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.
But Not For Me
Diana Krall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never tell me dreams come true
Just try it, and I'll start a riot
Beatrice Fairfax, don't you dare
Ever tell me, he will care
I'm certain, it's the final curtain
From any cheerful Pollyannas
Who tell you Fate supplies a mate
It's all bananas
They're writing songs of love
But not for me
A lucky star's above
But not for me
With love to lead the way
I found more clouds of gray
Than any Russian play
Could guarantee
I was a fool to fall
And get that way
Hi-ho, alas
And also, lack-a-day
Although I can't dismiss
The memory of his kiss
I guess he's not for me
In these lyrics, Diana Krall describes her disillusionment with love and how she feels as though it is something that will never happen for her. She begins by calling out "Old man sunshine" and "Beatrice Fairfax," representing optimism and advice-givers, and expressing her skepticism towards their views on love. She notes that she would rather not hear from any "cheerful Pollyannas," who insist that fate will bring her a mate. She believes that these notions and songs about love are nothing more than baloney, and she begins to feel hopeless about the possibility of love actually coming her way.
Krall emphasizes this negativity through her repetition of the phrase "But not for me." She recognizes that others may have been fortunate enough to find their soulmates, as she acknowledges a "lucky star above," but she cannot say the same for herself. Instead, she has experienced more clouds of grey than anyone, with memories of failed connections that serve only to worsen her frustration. She reflects in regret that she was foolish to have ever fallen in love in the first place, as it has only led to disappointment. Despite this, she cannot forget the memory of his kiss, and even though she knows that he is not the one for her, she is still longing for love, hoping that one day she will stumble upon that something special.
Overall, these lyrics convey a great sense of heartbreak and unrequited love, capturing the feelings of all those who have ever felt the same way. It is a bittersweet reminder of the fickleness and cruelty of love, and the human determination to keep looking for it even in the face of disappointment.
Line by Line Meaning
Old man sunshine, listen you
I don't believe in luck or fate, and I don't want to hear about it.
Never tell me dreams come true
I am skeptical about anything that sounds too good to be true, so don't bother telling me your fantasies.
Just try it, and I'll start a riot
If you try to convince me otherwise, I will protest and resist your claims.
Beatrice Fairfax, don't you dare
I don't trust advice from anyone, especially not those who claim to be experts like Beatrice Fairfax.
Ever tell me, he will care
I am aware that people often make empty promises, and I don't want to hear any more of them.
I'm certain, it's the final curtain
I have already made up my mind about this situation, and I don't see any reason to change my opinion.
I never wanna hear
I am tired of hearing cliches and platitudes from Pollyannas who act too cheerful.
From any cheerful Pollyanna
I find it annoying when people try to be overly optimistic or dismiss my concerns without understanding my situation.
Who tell you Fate supplies a mate
I don't believe that predestination controls our romantic destiny, and I think it's foolish to rely on it.
It's all bananas
I think that idea is ridiculous or crazy, and I'm not convinced by your arguments.
They're writing songs of love
Many people focus on the joys of romance and idealize it in song lyrics and other works of art.
But not for me
However, I don't feel the same way about love and I don't think it's attainable for me personally.
A lucky star's above
Some people believe that fate or destiny favors certain individuals and gives them an advantage in life.
But not for me
However, I don't believe that stars or luck can influence my love life or make me happier.
With love to lead the way
Even when I have been in love, it has not brought me the happiness or fulfillment that other people describe or expect.
I found more clouds of gray
In fact, I have often been disappointed or hurt by love, and it has only made my life more difficult and depressing.
Than any Russian play
My experiences with love have been worse than any tragic story in a play or novel, including those from Russia with a reputation for bleakness.
Could guarantee
While works of literature often seem to offer wisdom or insight into life's struggles, I don't think they can provide real answers or solutions to my problems.
I was a fool to fall
Reflecting on my past relationships, I now realize that I was foolish to invest so much time and emotion into them, since they did not lead to lasting happiness.
And get that way
I regret being so vulnerable and needy in those relationships, and I wish I had been more independent and self-sufficient instead.
Hi-ho, alas
I express my disappointment or resignation with a sigh, acknowledging that my romantic hopes have been dashed once again.
And also, lack-a-day
I express my sadness or pity for myself, feeling that I have been unlucky or cursed in love.
Although I can't dismiss
Despite my negative experiences with love, I cannot deny or forget the positive feelings or memories that I have had with certain individuals.
The memory of his kiss
I recall the physical and emotional sensations that I experienced in a past romantic encounter, and I still feel some attraction or affection for that person.
I guess he's not for me
However, I accept that we are not meant to be together, and that any further pursuit of that relationship would be fruitless or harmful.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ace of Hearts
Love her voice.! The most beautiful and best contralto ever!
Ángel Afonso
Estimulante interpretación. La vida es menos dura con Tony y Diana
Hamilton Gonçalves
Perfeito, ótima dupla. Aproveitem esse momento maravilhoso. A vida passa depressa demais, com vocês, o tempo anda bem suave...o relógio, fica em seu refúgio, apreciando o momento.
Jasper Gem
Yes bravo, I think!
Level 0 To 99
Muito bom!
ノラネコみたいに
かっこよすぎる…
歌詞の哀しさとハスキーな声、ピアノがマッチしてとっても素敵です
失恋してないのに胸が締め付けられるような心地です
Camilo Orozco García Mayorca
Tu me das música para sentir la vida,eres la banda sonora de mi día,Gracias Diana
Wolfgang Helming
It’s sounds smooth and in the same time cool, great voice
Jasper Gem
If I were Elvis, I'd be there to "take care of" my Diana!
María de Orozco
Diana, yesterday, I found this master piece. Congratulations, and thank you for this gift. Now is our new favourite CD. From Argentina, bless you!