Solitude
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong Lyrics

Ella Fitzgerald's song "Solitude" explores the profound feeling of loneliness and the haunting memories of those we have loved and lost. The opening lines, "In my solitude, you haunt me with dreadful ease of days gone by," suggest that the singer is alone and struggling with painful memories of a past love. The second stanza goes on to describe the overwhelming feeling of sadness and desperation as the singer sits alone in their chair, practically consumed with despair. The third stanza continues the sense of hopelessness as the singer realizes that they're reaching a breaking point and feels that they might soon go mad. The repeated refrain of "Dear Lord above, send back my love," echoes the singer's deep yearning for something or someone that is no longer present in their life.

The lyrics create a very powerful mood, one of a deep sense of loss and agony. The use of the word "solitude" in the title encapsulates the feeling of the song so well, as it accurately describes the state of being isolated and alone, often against one's will. Fitzgerald's voice and phrasing perfectly convey the profound and raw emotions lurking beneath the song's melancholic lyrics. The song ends on a slightly desperate note, with the singer pleading to have their lost love returned to them. It is written in a minor key, which is often associated with sadness, and this contributes to its wistful, nostalgic feel.