Undecided
Buck Clayton And His All-Stars Lyrics

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First you say you will
And then you won't
And then you say you do
And then you don't
You're undecided now
So what are you gonna do?

First you want to play

And then it's no
And when you say you'll stay
That's when you go
You're undecided now
So what are you gonna do?

I've been sitting on a fence
And it doesn't make much sense
You keep me in suspense
And you know it
Then you promise to return
When you don't
I really burn
I guess I'll never learn
And I show it

If you've got a heart
And if you're kind
Then don't keep us apart
Make up your mind
You're undecided now
So what are you gonna do?

I've been sitting on a fence
And it doesn't make much sense
You keep me in suspense
And know it
You promise to return
And when you don't
I really burn
I guess I'll never learn
And I show it

If you've got a heart
And if you're kind
Then don't keep us apart
Make up your mind

You're undecided now
So what are you gonna do?

Overall Meaning

The song "Undecided" by Buck Clayton and His All-Stars features lyrics that speak to the frustration and confusion of being involved with someone who cannot make up their mind. The repetitiveness of the lyrics adds to the feeling of being stuck in a cycle of uncertainty. The singer addresses the person they are involved with, expressing their own feelings of being kept in suspense and stuck in a state of not knowing what to do. They also plead with the person to make a decision, citing the pain caused by constantly being told one thing and then having it taken away.

There is an interesting contrast in the use of the phrase "you're undecided now" throughout the song. It serves as a reminder to the person in question that their inaction is creating confusion and heartache. However, it can also be interpreted as a bit of a challenge - almost daring the person to take action one way or another. In either case, the lyrics express frustration and a desire for resolution.

One of the intriguing things about "Undecided" is the number of artists who have covered the song over the years. While Buck Clayton and His All-Stars were the first to record it in 1939, it has since been covered by everyone from Ella Fitzgerald to The Ames Brothers to Amy Winehouse. The song has even been featured in various TV shows and films, including Woody Allen's "Manhattan Murder Mystery" and the animated film "Balto."

Overall, the simple yet catchy lyrics of "Undecided" capture a common experience of human emotions in a relatable and memorable way.

Line by Line Meaning

First you say you will
You state your intention

And then you won't
But then you retract it

And then you say you do
And later you affirm it again

And then you don't
But shortly afterwards, you deny it once more

You're undecided now
So you remain indecisive at present

So what are you gonna do?
What action will you take?

First you want to play
Initially you're eager to participate

And then it's no
But soon after, you're no longer interested

And when you say you'll stay
Occasionally you declare that you'll remain

That's when you go
But soon you depart despite promising otherwise