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.
It Never Entered My Mind
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong Lyrics
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That I'd be playing solitaire
Uneasy in my easy chair
It never entered my mind
And once you told me I was mistaken
That I'd awaken with the sun
And ordered orange juice for one
You had what I lack, myself
Now I even have to scratch my back myself
Once you warned me that if you scorned me
I'd say a lonely prayer again
And wish that you were there again
To get into my hair again
It never entered my mind
Once you warned me that if you scorned me
I'd say a lonely prayer again
And wish that you were there again
To get into my hair again
It never entered my mind
The lyrics of Ella Fitzgerald's song "It Never Entered My Mind" center around the themes of regret, loneliness, and missed opportunities. Through the use of vivid imagery and personal memories, the artist reflects on the moments in her past when she disregarded the suggestions of a loved one, only to realize later on the potential value of their advice.
The initial lines of the song begin with the singer laughing at a warning given to her by a loved one regarding the dangers of solitude. The singer is unable to grasp the gravity of the message and remains content in her passivity. However, with time, the singer realizes her mistake and regrets her inability to take the advice seriously. The artist, then, juxtaposes it with another instance of her neglectful behavior while further hinting at their lack of self-awareness.
As the song progresses, the artist further reflects on her past relationship, and through imagery, describes a time when her partner warned her of the potential consequences of ignoring their presence. At the time, the singer had once again disregarded their warning, only to realize later on the depths of her loneliness.
Overall, the lyrics of "It Never Entered My Mind" are a reflection of the human tendency to overlook the wise counsel of loved ones, only to regret it later on. Fitzgerald delivers the message poignantly through her rich vocals and the honest portrayal of personal experiences, leaving a lasting impact on the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
Once I laughed when I heard you saying
At one point, I found amusement in hearing you tell me that
That I'd be playing solitaire
You implied that I would be alone and lonely, like in the game of solitaire
Uneasy in my easy chair
You thought I would feel uncomfortable and anxious even in my own relaxed space
It never entered my mind
However, that thought had never occurred to me
And once you told me I was mistaken
You corrected me in the past
That I'd awaken with the sun
You said I would wake up early in the morning with the first light of the day
And ordered orange juice for one
And would only have orange juice for myself
You had what I lack, myself
You possessed something that I did not have
Now I even have to scratch my back myself
I am now alone and have to do everything myself, even the simplest tasks
Once you warned me that if you scorned me
You gave me a warning that if I was rejected by you
I'd say a lonely prayer again
I would be forced to pray alone, feeling lonely
And wish that you were there again
I would desperately yearn for your presence
To get into my hair again
Even if it meant you were bothering me once more
It never entered my mind
Ironically, I never considered that this would happen to me
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind