Duke Ellington and his Orchestra is perhaps the greatest of all Jazz bands.… Read Full Bio ↴Duke Ellington and his Orchestra is perhaps the greatest of all Jazz bands. The group stayed together for over fifty years and recorded and wrote some of America's greatest music. The band started in New York City under name of the Washingtonians in 1923, they then briefly became known as Duke Ellington and his Kentucky Club Orchestra, then as Duke Ellington and his Cotton Club Orchestra from 1927 to 1930. It was through weekly radio broadcasts from the Cotton Club that the orchestra gained nationwide exposure and became famous. After 1931 the band was billed as Duke Ellington and his Orchestra.

Lover Man
Duke Ellington & His Orchestra Lyrics

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I don't know why but I'm feeling so sad
I long to try something I never had
Never had no kissing
Oh, what I've been missing
Lover man, oh, where can you be

The night is cold and I'm so alone
I'd give my soul just to call you my own

Got a moon above me
But no one to love me
Lover man, oh, where can you be

I've heard it said
That the thrill of romance
Can be like a heavenly dream
I go to bed with a prayer
That you'll make love to me
Strange as it seems

Someday we'll meet
And you'll dry all my tears
Then whisper sweet
Little things in my ear
Hugging and a kissing
Oh, what we've been missing
Lover man, oh, where can you be

I've heard it said
That the thrill of romance
Can be like a heavenly dream
I go to bed with a prayer
That you'll make love to me
Strange as it seems

Someday we'll meet
And you'll dry all my tears
Then whisper sweet
Little things in my ear
Hugging and a kissing

Oh, what we've been missing
Lover man, oh, where can you be

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Lover Man" is a lamentation of a woman who is feeling lonely and despondent due to the absence of her lover. The opening verse, "I don't know why but I'm feeling so sad, I long to try something I never had" conveys the singer's deep desire to experience something new or exciting in her life, which she hopes her lover can fulfill. The next line, "Never had no kissing, oh what I've been missing," reveals that her need is for physical intimacy, something that she is currently lacking. The chorus, "Lover man, oh where can you be?" is a plea to her lover to come back to her and fill the void in her life.

The second verse, "The night is cold and I'm so alone, I'd give my soul just to call you my own," further illustrates the singer's loneliness and desperation to be with her lover. She also expresses her longing for someone to love her by saying, "Got a moon above me, but no one to love me." The bridge, "I've heard it said that the thrill of romance, can be like a heavenly dream," reflects her belief in the transformative power of love, which can make her life more fulfilling.

The last verse, "Someday we'll meet and you'll dry all my tears, then whisper sweet little things in my ear, hugging and a kissing, oh what we've been missing, Lover man, oh where can you be?" is an expression of hope that things will work out and that her lover will return to her. The repeated phrase, "lover man, oh where can you be?" serves to drive home the singer's desperation and longing for her lover.

Line by Line Meaning

I don't know why but I'm feeling so sad
I am overwhelmed with sadness, but I cannot pinpoint the exact source of my emotions.

I long to try something I never had
I have a desire to experience something new and exciting that I have never had before.

Never had no kissing
I have never experienced the intimacy of a kiss.

Oh, what I've been missing
I lament the experiences and feelings of affection that I have been deprived of.

Lover man, oh, where can you be
I am yearning for a romantic partner to fulfill the emotional and physical needs that I currently lack.

The night is cold and I'm so alone
I feel isolated and alone, especially during the dark and lonely hours of the night.

I'd give my soul just to call you my own
I would do anything to have a devoted lover who is exclusively mine.

Got a moon above me
The night sky features a divine and captivating moon.

But no one to love me
Despite the stunning surroundings, I still lack a romantic partner to share it with.

Lover man, oh, where can you be
I continue to search and yearn for a romantic partner who will cure my loneliness and isolation.

I've heard it said
Others have expressed that

That the thrill of romance
The excitement and passion of loving relationships

Can be like a heavenly dream
Can feel like a perfect and otherworldly fantasy.

I go to bed with a prayer
I request divine assistance

That you'll make love to me
That I will find a romantic partner who will fulfill my desires and needs.

Strange as it seems
As unlikely as it may be.

Someday we'll meet
I am hopeful that one day

And you'll dry all my tears
I will find a romantic partner who will help me overcome my emotional burdens and difficulties.

Then whisper sweet
Utter tender and affectionate words

Little things in my ear
Direct declarations of love and admiration whispered into my ear.

Hugging and a kissing
Engage in close and intimate physical contact, such as hugs and kisses.

Oh, what we've been missing
Expressing the regret and lament for the missed opportunities of physical and emotional intimacy in the past.

Lover man, oh, where can you be
Continuing to long and search for the perfect romantic partner to fulfill my desires.

Lyrics © S.A. MUSIC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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