Farrell was born in Willimantic, Connecticut, but she moved at an early age to Woonsocket, Rhode Island, which she always publicly and affectionately called her home town.
I Wonder What Became of Me
Eileen Farrell Lyrics
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Pianos making music all the night
They pour champagne
Just like it's rain
It's a sight to see
But I wonder what became of me
Crowds go by
They're merry making laughter in their eyes
But I wonder what became of mine
Life's sweet as honey, but still it's funny
I get this feeling that I can't analyze
It's like well maybe
When like the baby
Sees the bubble burst before it's eye
I've had my thrills
They've lit my cigarettes with dollar bills
But I can't be gay
For along the way something went astray
And I can't explain
It's the same champagne
It's a sight to see
But I wonder what became of me
In this song, Eileen Farrell sings about the contrast between her current lifestyle, surrounded by bright lights and champagne, and her internal feeling of emptiness and questioning what happened to her former self. She observes crowds of people who seem happy and carefree but cannot help but wonder what happened to her own laughter and joy. The line "Life's sweet as honey, but still it's funny" suggests that even though she has experienced success and pleasure in her life, something still feels off. She compares herself to a baby who sees a bubble burst before its eyes, implying that her happiness might have been fleeting and temporary.
The repetition of the line "But I wonder what became of me" throughout the song highlights the central theme of loss and nostalgia. She has had her share of thrills, but her material success cannot fill the void she feels inside. The closing line of the song, "And I can't explain, it's the same champagne, it's a sight to see, but I wonder what became of me," makes it clear that even though there is plenty to enjoy in her current lifestyle, she still feels a sense of disconnection from herself.
Overall, "I Wonder What Became of Me" is a poignant meditation on the human experience of seeking fulfillment and meaning in life, even amidst outward success and pleasure.
Line by Line Meaning
The lights are bright
The atmosphere is lively and engaging
Pianos making music all the night
Music fills the air and contributes to the festive atmosphere
They pour champagne
Champagne is being served
Just like it’s rain
In abundance and extravagance
It’s a sight to see
The overall scene presents a visual spectacle
But I wonder what became of me
Despite the pleasant environment, the singer feels disconnected and anxious about her current state
Crowds go by
People pass by in large numbers
They’re merry making laughter in their eyes
The people are enjoying themselves and their happiness is apparent
And the laughter’s fine
The artist acknowledges the joy around her
But I wonder what became of mine
Despite the merriment, the artist feels that she has lost her ability to experience genuine happiness
Life’s sweet as honey, but still it’s funny
The singer recognizes the pleasures of life, but is also aware of the ironic or contradictory nature of existence
I get this feeling that I can’t analyze
The artist has an emotional response that she cannot fully understand or articulate
It’s like well maybe
The singer attempts to describe her feeling more precisely but struggles to find words
When like the baby
The singer uses a metaphor to liken her inability to understand her emotion to an infant's lack of comprehension before something happens
Sees the bubble burst before it’s eye
The event that makes the baby realize their lack of understanding has happened right before them, and it puts their confusion into perspective
I’ve had my thrills
The artist has experienced excitement and pleasure in the past
They’ve lit my cigarettes with dollar bills
The artist has lived a lavish lifestyle filled with indulgences
But I can’t be gay
Despite her past experiences, the singer cannot fully feel happy in the present
For along the way something went astray
The singer recognizes that something has changed or gone wrong in her life
And I can’t explain
The artist is unable to articulate or make sense of the problem that makes her feel disconnected and unhappy
It’s the same champagne
Despite the luxurious surroundings, the artist is unable to find pleasure in the present moment
It’s a sight to see
The lavish and extravagant setting is impressive
But I wonder what became of me
Despite the festive setting, the singer feels disconnected and unfulfilled in her current state of being
Writer(s): Johnny Mercer, Harold Arlen
Contributed by Sebastian C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.