Yesterdays
Eddie Heywood and His Orchestra Lyrics


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When I was young

I'd listened to the radio

Waitin' for my favorite songs

Waiting they played I'd sing along
It made me smile


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

Overall Meaning

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
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