He was born in Hamburg, Germany, and studied at the School of Music there. A multi-instrumentalist, he was hired by Hans Busch to play with his orchestra before serving as a bandsman in the German Navy during World War II. He later formed his own big band, toured with them, then worked as an arranger and producer, making hit records with Freddy Quinn and Ivo Robic. In 1961, he hired The Beatles to back Tony Sheridan on "My Bonnie (Lies Over the Ocean)," "When the Saints Go Marching In," "Ain't She Sweet" and "Cry for a Shadow," in a session for Polydor. These turned out to be the Beatles' first commercial recordings. When Beatles manager Brian Epstein asked Kaempfert about further promoting The Beatles, Kaempfert informed Epstein that the company was only interested in The Beatles as Tony Sheridan's backup group. (It also turned out British Decca executive Dick Rowe turned them down in favor of local beat combo Brian Poole and the Tremeloes.) He then released The Beatles from their contract with Polydor.
Serenade
Bert Kaempfert Lyrics
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I'm somewhere in another world, alone with you
Sharing all the joys we used to know
Many moons ago
Once again your face comes back to me
Just like the theme of some forgotten melody
In the album of my memorySerenade in blue
It seems like only yesterday
The small cafe, a crowded floor
And as we danced the night away
I hear you say forever more
And then the song became a sigh
Forever more became goodbye
Cause you remained in my heart, but
Tell me darling in there still a spark?
Or only lonely ashes of the flame we knew
Should I go on whistling in the dark,
Serenade in blue
In Bert Kaempfert's song Serenade in Blue, the singer describes the emotional impact that the song has on them. The opening verse speaks to the power of music to take us to another place and time. The singer feels as though they are transported to another world when they hear the song, and they are reminded of a past love. As the song continues, the singer reminisces about the joys they shared with this former love. They recall dancing together in a crowded cafe and making promises of forever. However, as time passed, their love faded, and they were left with only memories of what once was.
The singer's final question "Tell me, darling, is there still a spark?" reveals a deep longing for a rekindling of the past love. They wonder if their former love still holds any feelings for them or if they are now just lonely ashes of a flame that once burned bright. The final line, "Should I go on whistling in the dark, Serenade in blue," suggests that while the singer may be unsure of what the future holds, they are comforted by the bittersweet memories they share with this song.
Line by Line Meaning
When I hear that Serenade in blue
Whenever I listen to that Serenade in blue,
I'm somewhere in another world, alone with you
I'm transported to another world and I'm alone with you,
Sharing all the joys we used to know
We share all the happiness we once had,
Many moons ago
It was many years ago,
Once again your face comes back to me
Once again, I recall your face,
Just like the theme of some forgotten melody
Just like the melody that I've forgotten,
In the album of my memory
In the collection of my memories,
Serenade in blue
It's the Serenade in blue,
It seems like only yesterday
It feels like it was only yesterday,
The small cafe, a crowded floor
We were in a small cafe with a packed dance floor,
And as we danced the night away
As we danced through the night,
I hear you say forever more
I remember you saying that you'll be with me forever,
And then the song became a sigh
But the song became a sad reminder,
Forever more became goodbye
That forever became goodbye,
Cause you remained in my heart, but
Because you still remained in my heart, but...
Tell me darling in there still a spark?
I'm asking you my dear, is there still a spark between us?
Or only lonely ashes of the flame we knew
Or is it just the sad remnants of our past love?
Should I go on whistling in the dark,
Should I keep pretending and hoping,
Serenade in blue
While I still listen to the Serenade in blue?
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harry Warren, Mack Gordon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind