BUT NOT FOR ME
Eliane Elias Lyrics


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Old man sunshine listen you
Never tell me dreams come true
Just try it and I'll start a riot
Beatrice Fairfax don't you dare
Ever tell me he will care
I'm certain it's the final curtain
I never want to hear from any cheerful Pollyannas
Who tell you fate supplies a mate
It's all bananas

They're writing songs of love but not for me
A lucky star's above but not for me
With love to lead the way I've found more clouds of gray
Than any Russian play could guarantee

I was a fool to fall and get that way
Hi-ho, alas, and also lack-a-day
Although I can't dismiss the memory of his kiss
I guess he's not for me

I was a fool to fall and get that way




Hi-ho, alas, and also lack-a-day
Although I can't dismiss the memory of his kiss

Overall Meaning

The song "But Not for Me" by Eliane Elias is a melancholic ballad about unrequited love. The first stanza introduces the theme, with the singer rejecting the optimism of "cheerful Pollyannas" who believe in the possibility of a perfect match. She sees romance as a hopeless pursuit and expresses her determination to avoid hearing any more false promises of fate supplying a mate. The second stanza reflects on the singer's personal experience, describing her loneliness and disappointment in love, conveying the feeling that even a lucky star isn't shining for her. The final lines suggest that, despite her heartache, the memory of a past lover lingers on, though ultimately, the singer accepts that he is not meant for her.


The lyrics of "But Not for Me" convey a sense of resignation and regret, reflecting on missed opportunities and the bitterness of unfulfilled hopes. The melody, with its bluesy feel, underscores the melancholic lyrics, evoking the emotions of the singer's disillusionment. The song highlights the universality of heartbreak and the painful reality that not everyone finds their perfect match.


Line by Line Meaning

Old man sunshine listen you
Hey, Mr. Sunshine, listen up!


Never tell me dreams come true
Don't bother telling me that dreams really can come true


Just try it and I'll start a riot
If someone tries to convince me that dreams can come true, I'll get riled up


Beatrice Fairfax don't you dare
Ms. Fairfax, you had better not even try to suggest


Ever tell me he will care
that he might actually care for me.


I'm certain it's the final curtain
I am absolutely certain that it is the end for me.


I never want to hear from any cheerful Pollyannas
I don't want to hear any happy-go-lucky people


Who tell you fate supplies a mate
who believe that destiny will bring them love


It's all bananas
It's all nonsense to me.


They're writing songs of love but not for me
I see all the love songs being written, but they're not meant for me.


A lucky star's above but not for me
People talk about a lucky star being up in the sky, but not for me.


With love to lead the way I've found more clouds of gray
Despite having love as my guide, I've come across more unhappiness than happiness.


Than any Russian play could guarantee
I'm even more unfortunate than the characters in a tragic Russian play.


I was a fool to fall and get that way
I realize now that I was foolish to open myself up to the possibility of love.


Hi-ho, alas, and also lack-a-day
I'm expressing my regret and sadness about the situation.


Although I can't dismiss the memory of his kiss
Despite my disappointment, I can't ignore the fact that his kiss left a lasting impression on me.


I guess he's not for me
I accept that he's not the right match for me.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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