Brubeck's style ranged from refined to bombastic, reflecting his mother's attempts at classical training and his improvisational skills. Much of his music employed unusual time signatures, a fact jokingly referred to by his greatest hits album 'Time Signatures: A Career Retrospective'. Upon his death, a number of commentators noted his crossover appeal to mainstream pop audiences, something putting him in the company of other jazz legends such as Louis Armstrong and Herbie Hancock among others.
One for the Kids
Dave Brubeck Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Over things you said to me; I couldn't even sleep
You forgot your promises, every single vow
All you did was laugh at me, but things are different now
I cried for you; now it's your turn to cry over me
Every road has a turning
That's one thing you're learning
Now I found two eyes just a little bit bluer
I found a heart just a little bit truer
I cried for you; now it's your turn to cry over me
How can I forget the hours that I worried through
Wondering the live long day just what next thing to do?
In those days you never thought anything of me
But the slave that was all yours and now at last is free
I cried for you; now it's your turn to cry over me
Every road has a turning
That's one thing you're learning
I cried for you; what a fool I used to be
Now I found two eyes just a little bit bluer
I found a heart just a little bit truer
I cried for you; now it's your turn to cry over me
The lyrics of For You by Dave Brubeck tell the story of a relationship that has gone sour, with one person breaking promises and laughing at the other's feelings. The singer remembers how they used to weep over the hurtful things that were said, unable to sleep at night. However, the tables have turned and now the person who caused the pain is the one crying, learning that every road has a turning. The singer has found someone else, with eyes a little bluer and a heart a little truer, and is no longer the slave of their past lover. They have cried for them, but now it is their turn to cry over the singer.
The song conveys a message of empowerment and moving on from a toxic relationship. It depicts the journey from crying and being hurt to finding liberation and joy in a new love. The turning of the tables represents justice and a sense of closure, as the person who caused the pain experiences the same emotions that were once inflicted upon the singer. Overall, the lyrics are introspective and convey a sense of self-discovery and growth.
Line by Line Meaning
I remember other days how I used to weep
I recall the past when I would cry
Over things you said to me; I couldn't even sleep
I cried because of the hurtful things you said that kept me up at night
You forgot your promises, every single vow
You broke all your promises and abandoned every vow you made to me
All you did was laugh at me, but things are different now
You used to mock me, but the tables have turned
I cried for you; now it's your turn to cry over me
I wept for you, but now it's your time to weep for me
Every road has a turning
Life is unpredictable with twists and turns
That's one thing you're learning
It's a lesson you're now experiencing
I cried for you; what a fool I used to be
I was foolish for crying for you
Now I found two eyes just a little bit bluer
Now I've found someone with prettier eyes
I found a heart just a little bit truer
I've found someone with a more loyal heart
How can I forget the hours that I worried through
I can't erase the memory of the countless hours I spent worrying
Wondering the live long day just what next thing to do?
Thinking all day about what to do next
In those days you never thought anything of me
In the past, you never valued me
But the slave that was all yours and now at last is free
I was your slave, but now I'm finally free
I cried for you; now it's your turn to cry over me
I wept for you, now it's your turn to weep for me
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Gus Arnheim, Arthur Freed, Abe Lyman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind