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.
Someone To Watch Over Me
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong Lyrics
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Still we're often told, "seek and ye shall find"
So I′m going to seek a certain lad I've had in mind
Looking everywhere, haven't found him yet
He′s the big affair I cannot forget
Only man I ever think of with regret
Tell me, where is the shepherd for this lost lamb?
There's a somebody I′m longin' to see
I hope that he, turns out to be
Someone who′ll watch over me
I'm a little lamb who′s lost in the wood
I know I could, always be good
To one who'll watch over me
Although he may not be the man some
Girls think of as handsome
To my heart he carries the key
Won't you tell him please to put on some speed
Follow my lead, oh, how I need
Someone to watch over me
The lyrics to Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong's song "Someone To Watch Over Me" speak to the universal desire for companionship and love. The singer expresses their longing for a certain man they've had in mind, noting that they have not yet found him despite looking everywhere. This man is the "big affair" they cannot forget and the only one they think of with regret. The desire for intimacy and connection is further emphasized when the singer expresses their wish to add his initial to their monogram, a clear symbol of ownership and commitment. However, the singer also reveals vulnerability and a sense of inadequacy, describing themselves as a "little lamb" lost in the wood who needs someone to watch over them.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a saying old, says that love is blind
There is an old saying that love does not discriminate.
Still we're often told, "seek and ye shall find"
However, we are often encouraged to continue to look for love.
So I'm going to seek a certain lad I've had in mind
Therefore, I will keep searching for a specific man that I have been thinking of.
Looking everywhere, haven't found him yet
I have searched everywhere for him, but he still eludes me.
He's the big affair I cannot forget
This man is the love of my life, and I cannot forget about him.
Only man I ever think of with regret
He is the only man that I regret not being able to be with.
I'd like to add his initial to my monogram
I am so infatuated with him that I want to include his initial in my own monogram.
Tell me, where is the shepherd for this lost lamb?
I feel like a lost lamb without him; I need somebody to guide me to him.
There's a somebody I'm longin' to see
There's a certain someone that I am yearning to meet.
I hope that he, turns out to be
I hope that he will be the one that I have been searching for.
Someone who'll watch over me
The man I am searching for will act as a protector for me.
I'm a little lamb who's lost in the wood
I feel helpless and vulnerable without him, like a lost lamb in a forest.
I know I could, always be good
I am certain that I can be a good partner to him.
To one who'll watch over me
I am searching for a partner who will care for me and protect me.
Although he may not be the man some girls think of as handsome
He might not be what some people traditionally think of as physically attractive to women.
To my heart he carries the key
However, he has the key to my heart.
Won't you tell him please to put on some speed
I am calling out for help in finding him, asking someone else to aid me in my search.
Follow my lead, oh, how I need
I am asking the person to follow my lead in finding him as I am incapable of doing it myself.
Someone to watch over me
In the end, all I need is someone to look after me and ensure my safety and happiness.
Writer(s): Gershwin George, Gershwin Ira
Contributed by Kayla G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.