Stormy Weather
Ella Fitzgerald. Lyrics


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Don't know why there's no sun up in the sky, stormy weather
Since my man and I ain't together, keeps raining all the time
Life is bare, gloom and misery everywhere, stormy weather
Just can't get my poor self together
I'm weary, the time, the time
So weary all the time

When he went away the blues walked in and met me
If he stays away, that old rocking chair will get me
All I do is pray the Lord above will let me
Walk in the sun once more

Can't go on, everything I had is gone, stormy weather
Since my man and I ain't together
Keeps raining all the time
Keeps raining all the time

I walk around, heavy-hearted and sad
Night comes around, I'm still feelin' bad
Rain pourin' down and blindin' every hope I had
This pitterin', patterin', beatin' and spatterin' drive me mad
Love, love, love, love
This misery will be the end of me

When he went away the blues walked in and met me
If he stays away, that old rocking chair will get me
All I do is pray the Lord above will let me
Walk in the sun once more

Can't go on, everything I had is gone, stormy weather
Since my man and I ain't together
Keeps raining all the time
The time





Keeps raining all the time

Overall Meaning

In Ella Fitzgerald's classic song "Stormy Weather," the artist expresses the sadness and despair she feels since her lover has left. The lyrics describe the gloom and misery that she experiences, with no sun in the sky and the constant rain representing her tears as she struggles to cope without him. She feels weary and heavy-hearted, unable to find solace or hope.


The line "When he went away, the blues walked in and met me" highlights the metaphorical significance of the stormy weather. In her lover's absence, she is consumed by the blues and a sense of loneliness that has become all-encompassing. The image of an old rocking chair waiting for her if he stays away hints at the deep desire she harbours to have him back.


The phrase "all I do is pray the Lord above will let me walk in the sun once more" is the song's most hopeful line, expressing her desire for a return to happiness and emotional stability.


Line by Line Meaning

Don't know why there's no sun up in the sky, stormy weather
I don't know why the sky is so gloomy and stormy


Since my man and I ain't together, keeps raining all the time
It's raining all the time because my love is not with me anymore


Life is bare, gloom and misery everywhere, stormy weather
Life is empty and filled with sadness and trouble during this stormy weather


Just can't get my poor self together
I am unable to gather myself emotionally


I'm weary, the time, the time
I am exhausted and worn down by this constant sadness and the passage of time


When he went away the blues walked in and met me
I started feeling sad when my lover left me


If he stays away, that old rocking chair will get me
If he doesn't come back, I will be alone and heartbroken forever


All I do is pray the Lord above will let me Walk in the sun once more
All I can hope for is to find happiness and love again


Can't go on, everything I had is gone, stormy weather
I cannot move forward in life because everything I had is gone during this stormy weather


Keeps raining all the time
It keeps raining and making me more and more miserable


I walk around, heavy-hearted and sad
I roam around feeling heavy and sad


Night comes around, I'm still feelin' bad
Even at night, I am still feeling terrible


Rain pourin' down and blindin' every hope I had
The constant rain is making me lose my optimism for the future


This pitterin', patterin', beatin' and spatterin' drive me mad
The sound of the rain makes me feel insane


Love, love, love, love This misery will be the end of me
This heartbreak is causing me unbearable pain and will be the end of me if I cannot find happiness again


The time
The time feels like it's dragging on forever during this stormy weather




Lyrics © S.A. MUSIC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Gabriela Suárez

Don't know why
There's no sun up in the sky
Stormy weather
Since my man and I ain't together
Keeps rainin' all the time
Life is bare gloom and misery
Everywhere,
Stormy weather
Just can't get my poor self together
I'm weary all the time
The time,
So weary all the time
When he went away
The blues walked in and met me
If he stays a way old rockin' chair will get me
All I do is pray the Lord above will let me
Walk in the sun once more,
Can't go on, everything is gone
Stormy weather
Since my man and I ain't together
Keeps rainin' all the time
Keeps rainin' all the time
Don't know time.



All comments from YouTube:

Natasha May DiMarco

This is THE GREATEST version I've ever heard of this song... Blown away...

Trevor Morris

Natasha May DiMarco
I agree 100%. But you can say that about almost every song that Ella recorded. She was matchless.
I was fortunate to be able to see her in London in the early 60's. I enjoyed the concert but I wasna mature enough then to appreciate her artistry as I do now. Still.it was a great experience that can never be repeated.

Flint3162

Ella never did a bad song, I swear!

That being said, Etta James gives you a kick in the stomach with the raw emotion she puts in this song. Etta does my favorite version

Trevor Morris

@Flint3162
Powerful in a way. I enjoyed it but I canna see past Ella's version, the ultimate version for me, In fact you can say that about almost everything Ella sings!

Yellow Fellow

To be fair, every song Ella ever sang was the best version of that song.

Erin Maguire

Ella is a master, love her rendition of this song 🥰

Jan Naperala

Every note is perfection and that tone!!! Grew up listening to her.....

Pam Tebelman

What a gorgeous arrangement!

Mitchel Evans

She was at her peak of her mastery in the 50’s and 60’s. Absolutely glorious.

Steven Hickson

Timeless. Perfect. Just wow. If you don't love this you don't get music.

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