Yesterdays
Buddy Rich & Max Roach Lyrics
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All my troubles seemed so far away,
Now it looks as though they're here to stay,
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
Suddenly,
I'm not half the man I used to be,
There's a shadow hanging over me,
Why she
Had to go I don't know, she wouldn't say.
I said,
Something wrong, now I long for yesterday.
Yesterday,
Love was such an easy game to play,
Now I need a place to hide away,
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
Why she
Had to go I don't know, she wouldn't say.
I said,
Something wrong, now I long for yesterday.
Yesterday,
Love was such an easy game to play,
Now I need a place to hide away,
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
Mm-mm-mm-mm-mm-mm-mm.
The lyrics for Buddy Rich & Max Roach's song "Yesterday's" are a poignant reflection on loss, heartbreak, and the longing for simpler times. The first two lines set the tone for the rest of the song, as the singer laments that all his troubles once seemed so far away, but now they're here to stay. The repetition of the opening line emphasizes the singer's sense of hopelessness and resignation to his current state.
The second verse continues this theme, with the singer stating that he's not half the man he used to be, and there's a shadow hanging over him. The suddenness of yesterday's arrival is emphasized, reminding us of the suddenness of change and loss. The third verse provides some context for the singer's pain, as he grapples with the loss of a loved one. The repetition of the line "Why she had to go I don't know, she wouldn't say" emphasizes the sense of confusion and helplessness that often accompanies grief.
The chorus provides a counterpoint to the verses, suggesting that yesterday was a time when love was an easy game to play and the singer was able to hide away from his troubles. The repetition of the line "Oh, I believe in yesterday" emphasizes the singer's longing for the past and his belief that things can be better. The final "Mm-mm-mm" serves as a vocalization of the singer's grief, underscoring the emotional weight of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Yesterday,
Referring to a past where things were much simpler and easier.
All my troubles seemed so far away,
Everything that was problematic or difficult to handle seemed to be easily resolved in the past.
Now it looks as though they're here to stay,
The problems from the past seem to persist in the present.
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
The past is the ideal place to be, and holds all the solutions to the present issues.
Suddenly,
All of a sudden.
I'm not half the man I used to be,
The singer is less capable or less confident than before.
There's a shadow hanging over me,
There is an ominous feeling of sadness or uncertainty clouding their present life.
Oh, yesterday came suddenly.
The transition from the ideal past to the uncertain present felt abrupt or unexpected.
Why she
The artist is lamenting and wondering about someone in their past.
Had to go I don't know, she wouldn't say.
The individual in question left abruptly without clear communication, leaving the artist feeling lost.
I said,
The singer attempted to communicate with the person who left, but received no clear response.
Something wrong, now I long for yesterday.
The artist is looking for a simpler time in the past when everything was less complicated and less stressful.
Yesterday,
Referring again to the previous ideal past.
Love was such an easy game to play,
Being in love or loving someone was much less complicated and less troubled in the past.
Now I need a place to hide away,
The singer is looking for a way to escape from the problems or stressors in their present life.
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
The past is seen as a way to escape from or solve the present issues.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DEBELAH L MORGAN, VASSALL GRADINGTON BENFORD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind