What's New?
Cannonball Adderley Lyrics


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What's new?
How is the world treating you?
You haven't changed a bit
Lovely as ever, I must admit

What's new?
How did that romance come through?
We haven't met since then
Gee, but it's nice to see you again

What's new?
Probably I'm boring you
But seeing you is grand
And you were sweet to offer your hand

I understand. Adieu!
Pardon my asking what's new
Of course you couldn't know
I haven't changed, I still love you so

Gee, but it's nice to see you again

What's new?
Probably I'm boring you
But seeing you is so grand
And you were sweet to offer your hand

I understand. Adieu!
Pardon my asking what's new




Of course you couldn't know
I haven't changed, I still love you so

Overall Meaning

In Cannonball Adderley's "What's New?" the singer is having a conversation with a former lover they haven't seen in a while. The singer is clearly still in love with the person, as they find them "lovely as ever," but the relationship has fizzled out and they're catching up as old friends. The song is filled with small talk, asking about the other person's current life and telling them about their own, but the underlying affection between the two is palpable.


The repeated question of "What's new?" is used as a flimsy excuse to keep the conversation going, as the singer admits that they're probably boring the other person with their small talk. The repeated acknowledgement of their unchanged feelings towards the former lover comes across as both sweet and sad, as they understand that they can't rekindle what they once had. The final line, "I still love you so," is delivered with a melancholic sincerity, acknowledging the raw emotions that are still present despite the time and distance that have passed.


Line by Line Meaning

What's new?
What's been happening in your life since we last met?


How is the world treating you?
How have you been doing? Have things been going well for you?


You haven't changed a bit
You still look and sound just as wonderful as you did before.


Lovely as ever, I must admit
You are just as beautiful and charming as ever, and I find myself admiring you once again.


How did that romance come through?
What happened with that romantic relationship you were involved in the last time we spoke?


We haven't met since then
It's been a while since we last saw each other and caught up.


Gee, but it's nice to see you again
I am genuinely happy to see you again after so long.


Probably I'm boring you
I'm sorry if I'm not being stimulating enough in conversation.


But seeing you is grand
Despite the potential for boredom, just being in your company is wonderful.


And you were sweet to offer your hand
Thank you for being kind and friendly towards me.


I understand. Adieu!
I acknowledge that it's time for me to go. Goodbye!


Pardon my asking what's new
Sorry if it seems like I'm trying to pry into your life too much.


Of course you couldn't know
It's not your fault that you don't know what's been happening in my life.


I haven't changed, I still love you so
Despite the passage of time and distance between us, my feelings for you remain unchanged.




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHNNY BURKE, BOB HAGGART

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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