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.
Things
Bobby Darin Lyrics
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Starin' at the lonely avenue (avenue)
Watching lovers holdin' hands 'n' laughin' (laughin')
And thinkin' 'bout the things we used to do
(Thinkin' of things) like a walk in the park
(Things) like a kiss in the dark
(Things) like a sailboat ride (yeah-yeah)What about the night we cried?
Things like a lover's vow
Things that we don't do now
Thinkin' 'bout the things we used to do
Memories are all I have to cling to (cling to)
And heartaches are the friends I'm talkin' to (talkin' to)
When I'm not thinkin' of-a just how much I loved you (love you)
Well, I'm-a thinkin' 'bout the things we used to do
(Thinkin' of things) like a walk in the park
(Things) like a kiss in the dark
(Things) like a sailboat ride (yeah-yeah)
What about the night we cried?
Things like a lover's vow
Things that we don't do now
Thinkin' 'bout the things we used to do
I still can hear the jukebox softly playin' (playin')
And the face I see each day belongs to you (belongs to you)
Though there's not a single sound and there's nobody else around
Well, it's just me thinkin' of the things we used to do
(Thinkin' of things) like a walk in the park
(Things) like a kiss in the dark
(Things) like a sailboat ride (yeah-yeah)
Things like a lover's vow
Things that we don't do now
Thinkin' 'bout the things we used to do
And the heartaches are the friends I'm talkin' to
Ya got me thinkin' 'bout the things we used to do
Starin' at the lonely avenue
The lyrics to Bobby Darin's song "Things" are about a heartbroken individual who sits alone by their window every night thinking about their lost love. They watch other couples holding hands and laughing while reminiscing about the things they used to do with their ex. The person remembers romantic activities such as walks in the park, kisses in the dark, and sailboat rides, but also recalls the night they cried together and the promises of love they made back then. They miss those moments and are left with memories and heartaches.
The lyrics of the song evoke a sense of nostalgia, heartbreak, and longing for the past. The second verse reveals how the memories are all that the person has left to cling onto, and the heartaches are their only companions. They recall how much they loved someone who is no longer with them and how everything around them, even the soft jukebox music, reminds them of their lost love.
In "Things," Bobby Darin's poetic and simple lyrics resonate with anyone who has gone through the pain of lost love. With its smooth melody and Darin's smooth voice, "Things" became a popular hit and has remained a beloved classic for over six decades.
Line by Line Meaning
Ev'ry night I sit here by my window (window)
Every night, I sit alone by my window.
Starin' at the lonely avenue (avenue)
I gaze out at the empty street below.
Watching lovers holdin' hands 'n' laughin' (laughin')
I observe happy couples holding hands and laughing together.
And thinkin' 'bout the things we used to do
And reminiscing about the happy times we shared.
(Thinkin' of things) like a walk in the park
(Thinking of things) such as strolls in the park.
(Things) like a kiss in the dark
(Things) such as tender kisses in the night.
(Things) like a sailboat ride (yeah-yeah)
(Things) such as sailing together on calm waters.
What about the night we cried?
Remembering the night we shed tears together.
Things like a lover's vow
Thinking about promises of love we made.
Things that we don't do now
Recalling things we no longer do together.
Memories are all I have to cling to (cling to)
My only solace are memories that I hold on to.
And heartaches are the friends I'm talkin' to (talkin' to)
My constant companions are my heartaches.
When I'm not thinkin' of-a just how much I loved you (love you)
When I'm not lost in thoughts of how deeply I loved you.
I still can hear the jukebox softly playin' (playin')
I can still hear a faint melody from the jukebox.
And the face I see each day belongs to you (belongs to you)
And the only face I see every day is yours.
Though there's not a single sound and there's nobody else around
Although there is silence and no one else is here.
Well, it's just me thinkin' of the things we used to do
It's just me, lost in thought about our past.
And the heartaches are the friends I'm talkin' to
And my heartaches are still my only companions.
Ya got me thinkin' 'bout the things we used to do
You've got me reminiscing about our past.
Starin' at the lonely avenue
Still staring down at the empty street.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bobby Darin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Judee Weinstein
on The Curtain Falls
Bobby Darin DID NOT write the song. My late father, Sol Weinstein did. Darin liked this song and asked my dad if he could use it in his act. Please correct this.
Daniel
on Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home
One heck of a entertainer. A life cut way to soon. RIP Mr. Darin. Remember one thing he was one of the first Emmy winners, in the late 50s. When the emmys started.