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.
I've Grown Accustomed To His Face
Diana Krall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He almost makes the day begin
I've grown accustomed to the tune he whistles night and noon
His smiles, his frowns, his ups and downs
Are second nature to me now
Like breathing out and breathing in
I was serenely independent and content before we met
Surely I could always be that way again and yet
Accustomed to his face
He's second nature to me now
Like breathing out and breathing in
I'm very grateful he's a man and so easy to forget
Rather like a habit one can always break and yet
I've grown accustomed to the trace of something in the air
Accustomed to his face
The lyrics of "I've Grown Accustomed To His Face" by Diana Krall expresses the feeling of being in love and how it gradually becomes a part of one's life. The singer has become so used to her partner's presence in her daily routine that she can't imagine going back to her old, independent ways. The lyrics showcase how her partner has become her constant companion and how his habits and moods have become second nature to her.
The lyrics "I was serenely independent and content before we met, surely I could always be that way again" indicate that there was a time when the singer was happy and self-sufficient without a partner. However, the song suggests that love has added something to her life, and she has come to enjoy her dependency on her partner. The lyrics also reflect the sense of longing evoked by change, even if that change is unwelcome.
Overall, "I've Grown Accustomed to His Face" brilliantly encapsulates the feeling of being in love and how it can change our worldview.
Line by Line Meaning
I've grown accustomed to his face
I have become so used to seeing his face, it's now a regular part of my life.
He almost makes the day begin
Seeing him in the morning almost feels like the start of my day.
I've grown accustomed to the tune he whistles night and noon
I'm so used to hearing his whistling that it's almost like background music now, constant and comforting.
His smiles, his frowns, his ups and downs
I've become so familiar with his expressions and moods, as they are a regular part of our interactions.
Are second nature to me now
I'm so used to his expressions that it's almost an instinct to recognize them.
Like breathing out and breathing in
His presence feels so normal and natural to me, almost like an involuntary function.
I was serenely independent and content before we met
I had a peaceful and happy life before I met him, and I didn't need someone else to feel fulfilled.
Surely I could always be that way again and yet
Even though I was content alone, I'm not sure if I could go back to being that way again now that I'm used to having him in my life.
I've grown accustomed to his looks, accustomed to his voice
I've become so familiar with his appearance and the sound of his voice, it's become routine and comfortable.
Accustomed to his face
I've grown so used to seeing his face that it's now a part of me.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Alan Jay Lerner, Frederick Loewe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Denise Stardust
I've grown accustomed to his face
He almost makes the day begin
I've grown accustomed to the tune
He whistles night and noon
His smiles, his frowns
His ups, his downs
Are second nature to me now
Like breathing out and breathing in
I was serenely independent and content before we met
Surely I could always be that way again and yet
I've grown accustomed to his look
Accustomed to his voice, accustomed to his face
I've grown accustomed to his face
He almost makes the day begin
I've gotta used to hear him say
Good morning every day
His joys, his woes
His highs, his lows
Are second nature to me now
Like breathing out and breathing in
I'm very grateful he's a man and so easy to forget
Rather like a habit one can always break and yet
I've grown accustomed to a trace of something in the air
I've grown accustomed
Accustomed to his face
Mark Blackburn
I love it that Siriusly Sinatra satellite radio gives airplay, most every day, to DIANA KRALL. As I like to say, Canada's second greatest gift to jazz. Diana would be the first to say a pianist named Oscar was this country's greatest jazz export.
Earlier this hour Sirius played -- from her Quiet Nights album -- my favorite Cahn & Van Heusen ballad, GUESS I'LL HANG MY TEARS OUT TO DRY. Our favorite singer retired the trophy on that one in 1958. See "Sings For Only The Lonely."
Sirius Radio frequently plays songs from Diana Krall's concert performances, where she really shines -- always with a superb supporting cast of brilliant jazz musicians, plus a good sized orchestra with a string section, arranged -- in this case -- by Claus Ogerman, the Polish born, mostly American, world class arranger who orchestrated Sinatra's first great Antonio Carlos Jobim recordings. (Claus left us three years ago, age 85.)
When Diana performed this song at Winnipeg's largest indoor arena a few years ago another terrific arranger, New Zealand born Alan Broadbent was conducting the orchestra. This recording is from that same time period -- Diana's "Concert in Rio."
Yes, until a better live performance appears at YouTube this is my favorite version -- even with that little flub where she repeats "his highs and his lows" -- forgetting for a moment the correct lyric. (Just re-listened to it a few times -- that segment. Diana just might have said "his eyes, his nose" after highs and lows. But . . . maybe not. You have better ears. You tell me.)
----
For those who care about such things . . .
There are so many anecdotes about MY FAIR LADY, not found in the Wikipedia entry. Such as . . . Mary Martin, once the Queen of Broadway singers didn't like the songs when they were performed for her in a living room sneak preview by the composers, Alan Jay Lerner (singing) & Fritz Lowe (playing piano). Mary thought the music was "not good at all. "
Unlike the Columbia record company president who was so impressed he put up the 375 thousand dollars (a sizable sum in 1956) to stage the show – in return for recording rights to the original cast album. Boy was he right. According to Wiki:
The album became a massive seller, topping the charts on the US Billboard 200 for fifteen weeks at different times in 1956 (eight consecutive weeks), 1957, 1958 and 1959.[1] In the UK, upon its release in 1958, the album reached No.1 for 19 consecutive weeks and became the biggest-selling album of the year.
I checked the list of woman singers who've recorded this one – and had to change the words to meet the cadences of the music. Most recently Diana Krall; most famously Peggy Lee. But until a moment ago I'd never heard the earliest recording by a female singer – and isn't this a 'loverly' recording by Lena and a fine orchestra.
If memory serves our favorite singer recorded a couple of the wonderful MY FAIR LADY songs (every single one of them from that show was memorable) but not this one. I think Frank would have loved this take by Lena Horne.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9lLHc393ho
THE GLAMOROUS VISUAL
Wooow, this song and her voice give the chills!!! What a lovely and romantic slow... ❤
infour
Diana has a gorgeous lower register. Combined with sensitive playing Diana’s rendition is a real joy.
harvey Navigator
Ms.Krall does this song like it was written just for her! It’s beautiful!
Gaby Tiger
PURE musician appeal, the whole band seems to be in love with her ! And her voice sounds like an instrument ...supercool !!
Denise Stardust
I've grown accustomed to his face
He almost makes the day begin
I've grown accustomed to the tune
He whistles night and noon
His smiles, his frowns
His ups, his downs
Are second nature to me now
Like breathing out and breathing in
I was serenely independent and content before we met
Surely I could always be that way again and yet
I've grown accustomed to his look
Accustomed to his voice, accustomed to his face
I've grown accustomed to his face
He almost makes the day begin
I've gotta used to hear him say
Good morning every day
His joys, his woes
His highs, his lows
Are second nature to me now
Like breathing out and breathing in
I'm very grateful he's a man and so easy to forget
Rather like a habit one can always break and yet
I've grown accustomed to a trace of something in the air
I've grown accustomed
Accustomed to his face
Joy Henley
Her voice is just perfect for such a soft, soothing, romantic song. Just beautiful!
Flame Boy
Such a bliss, thank you Diana 🙏❤🙏!
Isabel Rebelo
Diana Krall is always fabulous! I have no more words to say how great she is. Amazing!
Stany Scognamiglio
La bravura di Diana Krall consiste nel trasformare pezzi classici come questo, tratto da My Fair lady, in un brano separato dal contesto interpretati come se fossero' appena composti da lei. Con stile asciutto ma allo stesso tempo di grande lirismo.
Maria Mutitu
Beautiful! I love her! Great share!!