Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996), also known as the "F… Read Full Bio ↴Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996), also known as the "First Lady of Song" and "Lady Ella," was an American jazz vocalist. With a vocal range spanning three octaves, she was noted for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing and intonation, and a "horn-like" improvisational ability, particularly in her scat singing.

She is widely considered one of the supreme interpreters of the Great American Songbook. Over a recording career that lasted 59 years, she was the winner of 13 Grammy Awards and was awarded the National Medal of Art by Ronald Reagan and the Presidential Medal of Freedom by George H. W. Bush.

I Didn't Know About You
Ella Fitzgerald & Duke Ellington Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

My one and only,
What am I gonna do if you turn me down
When I'm so crazy over you?

I'd be so lonely
Where am I gonna go if you turn me down
Why blacken all my skies of blue?

I tell you, I'm not asking any miracle
It can be done, it can be done
I know a clergyman who will grow lyrical
And make us one, and make us one

So, my one and only
There isn't a reason why you should turn me down
When I'm so crazy over you

I tell you, I'm not asking any miracle
It can be done, it can be done
I know a clergyman who will grow lyrical
And make us one, and make us one

So, my one and only
There isn't a reason why you should turn me down
When I'm so crazy over you

Oh, I'm so crazy over you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "I Didn't Know About You" by Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington's Orchestra revolves around a love-stricken narrator who is head over heels in love with their beloved. The singer expresses their fear of being rejected by their beloved and being left alone. The singer goes on to explain how lonely they will be if their beloved rejects them, and how their skies will darken.

The singer pleads with their beloved, stating that they are not asking for any miracles, and that they know a clergyman who can make them one, implying that they are willing to get married to their beloved. The singer is adamant in expressing their love, saying that there isn't any reason for their beloved to turn them down when they are so crazy over them.

In a nutshell, the song is a plea of love from the singer to their beloved, expressing how much they love and need them in their life. The urgency in the lyrics portrays the singer's desperation for their beloved's love, almost as if they cannot survive without it.

Line by Line Meaning

My one and only,
You are the only one for me.

What am I gonna do if you turn me down
What will I do if you reject me?

When I'm so crazy over you?
I am deeply in love with you.

I'd be so lonely
I would feel very alone.

Where am I gonna go if you turn me down
If you refuse me, where will I turn?

Why blacken all my skies of blue?
Why ruin my happiness?

I tell you, I'm not asking any miracle
I am not expecting anything impossible.

It can be done, it can be done
Our love can happen, it's possible.

I know a clergyman who will grow lyrical
I know a religious official who can perform a beautiful ceremony.

And make us one, and make us one
And unite us in marriage.

So, my one and only
My beloved.

There isn't a reason why you should turn me down
You have no reason to reject me.

Oh, I'm so crazy over you
I am completely in love with you.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOB RUSSELL, DUKE ELLINGTON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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