Lover Man
Billie Hoilday and the Count Basie Orchestra Lyrics
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I long to try something I never had
Never had no kissing
Oh, what I've been missing
Lover man, oh, where can you be
The night is cold and I'm so alone
I'd give my soul just to call you my own
But no one to love me
Lover man, oh, where can you be
I've heard it said
That the thrill of romance
Can be like a heavenly dream
I go to bed with a prayer
That you'll make love to me
Strange as it seems
Someday we'll meet
And you'll dry all my tears
Then whisper sweet
Little things in my ear
Hugging and a kissing
Oh, what we've been missing
Lover man, oh, where can you be
I've heard it said
That the thrill of romance
Can be like a heavenly dream
I go to bed with a prayer
That you'll make love to me
Strange as it seems
Someday we'll meet
And you'll dry all my tears
Then whisper sweet
Little things in my ear
Hugging and a kissing
Oh, what we've been missing
Lover man, oh, where can you be
The song "Lover Man" by Billie Holiday is a pining and melancholic declaration of longing for a love that seems impossible to find. The opening lines, "I don't know why but I'm feeling so sad, I long to try something I never had" convey a sense of desperation, as if the singer is unable to comprehend or explain her sorrow. She yearns for the affection of a man she has yet to meet, one that will fill the void in her life, and more specifically, her heart.
The chorus contains the repeated refrain of "Lover man, oh, where can you be," which serves as a sort of plea for the universe to bring her the one she desires. The lyrics are further enhanced by the mournful tone of Holiday's voice, which conveys the depth of her emotional state. As the song progresses, she continues to describe the emptiness she's feeling, "The night is cold and I'm so alone, I'd give my soul just to call you my own," culminating in a moment of vulnerability as she prays for her lover to come to her: "I go to bed with a prayer that you'll make love to me, strange as it seems."
The final line of the song, "Lover man, oh, where can you be," is repeated several times, fading out at the end to create a sense of sad resignation. The song ends on a note of longing and desperation, a recognition that the singer's yearning for a fulfilling love may remain unfulfilled.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know why but I'm feeling so sad
I am feeling a deep sadness, but I cannot explain the reason for my sorrow
I long to try something I never had
I have a strong desire to experience something new and different
Never had no kissing
I have never experienced the simple pleasure of kissing
Oh, what I've been missing
I have been deprived of the joys of physical love for far too long
Lover man, oh, where can you be
I am searching for a romantic partner who can fulfill my needs and desires
The night is cold and I'm so alone
I feel isolated and lonely in the chilly darkness of the night
I'd give my soul just to call you my own
I am willing to sacrifice anything to make you mine
Got a moon above me
Although I am alone, the bright moon shines down upon me
But no one to love me
Despite the beauty of the moonlit night, I am without someone to share it with
I've heard it said
It has been claimed by many people
That the thrill of romance
The excitement and passion of a romantic relationship
Can be like a heavenly dream
The intensity and joy of love can feel like a blissful dream come true
I go to bed with a prayer
I end each day with a fervent hope or wish
That you'll make love to me
That we will share a physical and emotional connection
Strange as it seems
Although it might sound unusual or improbable
Someday we'll meet
At some point in the future, we will finally come together
And you'll dry all my tears
You will comfort me and take away all my sadness and pain
Then whisper sweet
You will express tender and kind words to me
Little things in my ear
You will speak softly and privately to me, sharing your feelings and thoughts
Hugging and a kissing
We will embrace each other tightly and enjoy the pleasure of kissing
Oh, what we've been missing
We have been deprived of the warm and loving physical touch that we crave
Lover man, oh, where can you be
I am still searching for the romantic partner who can fulfill all my needs and desires
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JAMES O. DAVIS, JIMMY SHERMAN, ROGER J. RAMIREZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@warenvoillot4081
I don't know why but I'm feeling so sad
I long to try something I never had
Never had no kissing
Oh, what I've been missing
Lover man, oh, where can you be
The night is cold and I'm so alone
I'd give my soul just to call you my own
Got a moon above me
But no one to love me
Lover man, oh, where can you be
I've heard it said
That the thrill of romance
Can be like a heavenly dream
I go to bed with a prayer
That you'll make love to me
Strange as it seems
Someday we'll meet
And you'll dry all my tears
Then whisper sweet
Little things in my ear
Hugging and a kissing
Oh, what we've been missing
Lover man, oh, where can you be
@dcmkcbbq
In 1941 my Uncle was a kid and cleaned up at the local armory. Billie Holiday came to perform and my Uncle was walking down the hall and Billie Holiday called him into her dressing room. She asked him to buy her a pint of gin and gave him a $5 bill. My Uncle looked at her and said I'm only 14, I can't buy liquor. Billie Holiday looked at him and said "it's not a problem, just tell the owner it's for Lady Day." So, my Uncle went to the store to buy the gin, told the owner it was for Lady Day. The owner just chuckled, and sold him the gin. My Uncle brought the gin back to Billie and she told him to keep the change.
@bigeman25
Like I have read and heard many times, so many people feel she was a waste in her last years on this earth. I beg to differ.
She was not the same voice we heard in 1941 or the same person. That later voice is one of so much living, hard living at that. I hear a voice of pure raw life, struggle and pain and slices of joy where it could be found.
She was a singer of song and as she said, she sang what she felt.
@conradsunkiojack2538
So melancholic. When Lady Day sings you know it's straight from her ♥️👍💋!
@GBMEMUSICMAN
My parents loved her. I grew up listening to her. Wow. what would life be without this voice in it...
@chris245885
Amazing how we still feel her pain. She always helps me - listning to her, makes me realize, that no problem, I have is measurable with what hers must have been.
@jerryj920
April 7th: Happy birthday Jazz-Blues Singer Eleanora Fagan / Billie Holiday "Lady Day" (1915-1959) Grammy Hall of Fame, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Thank you and God bless. RIP Legend. Thanks for the upload, TheBillie HolidayExperience. Blessings
@demimendez2895
Pure, true, simply billie!
@ronaldblack1508
she sounds the same just more worst pain.....I love Ms Billie Holiday
@valtrono623
Shes my number one Jazz singer who really sings so good :-) since then...
@chrisnetty1566
Kerouacs On The Road brought me here., beautiful!!