Her playing attracted the attention of bass player Ray Brown, who brought her into touch with influential teachers and producers. At the age of seventeen, she won a scholarship from the Vancouver Jazz Festival to study at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. After three terms she moved to Los Angeles to study with Jimmy Rowles, with whom she also began to sing. In 1990, Krall relocated to New York. She is married to British musician Elvis Costello.
A Case Of You
Diana Krall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"I am as constant as a northern star."
And I said, "Constantly in the darkness
Where's that at?
If you want me I'll be in the bar."
On the back of a cartoon coaster
In the blue TV screen light
I drew a map of Canada
With your face sketched on it twice
Oh, you're in my blood like holy wine
You taste so bitter and so sweet
Oh I could drink a case of you, darling
And I would still be on my feet
Oh I would still be on my feet
Oh I am a lonely painter
I live in a box of paints
I'm frightened by the devil
And I'm drawn to those ones that ain't afraid
I remember that time you told me, you said,
"Love is touching souls"
Surely you touched mine
'Cause part of you pours out of me
In these lines from time to time
Oh, you're in my blood like holy wine
You taste so bitter and so sweet
Oh I could drink a case of you, darling
Still, I'd be on my feet
I would still be on my feet
I met a woman
She had a mouth like yours
She knew your life
She knew your devils and your deeds
And she said,
"Go to him, stay with him if you can
But be prepared to bleed"
Oh but you are in my blood
You're my holy wine
You're so bitter, bitter and so sweet
Oh, I could drink a case of you, darling
Still I'd be on my feet
I would still be on my feet
The song "A Case of You" by Diana Krall is a hauntingly beautiful and poetic love song. The lyrics describe a past relationship that the singer is still deeply connected to. In the first verse, the singer recalls a conversation with their lover where the lover said they were "constant as a northern star." The singer then responds, "Constantly in the darkness, where's that at? If you want me I'll be in the bar." This could be interpreted as the singer feeling lost and unsure about the relationship despite their lover's assurance of constancy.
The second verse reveals more about the singer's character and their memories of the relationship. They describe themselves as a "lonely painter" who is drawn to those who aren't afraid, and recounts a conversation with their lover about the meaning of love. The lyrics "Surely you touched mine, 'Cause part of you pours out of me, In these lines from time to time" suggest that the singer finds solace in expressing their feelings through art and that their lover continues to influence and inspire them.
The chorus repeats the metaphor of the lover being in the singer's blood like "holy wine" and describes their love as both bitter and sweet. The final verse adds another layer to the relationship as the singer describes meeting another woman who knows their lover intimately and advises them to be prepared for pain. Despite this warning, the singer remains deeply connected to their lover and would still be standing after drinking a case of them.
Overall, "A Case of You" paints a picture of a relationship that is full of passion and pain but remains unforgettable and enduring.
Line by Line Meaning
Just before our love got lost you said,
"I am as constant as a northern star."
And I said, "Constantly in the darkness
Where's that at?
If you want me I'll be in the bar."
You said you would never leave me, but I know better. I can't take your dizzying emotions anymore, so I'm leaving. If you need me, I'll be drowning my sorrows in alcohol.
On the back of a cartoon coaster
In the blue TV screen light
I drew a map of Canada
Oh Canada
With your face sketched on it twice
I made a drawing of Canada and your face twice while sitting and drinking alone, watching the TV in this unfamiliar bar.
Oh, you're in my blood like holy wine
You taste so bitter and so sweet
Oh I could drink a case of you, darling
And I would still be on my feet
Oh I would still be on my feet
I'm addicted to you. You're my sweet poison, and I could consume so much of you, yet still not stagger.
Oh I am a lonely painter
I live in a box of paints
I'm frightened by the devil
And I'm drawn to those ones that ain't afraid
I'm just a painter living alone and isolated. I find myself drawn to people who aren't afraid to face the devil.
I remember that time you told me, you said,
"Love is touching souls"
Surely you touched mine
'Cause part of you pours out of me
In these lines from time to time
I remember when you told me that love touches people's souls. You touched mine, and I feel part of you pouring out through my art.
I met a woman
She had a mouth like yours
She knew your life
She knew your devils and your deeds
And she said,
"Go to him, stay with him if you can
But be prepared to bleed"
I met a woman who reminded me of you. She knew everything about you; your past, your misdeeds, and your struggles. She advised me to go back to you, but warned me that it would be tough.
Oh but you are in my blood
You're my holy wine
You're so bitter, bitter and so sweet
Oh, I could drink a case of you, darling
Still I'd be on my feet
I would still be on my feet
You're still a part of me. You're the sweetest and most bitter thing that has ever happened to me. I could go through many cases of you, but I know I could handle it because I'm still strong enough to stand.
Lyrics © Crazy Crow Music / Siquomb Music Publishing, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Joni Mitchell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Donald H West
Love Diana and this version. I added the lyrics so everyone can follow along. Some singers take a lot of liberty with the lyrics and slur etc. With this song you have to hear the lyrics because every word is vital to the story. Especially with Joni Mitchell songs. Sinatra used to say he loved a lot of the boomer music but couldn't understand the lyrics. Being such a great story teller that was very important to him. I agree with him that you sing to serve the song and then add stylistically. Not a criticsm but an observation.... A Case of You
Joni Mitchell
Just before our love got lost you said
I am as constant as a northern star and I said,
Constantly in the darkness
Where's that at?
If you want me I'll be in the bar
On the back of a cartoon coaster
In the blue TV screen light
I drew a map of Canada
Oh Canada
With your face sketched on it twice
Oh you are in my blood like holy wine
You taste so bitter
And so sweet oh
I could drink a case of you darling and I would
Still be on my feet
Oh I would still be on my feet
Oh I am a lonely painter
I live in a box of paints
I'm frightened by the devil
And I'm drawn to those ones that ain't afraid
I remember that time that you told me, you said
"Love is touching souls"
Surely you touched mine 'cause
Part of you pours out of me
In these lines from time to time
Oh you are in my blood like holy wine
You taste so bitter
And so sweet oh
I could drink a case of you darling
Still I'd be on my feet
I would still be on my feet
I met a woman
She had a mouth like yours, she knew your life
She knew your devils and your deeds and she said
"Go to him
stay with him if you can
But be prepared to bleed"
Oh but you are in my blood you're my holy wine
You're so bitter
bitter and so sweet oh
I could drink a case of you darling
Still I'd be on my feet
I would still be on my feet
hmm
Songwriters: Joni Mitchell
Scott Sater
Her choice of tempo...the artistic "risks" of silence mingled with expression...delicate piano touch...holding these five thousand in the palm of her hand, with dynamics the size of a marble...her voice and heart larger than the universe. Diana Krall is an exquisite artist, musician, and air painter. I am entranced when she sings this song in Paris. SO thankful she exists!
Nancy Kane
So agree. . Your description of how Diana carries this beautiful song 🎵 in the air/ear 🎉 waves is exquisitely described ❤
Ridie Ghezzi
I have listened to this song of Joni Mitchell's for over 40 years but when I heard this version by Diana Krall I heard things I had never heard before. A perfect song made more perfect.
Megan Rhodes
Exactly ahe is so talented ❤
Randy Shinn
Wow. Who could think anyone could perform this song better than Joni? And live. A masterpiece. Astounding. Such emotion.
Chad Erickson
One of the great songs ever. Truly a spectacular performance of it. The perfect example of what a pure vocal performance and piano are capable of.
Bob Kirkendale
I could drink a case of you and still be on my feet is quite simply genius. The idea that one can get drunk from someone else's love but still be sober enough to truly see who that person is with all their imperfections.
Diane Lee
Joni Mitchell is a genius beautifully interpreted by Ms Krall. The album “Blue” where this song first appeared is 50 years old this year. Solid Gold Joni. 💜😷
Kathy Stephens
Great interpretation of the meaning.
Zenarcher
She’s going to make me cry. The artistry. The way she says “darling”.
a brilliant heart stopping interpretation. ❤️