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.
Cold Cold Heart
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong Lyrics
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Yet you're afraid each thing I do is just some evil scheme
A memory from your lonesome past keeps us so far apart
Why can't I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold, cold heart?
Another love before my time made your heart sad and blue
And so my heart is paying now for things I didn't do, yes
In anger, unkind words are said that make the teardrops start
In "Cold Cold Heart", Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong sing about trying to win the affection of someone who is guarded due to their past experiences with love. The lyrics express the singer's frustration at their loved one's lack of trust and their struggle to prove their feelings are genuine. The song touches on themes of heartbreak, regret, and the difficulty in moving on from past traumas.
The first verse describes the singer's efforts to prove their love, but their loved one's fear and suspicion create a divide between them. The second verse delves into the root of this fear, suggesting that the loved one has been hurt before and is guarding themselves from further pain. The final lines of both verses express the singer's desire to break down this wall and have their love reciprocated. The chorus provides a poignant refrain, lamenting the loved one's "cold, cold heart" and the singer's inability to thaw it.
Overall, "Cold Cold Heart" is a powerful portrayal of the complexities of human emotion and the struggle to trust and love after experiencing heartbreak. Fitzgerald and Armstrong's soulful voices add depth and emotion to the lyrics, making it a timeless classic that still resonates with listeners today.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, yes, man, I tried so hard, my dear, to show that you're my every dream
I have tried my hardest to let you know that you are everything to me, my love.
Yet you're afraid each thing I do is just some evil scheme
Unfortunately, you have doubts in your mind that everything I do is just a trick or a scheme.
A memory from your lonesome past keeps us so far apart
A painful memory from your past that makes you feel lonely has caused a rift between us and we are struggling to overcome it.
Why can't I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold, cold heart?
I wish I could ease your mind of doubt and make you feel loved again, but it is proving to be a difficult task.
Another love before my time made your heart sad and blue
I know that a love from your past hurt you deeply and left your heart feeling sad and broken.
And so my heart is paying now for things I didn't do, yes
I am suffering now because of mistakes made by someone else in the past and it is taking a toll on my heart and our relationship.
In anger, unkind words are said that make the teardrops start
Sometimes, when we argue, we say things we don't mean that hurt each other and cause tears to flow.
Why can't I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold, cold heart?
It is still my heartfelt desire to bring warmth and tenderness back to your heart, but I feel powerless to do so.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Hank Williams, Sr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind