Baby I Don't Cry Over You
Billie Holiday Lyrics


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Had my lunch all alone
Waited for you to phone
Said you call me at two
So at about twenty of three
I had cocktails with Lee
Baby, I don't cry over you

Stood me up in the rain
Tried to hurt me again
Bet you thought I'd be blue
I went out to a show
With a swell guy named Joe
Baby, I don't cry over you

These foolish games you keep playing
Might work with somebody else
But I could have told you
Right from the start
No man is man enough
To break my heart

If you don't come tonight
Think you'll give me a fright
Tell you what I will do
I'll put on my best gown
And go painting this town
Baby, I don't cry over you

These foolish games you keep playing
Might work with somebody else
But I could have told you
Right from the start
No man is man enough
To break my heart

If you don't come tonight
Think you'll give me a fright
Tell you what I will do
I'll put on my best gown
And go painting this town
Baby, I don't cry over you

Listen Jack you're sweet Jill




Will be out with some Bill
Maybe I don't cry over you

Overall Meaning

In Billie Holiday's song "Baby I Don't Cry Over You," the singer is telling a story about a person who stands them up, making plans to meet and then not following through. While waiting for the phone to ring, the singer has lunch alone and then cocktails with Lee when the call never comes. The singer doesn't let this setback get her down, as she has learned not to cry over this person who has let her down before.


The singer goes out with Joe to a show and tells the listeners that no man is man enough to break her heart, acknowledging that "these foolish games" her partner is playing might work on someone else, but not her. In the last verse, the singer addresses the person directly, letting them know that they haven't caused her any pain and that she isn't sitting at home upset. Instead, she intends to put on her best gown and paint the town with Jill and Bill, not crying over this person who has let her down yet again.


Overall, this song is about resilience and not letting someone else's actions bring someone down. The singer is empowered and knows her worth, not allowing anyone to break her heart.


Line by Line Meaning

Had my lunch all alone
I ate my lunch by myself


Waited for you to phone
I was waiting for you to call me


Said you call me at two
You told me you would call me at 2 o'clock


So at about twenty of three
Since it was twenty minutes to three


I had cocktails with Lee
I had drinks with my friend Lee


Baby, I don't cry over you
I don't cry over you, my dear


Stood me up in the rain
You left me waiting in the rain


Tried to hurt me again
You tried to hurt me once more


Bet you thought I'd be blue
You probably thought I would be sad


I went out to a show
I went out to watch a show


With a swell guy named Joe
I went with a great guy named Joe


These foolish games you keep playing
These silly games you continue to play


Might work with somebody else
It might work with someone else


But I could have told you
But I could have informed you


Right from the start
From the very beginning


No man is man enough
No man is strong enough


To break my heart
To break my heart, that is


If you don't come tonight
If you don't come tonight


Think you'll give me a fright
I think you're trying to scare me


Tell you what I will do
Here's what I'll do


I'll put on my best gown
I'll wear my best dress


And go painting this town
And I'll go have fun around the town


Listen Jack you're sweet Jill
Listen to me, Jack, you're sweet


Will be out with some Bill
I will be out with a guy named Bill


Maybe I don't cry over you
Maybe I don't cry over you after all




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: MORTON KROUSE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@maryrowley8402

This is a true Female Power Song. Love it. There comes a day when you realise the Jokers and Playboys are not worth shedding Tears for .

@christinaventurini9695

No man is man enough to break my heart

@mikedarrah6945

This song was featured in an episode of Quantum Leap. I am a 40 year old jazz musician, just got home from a 4 hour solo piano gig, got home, flipped on some Q, from back in the day when Q meant Q, and heard this gem. What a band! And Billie is of course fabulous. One of her best small group cuts.

@monicabella7894

No man is man enough to break my heart.

@MrDorbel

A wonderful pop record, great song, beautifully sung and what a band. A gem.

@htownkaykay

My fav ❤️

@michaeljamesleslie

The phrasing and time are stunning....she did more than singers with bigger and better voices. I love this song.

@Missjunebugfreak

That's exactly why I love her voice so much. She did so much with her phrasing and tone that many singers with huge voices aren't capable of.

@monicabella7894

Better voices?! Wie bitte !!!

@rbfclaboratoryandstudio

I see what you’re saying, but in part for the very reason you describe, NO ONE had a better voice. ;)

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