I Cried for You
Billie Holiday and Teddy Wilson & His Orchestra Lyrics


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I remember other days how I used to weep
Over things you said to me; I couldn't even sleep
You forgot your promises, every single vow
All you did was laugh at me, but things are different now

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

How can I forget the hours that I worried through
Wondering the live long day just what next thing to do?
In those days you never thought anything of me
But the slave that was all yours and now at last is free

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

In "I Cried for You," Billie Holiday sings about a relationship that has ended, but not without leaving emotional scars. The song is a testimony of how the singer has been hurt by a partner who broke their promises and vows. The opening lines reminisce on how the singer used to weep at the things their partner said, unable to sleep. The partner had been careless, laughing at their pain, and forgetting their promises. However, things have changed. The singer declares that they have cried for the partner, and now it's their turn to cry over them.


The chorus, "I cried for you; now it's your turn to cry over me," is a powerful statement of the singer's triumph over their former partner. They have found someone else, someone with gentler eyes and truer heart. The past has made them wiser, and they now know that every road has a turning. As they sing, "What a fool I used to be," the singer acknowledges their past naivety but also basks in the moment of present satisfaction. They are now free from the slavery of their past relationship and have moved on to a better life.


Overall, "I Cried For You" is a story about moving through heartbreak and emerging stronger on the other side. The singer has spent enough time grieving, and now it's their former partner's turn to feel the pain. The song ends with the tone of finality, with the singer having made peace with their past and ready for the new relationship.


Line by Line Meaning

I remember other days how I used to weep
I recall a time when I would shed tears over the hurtful things you said to me, causing even my sleep to be disturbed.


Over things you said to me; I couldn't even sleep
The things you said to me would cause such turmoil that I found it impossible to find rest in sleep.


You forgot your promises, every single vow
You failed to keep your word and broke every promise you made to me, leaving me disappointed and hurt.


All you did was laugh at me, but things are different now
You used to find pleasure in my pain, but now the tables have turned, and things have changed.


I cried for you; now it's your turn to cry over me
I shed tears for you in the past, and now it's your turn to feel the same heartache over me.


Every road has a turning
Every path in life presents unexpected twists and turns.


That's one thing you're learning
You are realizing this truth through the pain you are now experiencing.


I cried for you; what a fool I used to be
I look back and realize how foolish I was to have invested so much emotion into someone who did not value me.


Now I found two eyes just a little bit bluer
I have found someone whose eyes are even more captivating than yours.


I found a heart just a little bit truer
I have discovered someone whose heart is more genuine and loyal than yours ever was.


How can I forget the hours that I worried through
I cannot forget the countless hours I spent consumed with worry and anxiety over our relationship.


Wondering the live long day just what next thing to do?
I spent my days pondering what my next move in our relationship should be, unsure of how to make things better between us.


In those days you never thought anything of me
During our time together, you never truly valued or appreciated me for who I was.


But the slave that was all yours and now at last is free
I was once bound to you, like a slave to their master, but now I am free from the chains of our toxic relationship.




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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Rezoprana

Never again are we going to witness great music like this and many others.

monica bella

So true, especially this kind.

Knucklehead

Remarkable talent - and accompaniment - and notice - all in one take. . . no technical fancy stuff needed like today to cover up for those who cannot sing. . .

Knucklehead

Used this cassette tape for almost every fundraising fancy cocktail/dinner party for a decade - great music and never interfered with conversation or mood.

kmc56

The Johnny Hodges saxophone solo became a sample for every saxophonist and Billie's version was just as good. One of the reason's this did so well could be in the fact that this one of the first standards she recorded. The tune had been around since 1923 and in the public mind. Other members in the Teddy Wilson Orchestra were Harry Carney on baritone sax, Lawrence Lucie guitar, John Kirby bass and Cozy Cole drums.

Washington DC Girl

THIS SONG IS SO HOW I FEEL RIGHT NOW, SING IT BILLIE.

CAROL GONZALEZ

I’m hurting and only Billie can express it for me! 😪

C Flow

Yes indeed!! This is a Billie Holiday favorite of mine. Classic, with a great line up of musicians! Teddy Wulson, etc..

Kiki 63

Fun, dancy, classical. I love it :)

Sunburst

I love this song and I love when different singers sing it

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