A Foggy Day
Ella Fitzgerald / Louis Armstrong Lyrics
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Out of town were the people I knew
I had that feeling of self pity
What to do, what to do, what to do
The outlook was decidedly blue
But as I walked through the foggy streets alone
It turned out to be the luckiest day I've known
A foggy day, in London town
Had me low and had me down
I viewed the morning, with alarm
The British museum, had lost its charm
How long I wondered
Could this thing last
But the age of miracles, hadn't past
Yes, for suddenly, I saw you there
And through the foggy London town
The sun was shining everywhere
A foggy day, in London town
Had me low and it had me down
I viewed the morning, with alarm
The British museum, had lost its charm
How long, how long I wondered
Could this thing last
But the age of miracles, hadn't past
For suddenly, I saw you there
And through foggy London town
The sun was shining everywhere
How long, I wondered
Could this thing last
But the age of miracles, hadn't past
For suddenly, I saw you there
And through foggy London town
The sun was shining everywhere
The lyrics to Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong's song "A Foggy Day in London Town" tell the story of a person who was a stranger to the city and feeling low and unsure of what to do. The foggy streets added to their sense of disorientation and feeling down, as they couldn't even find joy in the British Museum. However, as they walked through the foggy streets alone, they experienced a stroke of luck that would change their day and lift their spirits. They saw someone they knew, and suddenly the sun was shining everywhere, illuminating the previously gloomy city.
The theme of the lyrics is the transformative power of love and relationships. Even on a foggy and depressing day, the presence of a loved one can completely change one's outlook and bring about a sense of hope and joy. The song reflects on how love can provide a sense of purpose and belonging, even in the midst of uncertainty and unfamiliarity.
Line by Line Meaning
I was a stranger in the city
I felt like an outsider in this unfamiliar place
Out of town were the people I knew
None of my friends or acquaintances were with me
I had that feeling of self pity
I was feeling sorry for myself
What to do, what to do, what to do
I was at a loss for what to do next
The outlook was decidedly blue
My prospects for the day seemed bleak
But as I walked through the foggy streets alone
As I strolled through the misty city without a companion
It turned out to be the luckiest day I've known
This ended up being one of my luckiest days ever
A foggy day, in London town
It was a misty day in the British capital
Had me low and had me down
It left me feeling down and depressed
I viewed the morning, with alarm
I was worried about how the day would turn out
The British museum, had lost its charm
Even the famous British Museum felt less exciting in this dreary weather
How long I wondered
I pondered to myself
Could this thing last
How much longer will this gloomy weather persist
But the age of miracles, hadn't past
I still held onto the hope that anything was possible
Yes, for suddenly, I saw you there
Then, all of a sudden, I caught a glimpse of you
And through the foggy London town
Even in the misty city
The sun was shining everywhere
It felt like the sun was shining and things were looking up
How long, how long I wondered
I repeated my earlier musings
Could this thing last
Would this newfound feeling of optimism be fleeting?
But the age of miracles, hadn't past
I still held onto the idea that good things were still possible
For suddenly, I saw you there
Once again, you appeared out of nowhere
And through foggy London town
Even amidst the mist
The sun was shining everywhere
It felt like a bright and sunny day
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tuxguys
This came on the radio yesterday morning, and my entire life went into a relaxed, swingin' '2' and '4' for the next four-and-a-half minutes...
There's these two, and then there's everybody else...
...but, in this case, "everybody else" includes these four:
Oscar Peterson - piano
Ray Brown - double bass
Herb Ellis - guitar
Buddy Rich - drums
...and I look at that line-up, and I think, "My god, couldn't they find anybody that could play?"
The Gershwins were never better-represented than they are here.
@marcusloh933
I was a stranger in the city
Out of town were the people I knew
I had that feeling of self-pity
What to do, what to do, what to do
The outlook was decidedly blue
But as I walked through the foggy streets alone
It turned out to be the luckiest day I've known
A foggy day, in London town
Had me low, had me down
I viewed the morning, with much alarm
British Museum, had lost its charm
How long I wondered,
Could this thing last
But the age of miracles, hadn't past
For suddenly, I saw you there
And through foggy London town,
The sun was shining everywhere
For suddenly, I saw you there
And through foggy London town,
The sun was shining everywhere
Everywhere
Everywhere
Everywhere
11-11-2020
@patrickstocks3576
I was a stranger in the city 🌃
Out of town were the people I knew
I had that feeling of self-pity
What to do, what to do, what to do
The outlook was decidedly blue
But as I walked through the foggy 🌁 streets alone
It turned out to be the luckiest day I’ve known
A foggy 🌫 day in London Town
Had me low, had me down
I viewed the morning with much alarm
British Museum had lost its charm
How long I wondered
Could this thing last
But the age of miracles hadn’t past
For suddenly I saw 👀 you there
And through foggy 🌫 London Town
The sun ☀️ was shining everywhere
For suddenly I saw 👀 you there
And through foggy 🌫 London Town
The sun ☀️ was shining everywhere
Everywhere
Everywhere
Everywhere
@citizen1163
I live in London and remember the fogs..I was a VERY small child! I also saw Ella sing at a theatre in Slough, of all places, about 1987? Her voice sounded better live than on recordings, believe it or not.
@michaelsatchell8626
I can believe lt
@goingoutonmyshield2811
Cool
@jvx358
I'm 21 years old and by far not a boomer, however, one thing I know for sure is that I really like this song. There's such a serene and light heartened simplicity to it. It kind of makes you see, appreciate, and find contentment in the small and simple things in life even if everything has a bit of melancholy to it.
@Dameinthewild
You don't have to be a boomer to love good music. Good music is timeless and creates a feeling that defies generations. Gershwin was a brilliant songwriter. Ella and Louis were brilliant musicians. And now we have a classic forever. One of my faves.
@bobdillaber1195
Well said. 👌
@SweetJungThang
This is the Great American Songbook, dearie -- it waaaaay predates us Boomers. But your instincts are great as is our taste in music. I fell in love with this album too, back in the 70s.
@xXJeenzXx
Oh my days... when Ella joins in... swooning over a laydee. Too perfect.
@tuxguys
This came on the radio yesterday morning, and my entire life went into a relaxed, swingin' '2' and '4' for the next four-and-a-half minutes...
There's these two, and then there's everybody else...
...but, in this case, "everybody else" includes these four:
Oscar Peterson - piano
Ray Brown - double bass
Herb Ellis - guitar
Buddy Rich - drums
...and I look at that line-up, and I think, "My god, couldn't they find anybody that could play?"
The Gershwins were never better-represented than they are here.
@mhoracsek
Two really talents - they sing together in the heavens - and they remain between us for ever on the earth