Originally sung by Ethel Merman, it has been covered by performers including Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Marlene Dietrich, Cesare Siepi, Dinah Washington, Bobby Short, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Mary Martin, Anita O`Day, Rosemary Clooney, Django Reinhardt, Gary Shearston, Jamie Cullum, The Living End, Dolly Parton, Dwele, Joan Morris, Shirley Bassey, and Lisa Ekdahl
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I Get a Kick Out of You
Ella Fitzgerald Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But practically everything leaves me totally cold
The only exception I know is the case
When I'm out on a quiet spree
Fighting vainly the old ennui
And I suddenly turn and see
Your fabulous face
Mere alcohol doesn't thrill me at all
So tell me why should it be true
That I get a kick out of you
Some get a kick from cocaine
I'm sure that if I took even one sniff
That would bore me terrifically too
But I get a kick out of you
I get a kick every time I see
You're standing there before me
I get a kick though it's clear to me
You obviously do not adore me
I get no kick in a plane
Flying too high with some guy in the sky
Is my idea of nothing to do
Yet I get a kick out of you
I get a kick every time I see
You're standing there before me
I get a kick though it's clear to me
You obviously do not adore me
I get no kick in a plane
Flying too high with some guy in the sky
Is my idea of nothing to do
Yet I get a kick out of you
I get a kick out of you
The lyrics to "I Get a Kick Out of You" by Ella Fitzgerald express a sense of melancholy and isolation that the singer experiences in her life. She acknowledges that her story is too sad to tell and that almost everything bores her, except for one thing: the thrill that she gets from seeing the person she loves. The song suggests that this thrill is not an easy thing to come by, but she cherishes it nonetheless.
The singer goes on to explain the various things that fail to provide her with any sense of exhilaration. She says that alcohol, champagne or cocaine do not thrill her at all. Even flying, which is often seen as an exciting or glamorous pastime, leaves her feeling bored. The only thing that makes her feel alive is the presence of her lover, even though she recognizes that he does not reciprocate her feelings.
Overall, the song communicates a sense of longing and a recognition that true joy is hard to come by. However, it also suggests that there are moments of happiness to be found in life, even if they are fleeting or difficult to obtain.
Line by Line Meaning
My story is much too sad to be told
I have had a difficult life and do not like to share the details with others.
But practically everything leaves me totally cold
I am generally uninterested and unimpressed by most things in life.
The only exception I know is the case
The only thing that makes me feel alive is when I am out having fun.
When I'm out on a quiet spree
I enjoy spending time alone, away from the noise and crowds of people.
Fighting vainly the old ennui
I struggle to overcome feelings of boredom and monotony in my life.
And I suddenly turn and see
But then I catch sight of something that catches my attention.
Your fabulous face
It is your wonderful face that I find beautiful and interesting.
I get no kick from champagne
I am not overly impressed by the luxuries that others enjoy, such as champagne.
Mere alcohol doesn't thrill me at all
I do not find much excitement or enjoyment in drinking alcohol.
So tell me why should it be true
I don't understand why I wouldn't enjoy these things like most people do.
That I get a kick out of you
But what I do find enjoyable and exciting is being around you.
Some get a kick from cocaine
Other people find pleasure and stimulation from drugs like cocaine, but not me.
I'm sure that if I took even one sniff
I am confident that if I tried cocaine, I would still find it boring and unstimulating.
That would bore me terrifically too
Taking cocaine would not provide me with any real enjoyment or fulfillment.
But I get a kick out of you
However, spending time with you always makes me happy and brings me joy.
I get a kick every time I see
I always feel excitement and happiness when I see you in person.
You're standing there before me
Seeing you in front of me is a wonderful sight that fills me with happiness.
I get a kick though it's clear to me
Even though I know that you do not feel the same way about me, I still enjoy being around you.
You obviously do not adore me
It is clear that you do not have romantic feelings for me, but I cannot help how I feel.
I get no kick in a plane
I do not find flying or traveling by plane to be very enjoyable or exciting.
Flying too high with some guy in the sky
Traveling on a plane with a male companion does not interest me.
Is my idea of nothing to do
I do not find that flying or traveling by plane offers much in terms of activities or entertainment.
Yet I get a kick out of you
Even though I do not enjoy plane travel, I still look forward to spending time with you.
I get a kick out of you
Ultimately, it is spending time with you that brings me the most joy and satisfaction in life.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cole Porter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kalabanham
My story is much too sad to be told
But practically everything leaves me totally cold
The only exception I know is the case
When I'm out on a quiet spree, fighting vainly the old ennui
And I suddenly turn and see
Your fabulous face
I get no kick from champagne
Mere alcohol doesn't thrill me at all
So tell me why should it be true
That I get a kick out of you
Some get a kick from cocaine
I'm sure that if I took even one sniff
That would bore me terrifically too
But I get a kick out of you
I get a kick every time I see you standing there before me
I get a kick though it's clear to me, you obviously don't adore me
I get no kick in a plane
Flying too high with some guy in the sky
Is my idea of nothing to do
Yet I get a kick out of you x2
@h.o.l.e.h.e.a.d1578
My story is much too sad to be told
But practically everything leaves me totally cold
The only exception I know is the case
When I'm out on a quiet spree
Fighting vainly the old ennui
And I suddenly turn and see your fabulous face
I get no kick from champagne
Mere alcohol doesn't thrill me at all
So tell me, why should it be true
That I get a kick out of you?
Some get a kick from cocaine
I'm sure that if I took even one sniff
That would bore me terrifically too
But I get a kick out of you
I get a kick every time I see
You're standing there before me
I get a kick though it's clear to me
You obviously don't adore me
I get no kick in a plane
Flying too high with some guy in the sky
Is my idea of nothing to do
Yet I get a kick out of you
I get a kick every time I see
You standing there before me
I get a kick though it's clear to me
You obviously don't adore me
I get no kick in a plane
Flying too high with some guy in the sky
Is my idea of nothing to do
Yet I get a kick out of you
I get a kick out of you
@aml3668
Oh, heaven.
That voice. I'm not one for swooning, but when it comes to Ella Fitzgerald, swoon I do.
How she could capture the spirit of her era with such unparalleled technique but also such seeming effortlessness!
Cole Porter was one of the greatest songwriters of the first half of the twentieth century and his contribution is towering, but imagine his body of work without Ella Fitzgerald. It is impossible!
@Toyeminator
These songs and Ella never get old for me. Her clarity, excellent melody, and vocabulary/lyrics are everlasting.
@sarahdara1982
She’s absolutely magnificent, but you know this isn’t her song, and these aren’t her lyrics, right? The incomparable Cole Porter, one of the best songwriters and lyricists of all time, wrote this. This is from Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Songbook, and the entire album is a masterpiece.
@rodnertylerduo4115
Isn't it obvious to you that the OP is commenting on Ella's articulation and enunciation, phrasing and execution, of the melody and lyrics? 😐😕
@bob-N4REE
So beautiful. The simplicity of an outstanding vocalist backed by only a quartet of instruments is so much better than some our modern jazz vocalists, who sounded great when they were starting with only a few instruments, but now feel the need for 40 piece orchestras. If you're really a great vocalist, you don't need to hide behind scores of strings and brass instruments.
@lakemichigan6598
Bob Easton No instrument in anyone's 40 piecer can improve upon Ella Fitzgerald's wonderful singing voice. Thank Heaven for the excellent recording technology of her era. What a crime it would have been had the enjoyment of her talent been restricted only to those lucky enough to have heard her live. And I agree. With a voice of Ella's timeless quality, reduce the orchestra to the bare essentials and turn up the volume on the vocalist.
@ralphgoodall3438
ELLA, what a voice. Pure class. Pure bliss. Great entertainment. Love her and choice of songs. A+++
@kalabanham
My story is much too sad to be told
But practically everything leaves me totally cold
The only exception I know is the case
When I'm out on a quiet spree, fighting vainly the old ennui
And I suddenly turn and see
Your fabulous face
I get no kick from champagne
Mere alcohol doesn't thrill me at all
So tell me why should it be true
That I get a kick out of you
Some get a kick from cocaine
I'm sure that if I took even one sniff
That would bore me terrifically too
But I get a kick out of you
I get a kick every time I see you standing there before me
I get a kick though it's clear to me, you obviously don't adore me
I get no kick in a plane
Flying too high with some guy in the sky
Is my idea of nothing to do
Yet I get a kick out of you x2
@CBHS1962
No it does not get any better. Tone, phrasing, enunciation, interpretation, and timing are incomparable and faultless. Even Cole Porter himself remarked on her enunciation.
@MrCalavera10
Agreed.