Darin was a very special and talented entertainer. He was a Grammy award winning singer ('Mack The Knife'), a respected member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ('Dream Lover', 'Splish Splash', 'If I Were A Carpenter') a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, a successful record producer, an Oscar nominated actor and a strong supporter of the American Heart Association. Bobby was married to actress Sandra Dee from 1960-1967. They had one son, Dodd, born in December 1961. As a result of complications from a rheumatic heart, Bobby's life was tragically cut short in 1973.
Darin's mother, Vanina Cassotto, had given birth to him when she was 16, and as a result, her parents raised Darin as though he were their son while Vanina was presented off as his elder sister. Darin did not learn the truth about his parentage until he was 32.
For more on Bobby Darin, watch "Beyond the Sea," in which Kevin Spacey portrays the entertainer.
Not for Me
Bobby Darin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But not for me
Church bells are being rung
But not for me
I am without love
But I don't doubt love can be
Warm and tender for some
Poems are being read
But not for me
Prayers are being said
But not for me
I've never known love
Or been shown love, you see
And maybe there is such a thing
But not for me
So let all of your singers sing
But not for me
And let all of your church bells ring
But not for me
And if tomorrow
All your sorrows should be
Just like mine then you cry
But not for me
No, not me
Never for me
Bobby Darin's song Not for Me expresses the feeling of being alone and unloved, while witnessing the celebration of love around oneself. The opening lines of the song, "Ballads are being sung, But not for me; Church bells are being rung, But not for me," set the tone by stating that while love is being celebrated, the singer is not included in that celebration.
The second verse continues with "I am without love, But I don't doubt love can be, Warm and tender for some, But not for me." This line suggests that the singer has not yet experienced the warmth and tenderness of love that others seem to have found. The line "Poems are being read, But not for me" mirrors the first lines of the song and highlights the continued exclusion of the singer from love's celebration.
In the final verse, the singer acknowledges that maybe love does exist, but it's not for them. The lines "And if tomorrow, All your sorrows should be, Just like mine then you cry, But not for me, No, not me, Never for me" express the loneliness and isolation felt by the singer, even if others were to experience the same feelings.
Overall, Not for Me is a melancholic reflection on the experience of being left out of love and the joy that comes with it, while surrounded by others who have found it.
Line by Line Meaning
Ballads are being sung
Romantic songs are being composed and sung
But not for me
But none of them depict my life or feelings
Church bells are being rung
Churches' bells are being chimed
But not for me
But I am not getting married or experiencing a deliverance
I am without love
I do not have anyone in my life to love
But I don't doubt love can be
But I believe that love exists and can happen
Warm and tender for some
Love can be affectionate and caring for some people
But not for me
But it is not the case for me
Poems are being read
Poetry is being written and recited
But not for me
But I don't hear any poems that depict my story
Prayers are being said
People are speaking to their god and asking for favors
But not for me
But I do not have any petitions to make
I've never known love
I have never experienced love in my life
Or been shown love, you see
Or have been given love by anyone
And maybe there is such a thing
And I believe that love can exist
But not for me
But I have not found it and experienced it yet
So let all of your singers sing
Let people express themselves through songs and music
But not for me
But their songs do not apply to me
And let all of your church bells ring
Let churches keep ringing their bells for their occasions
But not for me
But I am not included in those circumstances
And if tomorrow
And if some day
All your sorrows should be
All your emotional pain and grief
Just like mine then you cry
Becomes similar to mine, then you will understand my loneliness and sadness
But not for me
But my situation wouldn't change
No, not me
Not me, I will still be left out
Never for me
I will never have love and happiness in my life
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOBBY DARIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@H0TCHEEF0S
Ballads are being sung
But not for me
Church bells are being rung
But not for me
I am without love
But I don't doubt love can be
Warm and tender for some
But not for me
Poems are being read
But not for me
Prayers are being said
But not for me
I've never known love
Or been shown love, you see
And maybe there is such a thing
But not for me
So let all of your singers sing
But not for me
And let all of your church bells ring
But not for me
And if tomorrow
All your sorrows should be
Just like mine then you cry
But not for me
No, not me
Never for me
@conradocrespo3713
LETRAS
ESCUCHAR
TAMBIÉN SE BUSCÓ
1 de 4
2 de 4
Ballads are being sung
But not for me
Church bells are being rung
But not for me
I am without love
But I don't doubt love can be
Warm and tender for some
But not for me
Poems are being read
But not for me
Prayers are being said
But not for me
I've never known love
Or been shown love, you see
And maybe there is such a thing
But not for me
So let all of your singers sing
But not for me
And let all of your church bells ring
But not for me
And if tomorrow
All your sorrows should be
Just like mine then you cry
But not for me
No, not me
Never for me
@marcochan4645
Ballads are being sung
But not for me
Church bells are being rung
But not for me
I am without love
But I don't doubt love can be
Warm and tender for some
But not for me
Poems are being read
But not for me
Prayers are being said
But not for me
I've never known love
Or been shown love, you see
And maybe there is such a thing
But not for me
So let all of your singers sing
But not for me
And let all of your church bells ring
But not for me
And if tomorrow
All your sorrows should be
Just like mine then you cry
But not for me
No, not me
Never for me
@H0TCHEEF0S
Ballads are being sung
But not for me
Church bells are being rung
But not for me
I am without love
But I don't doubt love can be
Warm and tender for some
But not for me
Poems are being read
But not for me
Prayers are being said
But not for me
I've never known love
Or been shown love, you see
And maybe there is such a thing
But not for me
So let all of your singers sing
But not for me
And let all of your church bells ring
But not for me
And if tomorrow
All your sorrows should be
Just like mine then you cry
But not for me
No, not me
Never for me
@paigelamar7658
This song really speaks to me at this point in my life. Darin’s singing is always on point!
@BlueParadoxical
What a massive arrangement this song has. Such presence. I love it.
@agataf1320
I will never tire of listening to him. Darin forever.
@HawkeyeCharmer
What a fantastic Supernatural episode, from the cast to the story to the direction (an homage to Tarantino) and definitely this music!! Such a treat this episode <3
@5driedgrams
what episode?
@monicawinters8935
fivedriedgramsinsilence Season 12 episode 12.
@markosecap5402
I found this song by accident. Going thru old vinyls, and the old/new to me record player.. Love this song..
@markosecap5402
Still have it btw
@darrenjray
My favourite Bobby Darin song. Have loved it since it came out. My band do it. Glad to see it on YouTube and read the comments.