But Not For Me
Billie Holiday Lyrics


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They're writing songs of love, but not for me.
A lucky star's above, but not for me.
With love to lead the way
I've found more clouds of grey
than any Russain play could guarantee.
I was a fool to fall and get that way;
Heigh-ho! Alas! And also, lack-a-day!
Although I can't dismiss the mem'ry of his kiss, I guess he's mot for me.

He's knocking on a door, but not for me.
He'll plan a two by four, but not for me.
I know that love's a game;
I'm puzzled, just the same,
was I the moth or flame?
I'm all at sea.
It all began so well, but what an end!
This is the time a feller needs a friend,




when ev'ry happy plot ends with the marriage knot,
and there's no knot for me.

Overall Meaning

In Billie Holiday's song "But Not for Me," she laments about being unlucky in love while others seem to thrive. The first couplet sets the tone for the song: "They're writing songs of love, but not for me. A lucky star's above, but not for me." She acknowledges that love and luck are all around her, but they do not include her. The image of a star adds to the sense of destiny and fate that is missing from her life.


Holiday goes on to describe how she has ended up with "more clouds of grey than any Russian play could guarantee." Here, she alludes to the bleak and tragic tone of classic Russian plays, suggesting that her life has been just as tragic when it comes to love. She then reflects on a past relationship, acknowledging that she "was a fool to fall and get that way" but still can't fully forget the memories of their time together.


In the second half of the song, Holiday shifts to talking about a specific person who is pursuing love and making plans ("He's knocking on a door, but not for me. He'll plan a two by four, but not for me"). She feels lost and confused about whether she was the one pursuing him or the one being pursued ("was I the moth or flame? I'm all at sea"). The song ends on a somber note, with Holiday acknowledging that happiness seems to elude her: "This is the time a feller needs a friend, when ev'ry happy plot ends with the marriage knot, and there's no knot for me."


Overall, "But Not for Me" is a poignant and introspective look at love and loneliness. Holiday's delivery is haunting and emotional, making the listener feel every bit of her pain and longing.


Line by Line Meaning

They're writing songs of love, but not for me.
People are composing love songs, but not exclusively for me.


A lucky star's above, but not for me.
I am not fortunate enough to have a success in my pursuit of love.


With love to lead the way I've found more clouds of grey than any Russian play could guarantee.
Despite approaching love with an open mind, I have experienced much disappointment and sadness.


I was a fool to fall and get that way; Heigh-ho! Alas! And also, lack-a-day!
I made a mistake by falling in love and now I am left to feel regret and sadness.


Although I can't dismiss the mem'ry of his kiss, I guess he's mot for me.
Even though the memory of our kiss lingers, I understand that he is not meant for me.


He's knocking on a door, but not for me.
Someone is pursuing a relationship, but it is not with me.


He'll plan a two by four, but not for me.
He may be making plans, but none of them involve me.


I know that love's a game; I'm puzzled, just the same, was I the moth or flame?
I understand that love can be a game, but I am unsure if I was the one being pursued or if I was doing the pursuing.


I'm all at sea.
I am feeling lost and unsure of where to go next.


It all began so well, but what an end!
The start of the relationship was promising, but the end result was not what I had hoped for.


This is the time a feller needs a friend, when ev'ry happy plot ends with the marriage knot, and there's no knot for me.
During this difficult period, it would be beneficial to have a supportive friend, especially since it seems like everyone else is getting married except for me.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Milica Jankovic

They're writing songs of love, but not for me.
A lucky star's above, but not for me.
With love to lead the way
I've found more clouds of gray
Than any Russian play could guarantee.
I was a fool to fall and get that way;
Heigh-ho! Alas! And also, lack-a-day!
Although I can't dismiss the memory of his kiss, I guess he's mot for me.
He's knocking on a door, but not for me.
He'll plan a two by four, but not for me.
I know that love's a game;
I'm puzzled, just the same,
Was I the moth or flame?
I'm all at sea.
It all began so well, but what an end!
This is the time a feller needs a friend,
When every happy plot ends with the marriage knot,
And there's no knot for me.



All comments from YouTube:

Tom Vardin

even with her limited range, her voice - the ultimate jazz instrument.

Miguel Ángel Guízar pino

Fabuloso !!!!!

Giuliana Da Sois

Voce fantastica

doyen marc

fantastique !!!

Milica Jankovic

They're writing songs of love, but not for me.
A lucky star's above, but not for me.
With love to lead the way
I've found more clouds of gray
Than any Russian play could guarantee.
I was a fool to fall and get that way;
Heigh-ho! Alas! And also, lack-a-day!
Although I can't dismiss the memory of his kiss, I guess he's mot for me.
He's knocking on a door, but not for me.
He'll plan a two by four, but not for me.
I know that love's a game;
I'm puzzled, just the same,
Was I the moth or flame?
I'm all at sea.
It all began so well, but what an end!
This is the time a feller needs a friend,
When every happy plot ends with the marriage knot,
And there's no knot for me.

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Russell Smyth

Anyone know who plays the trumpet solo on this ta !! !?

Mboya Nicholson

Thank you for posting this. But can you change the picture that comes up at 0:05? It's not Billie Holiday, just an actress with a flower in her hair.

eguirald

My idol...

Julio Sintony

niente male le altre versioni ..

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