These Foolish Things
Billie Holiday Billie Holiday And Her Orchestra Lyrics
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An airline ticket to romantic places
Still my heart has wings
These foolish things remind me of you
A tinkling piano in the next apartment
Those stumblin' words that told you what my heart meant
A fair ground painted swings
You came, you saw, you conquered me
When you did that to me
I knew somehow this had to be
The winds of march that made my heart a dancer
A telephone that rings but who's to answer
Oh, how the ghost of you clings
These foolish things remind me of you
In Billie Holiday's song "These Foolish Things," she sings about various things that remind her of her lost love. The lyrics focus on seemingly insignificant items and moments that, despite their smallness, hold immense meaning because they remind her of her former love. The opening lines reference a cigarette with lipstick stains and an airline ticket, both of which were tangible reminders of her time with her love. However, it is not just things that remind her of her love, but also situations and sounds, such as the sound of a nearby piano or the words she stumbled over when trying to express her feelings. The chorus emphasizes the power of these memories, stating that “these foolish things remind me of you.” The last lines of the song point to the persistence of this love and its impact on her, with the image of a ghost clinging to her.
Through the lyrics of “These Foolish Things,” Billie Holiday creates a moving expression of the way small, seemingly unimportant moments can hold immense emotional significance. The song captures the power of memory and association in shaping our understanding of love and loss. The lyrics’ emphasis on small details and memories rather than grand gestures or romantic clichés speaks to the universality of the feelings of love and heartbreak.
Line by Line Meaning
A cigarette that bares a lipstick's traces
I am reminded of you when I see a cigarette with lipstick stains on it
An airline ticket to romantic places
Whenever I see an airline ticket to exotic locations, my heart feels as light as a feather, like it did when we were together
Still my heart has wings
Even though you're gone, my heart still feels free and light
These foolish things remind me of you
All these small things that only we shared, they bring back cherished memories of you
A tinkling piano in the next apartment
When I hear a piano played from the next apartment, I am reminded of when we used to listen to music together
Those stumblin' words that told you what my heart meant
I remember the difficulty I had telling you how I felt, stumbling over my words, but I finally managed to convey what was in my heart
A fair ground painted swings
When I see the swings at the fair, I'm reminded of the fun we had together in those carefree days
You came, you saw, you conquered me
You came into my life and you had me from the start, you won me over with your charm and grace
When you did that to me
When you captured my heart, making me feel so alive and loved
I knew somehow this had to be
I knew deep down that we were meant to be together, that our love was inevitable
The winds of march that made my heart a dancer
The gentle spring winds stirred something in me, awakening the joy and happiness that love brings
A telephone that rings but who's to answer
When the phone rings and you're not on the other end, I'm left wondering who will be there to brighten my day
Oh, how the ghost of you clings
The memory of you stays with me, haunting me in those quiet moments when I'm alone
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Harry Link, Holt Marvell, Jack Strachey
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Blake Leonhardt
By far my favorite Billie song. Absolutely love it- especially this version.
Imani M
What a beautiful voice she had. This song is perfect! 🎶
Imani M
8.1.19
ack848
Nobody but nobody sings a song like Billie. She turns me into jelly.
allan slaugh
A soul singer before the term became popular , she sang from her heart and soul. RIP Lady.
Rosalyn Samuels
"Oh how the ghost of you clings, these foolish things......." great lyrics and the best singer in the world to sing this melancholy song!
olschool daze
billie with her best late_at_night voice on this one. the line...that told what my heart meant...seals the deal.
serge barret
Je suis tellement heureux d'avoir découvert depuis peu cette chanson et cette version là particulièrement.
Noel Siwel
Because the voice overpowers, let's not forget the amazing musical accompaniment and execution.
Noel Siwel
Overpowers is the wrong word. Shines. (They, music and lyrics, share the stage perfectly.)