It's Like Reaching For The Moon
Billie Holiday and Teddy Wilson & His Orchestra Lyrics
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It's like reaching for the sun
It's like reaching for the stars
Reaching for you
You're so far above me
How can I expect than an angel to
It's so refined as you are
It's like flying without wings
Playing fiddle without strings
And a million other things
No one can do
No, my hopes are slender
In my secret heart I pray you'll surrender soon
No, it's like reaching for the moon
The lyrics of It's Like Reaching for the Moon by Billie Holiday and Teddy Wilson convey the idea of the impossibility of attaining something that seems unattainable. The comparison of reaching for the moon, sun, and stars illustrate the difficulty of achieving one's desires, particularly when it comes to romantic love. The metaphorical language in the lyrics is further emphasized by the singer's admission that the object of their affections is so far above them, like an angel, making it hard for them to believe that they will ever have a chance with that person. The line "It's so refined as you are" emphasizes the unapproachable nature of the person they are in love with, as if they are too good for the singer.
The imagery used in the song conveys a sense of impossibility in other areas as well, not just in love. The phrases "flying without wings" and "playing fiddle without strings" show that certain things are beyond human potential. Despite the slim chances of success, the singer confesses that their "secret heart" desires a surrender from the person they are in love with. The final line of the song "No, it's like reaching for the moon" emphasizes the futility of the singer's longing.
Overall, the lyrics of It's Like Reaching for the Moon by Billie Holiday and Teddy Wilson convey a sense of longing and yearning for something that seems unattainable, be it love or any other form of desire. The use of metaphors and imagery emphasizes the difficulty and impossibility of achieving certain things, despite the singer's hope for a surrender from the one they love.
Line by Line Meaning
It's like reaching for the moon
Trying to attain something that is almost impossible to achieve
It's like reaching for the sun
Comparing the difficulty of reaching their desired goal to the virtually impossible act of touching the sun
It's like reaching for the stars
Expressing how challenging it is to try and grasp what seems to be just out of reach
Reaching for you
The thing that the singer is trying to attain is the love of another person
You're so far above me
The intended recipient of the singer's love is significantly superior to them in terms of status or social standing
How can I expect than an angel to
The singer feels unworthy of their desired partner due to their own perceived inadequacies
It's so refined as you are
The singer views their desired partner as being sophisticated and worldly, reflecting a sense of admiration and awe
It's like flying without wings
Trying to achieve what the singer desires is equivalent to performing a seemingly impossible feat
Playing fiddle without strings
Comparing the act of reaching for something unattainable to attempting to play a musical instrument that isn't even in your possession
And a million other things
There are countless other tasks that would be easier to accomplish than attaining the love of the desired person
No one can do
Achieving their desired goal is so difficult that even the most talented or skilled individuals are likely to fail
No, my hopes are slender
The singer's chances of getting what they desire are slim, reflecting a sense of resignation and despair
In my secret heart I pray you'll surrender soon
Despite the odds being against them, the singer still holds out hope that their desired partner will eventually reciprocate their feelings
No, it's like reaching for the moon
The comparison to reaching for the moon is reiterated at the end to emphasize just how difficult and unlikely the singer's quest is
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: AL LEWIS, AL SHERMAN, GERALD MARQUSEE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Manondanielle
the emotional load she put in her singing is so good.. I don't think any singer will be able to imitate this, I just feel it! she's one of the best!
@Hessulo
many tries though. One of the very few who can sing songs jazzly and still sharp. She is in my top5.
@johndastor
Her voice is so manificent on this track. Just loveliness and feeling that touches me so deeply.
@heberlunadiaz8174
que preciosa voz tenia esta mujer no hay palabras para describir lo hermosa que era su voz
@dvoracekedith1740
So indescribable ! So different ! Sooo beautiful !
@krPeter2010
simply a work of genius
@Mondibaby
one of my favorites from that period ... sing it Lady Day!
@johndastor
So deep....
@My2up2downCastle
this and 'They Say' are ny absolute favourites of
Ms Holiday's songs ❤
@animalxfree
Billie is perfection.