Ella Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996), also known as "Lady Ella"… Read Full Bio ↴Ella Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996), also known as "Lady Ella", and the "First Lady of Song", was an American jazz vocalist.

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.

Oh Lady Be Good
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Listen to my tale of woe
it's terribly sad but true
All dressed up, no place to go
Each evening I'm awfully blue
I must win some handsome guy
Can't go on like this
I could blossom out I know
With somebody just like you, so

Oh sweet and lovely
Lady be good
Oh lady be good to me
I am so awfully misunderstood
So lady be good, to me
Oh, please have some pity
I'm all alone in this big city
I tell you I'm just
a lonesome babe in the wood
So lady be good to me

Oh, please have some pity
I'm all alone in this big city
I tell you I'm just
a lonesome babe in the wood
So lady be good to me

Oh, lady be good to me

Overall Meaning

The song "Oh Lady Be Good!" by Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong tells the story of a woman who is feeling lonely and unfulfilled in her life. Despite appearing well-dressed and put-together, she has no place to go each evening and is consistently blue. She longs for love and connection with a handsome man who can bring out the best in her.

Through her lyrics, the woman is expressing vulnerability and a desire for someone to see her worth and cherish her. She is asking for kindness and understanding, as she is feeling misunderstood and alone in a big city. Overall, the song conveys a feeling of hopefulness despite the woman's sadness, as she is optimistic that she will find someone to make her life better.

Line by Line Meaning

Listen to my tale of woe
Please lend me your ear and hear my story of sadness

it's terribly sad but true
Unfortunately, what I am about to tell you is a genuine and disheartening account

All dressed up, no place to go
Despite my best efforts to look presentable, I have nowhere to be or anyone to see

Each evening I'm awfully blue
Every night, I am deeply saddened and downhearted

I must win some handsome guy
I need to attract the attention of a charming and attractive man

Can't go on like this
I cannot continue living in such a despondent and bleak manner

I could blossom out I know
I am confident that I have the potential to flourish and thrive

With somebody just like you, so
If only I had someone like you in my life, I know I would experience the happiness I seek

Oh sweet and lovely
You are kind and charming

Lady be good
Please treat me with kindness

Oh lady be good to me
I implore you to extend your benevolence to me