Someone To Watch Over Me
Ella Fitzgerald Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Still we're often told, seek and ye shall find
So I'm going to seek a certain lad I've had in mind
Looking everywhere, haven't found him yet
He's the big affair I cannot forget
Only man I ever think of with regret
Tell me, where is the shepherd for this lost lamb?
There's a somebody I'm longin' to see
I hope that he turns out to be
Someone who'll watch over me
I'm a little lamb who's lost in the wood
I know I could always be good
To one who'll watch over me
Although he may not be
The man some girls think of as handsome
To my heart, he carries the key
Won't you tell him please to put on some speed
Follow my lead, oh, how I need
Someone to watch over me
In Ella Fitzgerald's timeless classic "Someone to Watch Over Me," the singer is a young woman in search of love. The opening line of the song states that "love is blind," foreshadowing the singer's desperation to find someone to love despite not yet having located such a person. The second line "seek and ye shall find" sets up the theme of the song, that the singer will not give up until her search is successful.
The third line introduces the object of the singer's affection, a "certain lad." She searches for him everywhere, but he remains elusive. The fourth line, "He's the big affair I cannot forget," conveys the strength of the singer's attachment to this person. Despite not knowing him well or perhaps even at all, she is unable to forget him.
The final lines of the song express the singer's vulnerability and need for protection. She describes herself as a "little lamb who's lost in the wood" and hopes to find someone who will watch over her. The use of the word "watch" implies a protective role, perhaps from the dangers of the outside world and from those who would take advantage of her. The song ends with a plea for this person to find her quickly and to take care of her.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a saying old, says that love is blind
Love can be irrational and illogical, but we often can't control our feelings for someone.
Still we're often told, seek and ye shall find
We're advised to actively search for what we want in life, including love.
So I'm going to seek a certain lad I've had in mind
I have someone specific in mind when it comes to love, and I'm determined to find him.
Looking everywhere, haven't found him yet
Despite my efforts to find him, I haven't located the man I'm searching for.
He's the big affair I cannot forget
This man is incredibly important to me, and I can't get him out of my head.
Only man I ever think of with regret
He's the only person I regret not being able to be with, and the only man I truly dream of being with.
I'd like to add his initial to my monogram
I'd like to be connected with him in a lasting and significant way, such as in a monogram.
Tell me, where is the shepherd for this lost lamb?
I'm looking for someone to guide and protect me, like a shepherd does for a lamb.
There's a somebody I'm longin' to see
I deeply desire to spend time with a specific person.
I hope that he turns out to be
I'm optimistic and hopeful that he is the man I've been looking for.
Someone who'll watch over me
I want someone who will care for and protect me, making me feel safe and secure.
I'm a little lamb who's lost in the wood
I feel lost and uncertain, like a helpless lamb wandering in the woods.
I know I could always be good
If given guidance and a good influence, I believe I could be a better person.
To one who'll watch over me
I'm looking for someone who will care for and mentor me, helping me to become the best version of myself.
Although he may not be
Even if he doesn't fit the typical stereotypical expectations for a desirable partner,
The man some girls think of as handsome
who other girls might find attractive simply because of his physical appearance,
To my heart, he carries the key
He alone has the ability to unlock my heart and make me feel truly loved.
Won't you tell him please to put on some speed
I'm urgent and anxious to be with him, and I'm asking for help in making that happen faster.
Follow my lead, oh, how I need
I know what I want and I hope that he will follow my lead by choosing to be with me.
Someone to watch over me
Ultimately, I want someone who will care for and protect me, always being there for me no matter what.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, O/B/O DistroKid, Downtown Music Publishing, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ira Gershwin, George Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@miarinehart6200
There's a saying old
Says that love is blind
Still we're often told
"Seek and ye shall find"
So I'm going to seek
A certain lad
I've had in mind
Looking everywhere
Haven't found him yet
He's the big affair
I cannot forget
Only man I ever think
Of with regret
I'd like
To add his initial
To my monogram
Tell me
Where is the shepherd
For this lost lamb?
There's a somebody
I'm longin' to see
I hope that he turns
Out to be
Someone to watch over me
I'm a little lamb
Who's lost in the wood
I know I could
Always be good
To one
Who'll watch over me
Although he may
Not be the man some
Girls think
Of as handsome
To my heart
He carries the key
Won't you tell him please
To put on some speed
Follow my lead
Oh, how I need
Someone to watch over me
Won't you tell him please
To put on some speed
Follow my lead
Oh, how I need
Someone to watch over me
Someone to watch over me
@frenchhornwoman
My dad took me to see Ella in 1980... I was 12 years old... My wonderful dad passed away today.... Thank you dad for being a huge influence in my musical life......
@SilahMariaReal
Emma Marzetti u dad was a good person to u certainly ... God Bless u and confort u in this time <3
@mscrunchy68
Emma Marzetti Such a comfort to be able to revisit memories through music - and you'll always be able to do that:)
@emptyname12345
Emma Marzetti <3 <3 <3
@mrsdiana324
So sad for your loss but what wonderfull memories he left you with x
@marinesniper513
Always remember that memory when you think of him :)
@donormaster
"I never knew how good our songs were until I heard Ella Fitzgerald sing them." Ira Gershwin
@inesdeerausquin5658
Daniel Jaffe talk about the supreme compliment! But who else could deserve it but Ella? Her voice is like silk and spring-water; clear and smooth.
@jackiebrookman9910
Well, Ira and George's songs were masterpieces: lyrics and music, beyond compare. With the addition of Ella's voice--it is perfection!
@sheilaburns8977
Ines, you are so right, her voice is so pure …. I'm feeling grateful to be able to turn on YouTube and see and listen to beautiful voices like Ella's. If you haven't seen or heard Ella and Sammy Davis Jr sing S'Wonderful, treat yourself. They were together on the Ed Sullivan Show and I found them on YouTube. …. PEACE.