Down The Depths
Blossom Dearie Lyrics


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Manhattan-I'm up a tree
The one I've most adored
Is bored
With me
Manhattan, I'm awf'lly nice
Nice people dine with me
And even twice
Yet the only one in the world I'm mad about
Talks of somebody else
And walks out

With a million neon rainbows burning below me
And a million blazing taxis raising a roar
Here I sit, above the town
In my pet pailletted gown
Down in the depths on the ninetieth floor
While the crowds at El Morocco punish the parquet
And at '21' the couples clamor for more
I'm deserted and depressed
In my regal eagle nest
Down in the depths on the ninetieth floor
When the only one you wanted wants another
What's the use of swank and cash in the bank galore?
Why, even the janitor's wife
Has a perfectly good love life
And here am I
Facing tomorrow




Alone with my sorrow
Down in the depths on the ninetieth floor.

Overall Meaning

The song "Down the Depths" by Blossom Dearie is a tale of loneliness and heartbreak in the midst of the bustling city of Manhattan. The singer is expressing her feelings of being abandoned by the one she loves, even though she is a successful and well-liked person in society. She feels as though she is at the bottom of the social ladder despite being up high in a tree overlooking the city.


The contrasts within the lyrics are evident, with the upbeat and energetic tone of the city being described through "a million neon rainbows" and "blazing taxis," while the singer's sadness is portrayed through the repetition of "down in the depths" and the contrast between the lively activities of people in nightclubs and her own solitude.


The line "When the only one you wanted wants another" further emphasizes the theme of longing and unrequited love, which is one that is often found in jazz and blues music. The song expresses the melancholy and despondency of being alone even in a city that never sleeps.


Line by Line Meaning

Manhattan-I'm up a tree
I feel stuck and hopeless in this big city.


The one I've most adored
The person I love the most.


Is bored / With me
They are bored with me and do not return my affection.


Manhattan, I'm awf'lly nice
I am a nice person who people like to spend time with.


Nice people dine with me / And even twice
I have good social connections and people enjoy spending time with me.


Yet the only one in the world I'm mad about / Talks of somebody else / And walks out
Despite my social connections, the person I love is interested in someone else and does not reciprocate my feelings.


With a million neon rainbows burning below me / And a million blazing taxis raising a roar / Here I sit, above the town / In my pet pailletted gown / Down in the depths on the ninetieth floor
Despite being surrounded by the vibrancy of the city, I feel alone and isolated in my high-rise apartment.


While the crowds at El Morocco punish the parquet / And at '21' the couples clamor for more
While others are out socializing and enjoying themselves, I am alone in my apartment.


I'm deserted and depressed / In my regal eagle nest / Down in the depths on the ninetieth floor
I feel abandoned and sad in my isolated apartment on the ninetieth floor.


When the only one you wanted wants another / What's the use of swank and cash in the bank galore?
When the person you want does not want you back, material possessions like money and status mean nothing.


Why, even the janitor's wife / Has a perfectly good love life / And here am I / Facing tomorrow / Alone with my sorrow / Down in the depths on the ninetieth floor
It is painful to see others find love and happiness while I am left alone with my feelings of sadness and rejection.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: COLE PORTER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Heather Collins


on Comment Allez Vous

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