Louis Armstrong (1901 - 1971) was a trumpet player, singer, and bandleader, and is widely regarded as one of the most influential artists in the history of jazz.
CAN'T WE BE FRIENDS
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong Lyrics
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Now it seems, this is how the story ends
He's going to turn me down and say
Can't we be friends
I thought for once it couldn't go wrong
Not for long, I can see the way this ends
He's going to turn me down and say
Never again, through with love
Through with men
They play their game without shame
And who's to blame
I thought I'd found a man I could trust
What a bust, this is how the story ends
He's going to turn me down and say
Can't we be friends
Yes, I thought I knew the wheat from the chaff
What a laugh, this is how our story ends
I'll let her turn me down and say
Can't we be friends
I acted like a kid out of school
What a fool, now I see this is the end
I'll let her turn me down and say
Can't we be friends
Oh what should I give
Though he gave me the air
Why should I cry
He was sigh and wonder why
Yes, I should have seen the signal to stop
What a flop, this is how the story ends
She's gonna turn me down and say
Can't we be friends
What should I give
Though he gave me the air
And why should I cry
He was sigh and wonder why
I should have seen the signal to stop
What a flop, this is how the story ends
I let him turn me down and say
Can't we be, can't we be, can't we be
Can't we be, can't we be, can't we be friends
Oh yes
The lyrics of Can't We Be Friends by Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong speaks about a love story that seems to be coming to an end. The singer had found the man of her dreams, but she realizes that it is not going to work out. The man is going to turn her down and says the phrase that the song is named after, "Can't we be friends?" She is upset as she thought for once it couldn't go wrong and she could trust this man. However, she realizes that he played a game without shame and has to accept the fact that they can't be together.
The lyrics speak of the pain of love, the disappointment of realizing that someone isn't who you thought they were, and the yearning for a relationship that can't be saved. The singers use their voices to convey the emotions of the lyrics, with Ella Fitzgerald's voice showing the sadness and disappointment, and Louis Armstrong's voice showing a yearning for the relationship to work out. Overall, the song is about the pain that comes with falling out of love and accepting that the relationship cannot be saved.
Line by Line Meaning
I thought I'd found the man of my dreams
I believed that I had met the perfect partner for me
Now it seems, this is how the story ends
Unfortunately, it appears that the relationship is coming to an end
He's going to turn me down and say
I anticipate that he will reject me and suggest that we just be friends
I thought for once it couldn't go wrong
I had high hopes that everything was going well between us
Not for long, I can see the way this ends
However, it is becoming clear to me that things will not work out
Never again, through with love
I am done with relationships and finding love
Through with men
In particular, I am finished with dating men
They play their game without shame
Men often manipulate and deceive women without remorse
And who's to blame
It is unclear who is at fault for the breakdown of a relationship
Yes, I thought I knew the wheat from the chaff
I believed I could distinguish between who was genuine and who was not
What a laugh, this is how our story ends
But now, it is ironic how our relationship is ending
Oh what should I give
What should I offer or sacrifice in this situation?
Though he gave me the air
Despite him dismissing or abandoning me
Why should I cry
Why should I shed tears for someone who does not value me?
He was sigh and wonder why
He will ultimately regret his decision to let me go
I acted like a kid out of school
I behaved foolishly and naively in the relationship
What a fool, now I see this is the end
Now it is clear how foolish I was to believe this relationship had a future
I'll let her turn me down and say
I am prepared to accept rejection and the suggestion of just being friends
Yes, I should have seen the signal to stop
I realize now that there were warning signs that the relationship would not last
What a flop, this is how the story ends
How disappointing that this is how our relationship concludes
Can't we be, can't we be, can't we be friends
Is there a way that we can continue some form of relationship or friendship despite our romantic feelings not working out?
Oh yes
Expressing agreement, or perhaps resignation, to the idea of being friends instead of lovers
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Kay Swift, Paul James
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dianeshebilske509
Sorry, Y. N., I looked this up here is a list of the musicians on this excellent album:
Louis Armstrong - vocals, trumpet
Ella Fitzgerald - vocals
Oscar Peterson - piano
Ray Brown - bass
Herb Ellis - guitar
Buddy Rich - drums
Buddy Bregman - Arranger / Conductor
@17_haninoviani91
I thought I'd found the man of my dreams
Now it seems, this is how the story ends
He's going to turn me down and say
Can't we be friends
I thought for once it couldn't go wrong
Not for long, I can see the way this ends
He's going to turn me down and say
Can't we be friends
Never again, through with love
Through with men
They play their game without shame
And who's to blame
I thought I'd found a man I could trust
What a bust, this is how the story ends
He's going to turn me down and say
Can't we be friends
Yes, I thought I knew the wheat from the chaff
What a laugh, this is how our story ends
I'll let her turn me down and say
Can't we be friends
I acted like a kid out of school
What a fool, now I see this is the end
I'll let her turn me down and say
Can't we be friends
Oh what should I give
Though he gave me the air
Why should I cry
He was sigh and wonder why
Yes, I should have seen the signal to stop
What a flop, this is how the story ends
She's gonna turn me down and say
Can't we be friends
What should I give
Though he gave me the air
And why should I cry
He was sigh and wonder why
I should have seen the signal to stop
What a flop, this is how the story ends
I let him turn me down and say
Can't we be, can't we be, can't we be
Can't we be, can't we be, can't we be friends
Oh yes
@sorenkarlsson6279
Ella and Louis are a wonderful couple who complement each other in every way, even in this nice song. They are soooooo good!
@alkaseltzer84
Sören Karlsson Yes!! like butter on bread!!
@benji6b
The harmonies at the end are magnificent 3:38
@jaceyjacobs4013
And this, kids, is why you should actually talk to your crush
@RachelBrillgabby
I can't be friends with him anymore
@Official_Kezzie
Your right.
But I, you see, am your average teenager.
Therefore, in case of logic, I eat ice cream and cover my ears.
@rxmaryjade
He still don't want me 🤣🤣🤣
@set1237
What a comment. Haha.
@apimpnamedslickback2634
W
@SuperPaola1963
Wonderful couple!!! I love Ella and Louis forever.