Brown was born in Mississippi and sang in church as a child. In 1919 her family moved to Chicago and she began studying piano; in the 1920s she began taking gigs in clubs and broadcasted on radio. From the 1930s to the 1950s she toured the United States regularly, recording for Decca Records (among other labels) along the way and recording many humorous, ironic titles such as "Your Feet's Too Big", "Mama Don't Want No Peas and Rice and Coconut Oil" and "The Stuff Is Here and it's Mellow". Her stride piano playing was often compared to Fats Waller.
In the 1940s Brown began to shy from singing bawdy blues songs because of deepening religious beliefs, and in 1953 she retired and became a nurse. She was rediscovered in the 1980s after being tracked down by Marian McPartland; she returned to record again and performed on National Public Radio. She died in 1995 in Denver, Colorado.
Some of Brown's earliest recordings have been reissued by Document Records.
Give A Broken Heart A Break
Cleo Brown Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm right in my cup,
I'm not myself tonight;
It's an awful curse when you have to nurse
A pair of sore pups,
Otherwise, everything's all right.
All dressed up, marcel and everything,
Here am I, breakin' in a pair of shoesies.
I've got the date with someone I adore,
Now I'm late; I know he's good and sore,
Here am I, breakin' in a new pair of shoesies.
Some hot band will soon be deliverin', givin' out music that's mad,
Should I dance? Take a chance?
Ouch, my tootsies!
I don't know, feet may be breaking down, even so,
I've got to go to town,
Here goes breakin' in a pair of shoes!
All dressed up, marcel and everything,
Pressed up, all set to have my fling,
Here am I, breakin' in a pair of shoesies.
I've got the date with someone I adore,
Now I'm late; and I know he's good an dsore,
Here am I, breakin' in a pair of shoesies.
Ah, some hot band will soon be deliverin', givin' out music that's mad,
Should I dance? Take a chance?
Ouch, my tootsies!
I don't know, my feet may be breaking down,
Even so, I've got to go to town,
Here goes breakin' in a pair of shoes!
The song "Give A Broken Heart A Break" by Cleo Brown tells the story of a woman who is getting ready for a night out on the town. She is excited to go out with someone she adores, but is experiencing some pain in her feet from breaking in a new pair of shoes. Despite the discomfort, she is determined to go out and have a good time.
The lyrics capture the feeling of anticipation and nervousness that can come with going out on a date, but also the determination to make the best of a situation, even if there are some difficulties or obstacles to overcome. The use of humor in the lyrics, with lines like "breakin' in a pair of shoesies" and "a pair of sore pups," adds a lightheartedness and playfulness to the song.
Overall, "Give A Broken Heart A Break" is a fun and upbeat song that captures the excitement and challenges of going out on the town.
Line by Line Meaning
Take a look at me, tell me, can't you see, I'm right in my cup, I'm not myself tonight;
I am under the influence of alcohol and not feeling like myself.
It's an awful curse when you have to nurse a pair of sore pups, Otherwise, everything's all right.
It is difficult to deal with painful feet, but otherwise I am doing well.
All dressed up, marcel and everything, All pressed up, all set to have my fling, Here am I, breakin' in a pair of shoesies.
I am wearing my best clothes and ready to enjoy myself, despite the discomfort of breaking in new shoes.
I've got the date with someone I adore, Now I'm late; I know he's good and sore, Here am I, breakin' in a new pair of shoesies.
I am running late for a date with someone I really like, and I hope they won't be mad at me for keeping them waiting.
Some hot band will soon be deliverin', givin' out music that's mad, Should I dance? Take a chance? Ouch, my tootsies!
I am excited to hear the great music that will be played, but I am unsure if I should dance due to the pain in my feet.
I don't know, feet may be breaking down, even so, I've got to go to town, Here goes breakin' in a pair of shoes!
Despite the possibility of my feet getting worse, I am determined to enjoy myself and keep going in my new shoes.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: DAVE FRANKLIN, ISHAM JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind