I Cried for You
Billie Holiday/Eddie Heywood and His Orchestra Lyrics


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I cried for you, now it's your turn to cry over me
Every road has a turning
That's one thing you're learning
I cried for you, what a fool I used to be
Now I found two eyes just a little bit bluer
I found a heart just a little bit truer
I cried for you, now it's your turn to cry over me




Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Billie Holiday's song "I Cried For You" speak to the experience of heartbreak and the necessity of moving on. In the first line, she acknowledges her own vulnerability and how she had previously cried for her lover. However, in the next line, she suggests that it's now their turn to feel the pain of heartbreak. This shift in perspective is common in the aftermath of a break-up; the person who was once devastated can begin to feel empowered and ready to move forward.


The next two lines - "Every road has a turning / That's one thing you're learning" - are a reminder that life is full of ups and downs. Despite the heartbreak, there is always the possibility of a new beginning. The final verse suggests that Billie has indeed found someone new: "I found two eyes just a little bit bluer / I found a heart just a little bit truer." The song ends with a repetition of the first line, but now the focus is on the former lover's turn to experience pain.


Overall, "I Cried For You" captures the raw emotion of heartbreak but also offers a sense of hope for the future. It is a testament to Billie Holiday's skill as a songwriter and performer that the song still resonates with listeners today, over 80 years after its original release.


Line by Line Meaning

I cried for you, now it's your turn to cry over me
I shed tears for you, but now it's your time to experience that same pain over losing me.


Every road has a turning
Life's paths are unpredictable and full of surprises.


That's one thing you're learning
I see that you are starting to understand this concept.


I cried for you, what a fool I used to be
I can't believe how foolish I was to care for someone who didn't appreciate my love.


Now I found two eyes just a little bit bluer
I have moved on and found someone better who sees me and appreciates me more.


I found a heart just a little bit truer
The person I am with now loves me more sincerely and genuinely.


I cried for you, now it's your turn to cry over me
I know you are regretting letting me go and now you are the one feeling the pain of losing someone you cared about.




Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Gus Arnheim, Arthur Freed, Abe Lyman

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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