by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra featuring Peggy Lee is a beautiful love song that expresses the deep love and affection that the singer feels towards their lover. The lyrics describe a scenario where the singer is feeling low and the world is cold but just the thought of their lover brings a warm glow to their heart. The singer goes on to express how lovely their lover is, with a warm smile, soft cheeks and a tender heart that tears apart their fears. The singer loves their lover just the way they are and asks them to never change their breathless charm.
Overall, the song is a beautiful tribute to unconditional love and affection. It describes how even in the darkest of times, the warmth and love of our significant other can bring hope and light to our lives. The lyrics also praise the physical appearance of the lover, but it is more focused on their inner qualities and how they make the singer feel. This song is an iconic love song that will always be a classic and continue to touch the hearts of people around the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Some day, when I'm awfully low,
In the future, when I am feeling extremely down,
When the world is cold,
When everything around me feels cold and harsh,
I will feel a glow just thinking of you
I will feel a warm, glowing sensation when I think of you.
And the way you look tonight.
And the way you appear at this moment in time.
Yes you're lovely, with your smile so warm
You are truly beautiful, with your warm and inviting smile,
And your cheeks so soft,
And your cheeks are tender and delicate,
There is nothing for me but to love you,
There is nothing I can do but love you deeply,
And the way you look tonight.
And the way you appear at this moment in time.
With each word your tenderness grows,
With every word you say, your kindness and affection towards me increases,
Tearing my fear apart
Dissolving my insecurities and fears,
And that laugh that wrinkles your nose,
And your joyous laughter that causes your nose to wrinkle,
It touches my foolish heart.
It deeply affects my silly, vulnerable heart.
Lovely
Beautiful and remarkable,
Never, ever change.
Please never alter who you are.
Keep that breathless charm.
Maintain that enchanting and captivating quality you possess.
Won't you please arrange it ?
Would you mind organizing it?
'Cause I love you
Because I am in love with you,
Just the way you look tonight.
Just the way you appear at this moment in time.
Mm, Mm, Mm, Mm,
Murmurs of approval and admiration.
Just the way you look to-night.
Just the way you appear at this moment in time.
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dorothy Fields, Jerome Kern
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@garyk.nedrow8302
This song was introduced by Fred Astaire in the 1936 film, "Swing Time" and was a major hit. This version by Goodman and Lee in 1942 is more romantic and features Lee's pure vocals (no tremolos, no affectations). It sounds deceptively simple until you try to duplicate Lee's phrasing and breath control. Here the orchestra plays too softly to cover any mistakes, and Lee hits every note in perfect time. Note her crisp articulation; that was typical of all Big Band singers. Lee is better known for her later jazz classics, such as "Fever," "I'm a Woman," and "Black Coffee," but in the Big Band era, lead singers had to be able to sing in a range of styles, which she could. She was one of the best. In her youth, she sang lovely ballads like this one as well as anyone.
@musicola7371
This is a recording with the Benny Goodman Sextet, not with the big band orchestra.
@duvawn1
There is a story that she tried singing this at a new york night club, but no one listened to her! So she started singing louder, but that was no good. The audience just talked right over her. Then a friend gave her some advice, sing very softly. Soon enough the whole club quieted down just to hear what she was singing. What a beautiful voice.
@zeekfromthecreek
Maybe that's how she got the reputation of not having a particularly loud voice.
@fifermcgee5971
She's an American treasure.
@celestialgz
I was looking everywhere to find out who was the lovely voice singing in this song (on the benny goodman sextet album ) but I'm so glad that I did now and especially reading this story as well. I also have a quiet and soft voice and enjoy singing but I'm not very good at it and have only sung to myself. I'm way too shy to sing to anyone but hearing this story is resonating with me somehow. sing for you and carry your own voice the way it was meant to rather than try to please everyone in the room
@littledrummerboy28
Absolutely stunning performance, Peggy; with the celeste tinkling in the background it has a very hauntingly music box sound, RIP Peg.
@GrandmaGazella
A singer's singer!
@markspeer7868
And while this is certainly one of Peggy's top recordings (in my book anyway) beautifully showcasing her phrasing and ability to create an intimate feeling with the listener, let's not forget the great composer and lyricist Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields. And while I am at it, thanks to whomever at Columbia did the wonderful arrangement!
@Blade-Thing
And they say our generation's music is dark. This is beautiful!