Undecided
Chick Webb & Ella Fitzgerald Lyrics
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And then you don't
And then you say you will
And then you won't
You're undecided now
So what are you gonna do?
Now you want to play
And then it's no
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
'Cause you keep me in suspense
And you know it
Then you promise to return
When you don't
I really burn
Well, 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?
Chick Webb's song Undecided is a classic jazz tune that deals with the theme of indecision in romantic relationships. The song begins with the lyrics "First you say you do, and then you don't. And then you say you will, and then you won't. You're undecided now, so what are you gonna do?" This sets the tone for the rest of the song, which is all about the confusion and frustration of not knowing where a relationship stands.
The singer's frustration becomes clear as he sings about how the person he's singing to seems to change their mind constantly. They want to play, then they don't. They say they'll stay, then they leave. The singer feels like he's been sitting on a fence, waiting for the other person to make up their mind. He expresses the feeling of being kept in suspense, which is painful and frustrating.
The chorus of the song is a plea to the other person to make a decision. The singer asks them to "Make up your mind", saying that if they have a heart and are kind, they should not keep them apart. The chorus is repeated several times throughout the song, emphasizing the main theme of the song which is the singer's desire for clarity.
Overall, the song is a classic example of jazz music with lyrics that deal with a relatable human experience. The theme of indecision and uncertainty in romantic relationships is one that many people can relate to, and the song's catchy tune and lyrics make it a popular song even today.
Line by Line Meaning
First you say you do
At first, you claim that you will follow through with a certain action
And then you don't
Then, you go back on your word and don't do what you said you would
And then you say you will
Later on, you declare that you are going to do something after all
And then you won't
But then, you change your mind yet again and opt not to follow through
You're undecided now
At this point, you seem entirely unsure about what you really want to do
So what are you gonna do?
Given your conflicting statements and actions, what choice will you ultimately make?
Now you want to play
Just when it seemed like you had made a decision, now you seem to be taking things less seriously and treating the situation like a game
And then it's no
As soon as the stakes get higher or something is expected of you, you become apprehensive and back down
And when you say you'll stay
Even when you seem to commit, you can't be counted on to follow through
That's when you go
After promising to stick around, you end up bailing on your word
I've been sitting on a fence
From my position, I've been stuck in the middle and unable to take action or pick a side
And it doesn't make much sense
The situation is confusing and difficult to navigate
'Cause you keep me in suspense
You're keeping me on edge by continuing to flip-flop on your decisions
And you know it
You're conscious of your habitual indecisiveness
Then you promise to return
You make assurances that you will come back or follow through
When you don't
But when you fail to come through again, it's even more disappointing and frustrating
I really burn
Your actions ignite negative emotions within me
Well, I guess I'll never learn
I keep giving you the benefit of the doubt and hoping for change, but it seems like it'll never happen
And I show it
My feelings are plainly evident in my behavior and demeanor towards you
If you've got a heart
Assuming that you're a compassionate and empathetic person
And if you're kind
And that you possess the qualities of being generous and benevolent
Then don't keep us apart
If this is true, then don't allow your indecisiveness to complicate things and keep us from coming together
Make up your mind
Stop waffling and decide for certain what you want to do
You're undecided now
Once again, you are back to being uncertain and indecisive
So what are you gonna do?
What's it going to be this time around? Make a choice and stick to it.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHARLES SHAVERS, SYDNEY ROBIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Visayan Miss Nanny 2.0
Lyrics:
First, you say, you do
And then you don't
And then you say, you will
And then you won't
You're undecided now
So what are you gonna do?
Now 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
'Cause you keep me in suspense
And you know it
Then you promise to return
When you don't, I really burn
Well, 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?
(Interlude)
I've been sitting on a fence
And it doesn't make much sense
'Cause you keep me in suspense
And you know it
Then you promise to return
When you don't, I really burn
Well, 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?
Now if you don't love me
I wish you'd say so
I love you so much honey
I just got to know
I'm just a fool for you
What are you gonna do
Visayan Miss Nanny 2.0
Lyrics:
First, you say, you do
And then you don't
And then you say, you will
And then you won't
You're undecided now
So what are you gonna do?
Now 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
'Cause you keep me in suspense
And you know it
Then you promise to return
When you don't, I really burn
Well, 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?
(Interlude)
I've been sitting on a fence
And it doesn't make much sense
'Cause you keep me in suspense
And you know it
Then you promise to return
When you don't, I really burn
Well, 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?
Now if you don't love me
I wish you'd say so
I love you so much honey
I just got to know
I'm just a fool for you
What are you gonna do
Thewildpotato
I love this old music
Joshster 1939
Same here :)
James flynn
Me too
Jourwalis
Super sound quality from a 1939 record! Real Hi-Fi!
Jourwalis
Fantastic!
Taylor Bowie
Nice record...nice to see you!!!!
🌼mochawytch🌼
Awesomesauce 🌹🌹🌹🌹
Laurent James
Ella se décidera-t-elle : Chick Webb ou Louis Jordan ?
Christopher Gordon
What's not to love here?