Yesterdays
Eddie Heywood and His Orchestra Lyrics
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I'd listened to the radio
Waitin' for my favorite songs
Waiting they played I'd sing along
Those were such happy times
And not so long ago
How I wondered where they'd gone
But they're back again
Just like a long lost friend
All the songs I loved so well
(*) every sha-la-la-la
Every wo-wo-wo
Still shines
Every shing-a-ling-a-ling
That they're starting to sing's
So fine
When they get to the part
Where he's breakin' her heart
It can really make me cry
Just like before
It's yesterday once more
Lookin' back on how it was
In years gone by
And the good times that I had
Makes today seem rather sad
So much has changed
It was songs of love that
I would sing to then
And I'd memorize each word
Those old melodies
Still sound so good to me
As they melt the years away
Repeat (*)
All my best memories
Come back clearly to me
Some can even make me cry
Just like before
It's yesterday once more
The lyrics of "Yesterdays" by Eddie Heywood and His Orchestra reminisce about nostalgic memories of listening to the radio and singing along to favorite songs during youth. The singer reflects on happier times not too long ago, wondering where those moments had vanished to, but then finding comfort in the return of those familiar songs like an old friend. The mention of "every sha-la-la-la, every wo-wo-wo" and "shing-a-ling-a-ling" evokes a sense of joy and nostalgia as the music transports the listener back to those cherished moments of the past.
As the song progresses, it delves into the emotional impact of certain songs that have the power to evoke deep feelings, especially when they revisit themes of heartbreak and emotional vulnerability. The singer finds themselves moved to tears by the poignant lyrics and melodies, highlighting the enduring power of music to elicit strong emotions and transport one back to a time when those feelings were raw and real. The repetition of "It's yesterday once more" reinforces the cyclical nature of memory and nostalgia that music can evoke.
The lyrics also touch upon the bittersweet contrast between past memories and the present reality, with the singer acknowledging the changes that have occurred over the years. The nostalgia for the past brings a sense of melancholy to the present, as the good times of yesteryears stand in stark contrast to the current state of affairs. Despite the passage of time and the inevitable changes that come with it, the comforting familiarity of old songs and the memories associated with them remain a constant source of solace and connection to the past.
In the final verses, the singer reflects on how certain songs have the power to vividly bring back memories, some of which are so poignant that they can still bring tears to the eyes. The nostalgia is so palpable that it feels as if the past is being relived, with all the best memories resurfacing and engulfing the listener in a wave of emotion. The repeating refrain of "It's yesterday once more" encapsulates the overarching theme of the song: the enduring power of music to transport us back in time, evoking the emotions and memories of yesteryears with a potent mix of joy and melancholy.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was young
During my youth
I'd listened to the radio
I would tune in to the radio
Waitin' for my favorite songs
Anticipating my preferred tunes
Waiting they played I'd sing along
Singing along once they were on air
It made me smile
It brought joy to my face
Those were such happy times
Those moments were filled with happiness
And not so long ago
And not too far back
How I wondered where they'd gone
I pondered where those times disappeared
But they're back again
But they have reemerged
Just like a long lost friend
Like a dearly missed companion
All the songs I loved so well
All the tunes that I cherished
every sha-la-la-la
every sha-la-la-la
Every wo-wo-wo
Every wo-wo-wo
Still shines
Still exudes brilliance
Every shing-a-ling-a-ling
Every shing-a-ling-a-ling
That they're starting to sing's
The start of their singing is
So fine
So exquisite
When they get to the part
Upon reaching the segment
Where he's breakin' her heart
Where he is breaking her heart
It can really make me cry
It genuinely brings tears to my eyes
Just like before
Just as it did previously
It's yesterday once more
It feels like yesteryear once again
Lookin' back on how it was
Reflecting on the past
In years gone by
In bygone years
And the good times that I had
And the enjoyable moments I experienced
Makes today seem rather sad
Causes today to appear quite gloomy
So much has changed
A lot has transformed
It was songs of love that
It was love songs that
I would sing to then
I used to sing along to
And I'd memorize each word
And I would commit every lyric to memory
Those old melodies
Those classic tunes
Still sound so good to me
Still sound wonderful to me
As they melt the years away
As they transport me back in time
All my best memories
All of my fondest recollections
Come back clearly to me
Return vividly to my mind
Some can even make me cry
Some are potent enough to evoke tears
Just like before
Just like in the past
It's yesterday once more
It's as if it's yesterday again
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JIM MUNDY, PEGGY WHITE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind