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.
St. Louis Blues
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The evening sun go down
I hate to see
The evening sun go down
It makes me think, oh
On my last lone round
Feelin' tomorrow
Feelin' tomorrow
Like I feel today
I'll pack my dreams
And make my getaway
St. Louis woman
With her diamond rings
Pulls my man around
By her apron strings
Wasn't for powder
And his store-bought hair
The man I love
Wouldn't go nowhere, nowhere
I got the St. Louis blues
Just as blue as I can be
He's got a heart that's like a
Rock cast in the sea
Or else he wouldn't have gone
So, so far from me
In the song "St. Louis Blues" by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, the lyrics describe the pain and longing of the singer as they watch the evening sun set. The singer hates to see the sun go down because it reminds them of their loneliness and isolation. They pack their dreams and plan to run away, feeling tomorrow as they do today. This reflects the singer's hopelessness and lack of direction.
The song then introduces the character of a woman from St. Louis, who is described as having diamond rings and controlling the singer's man with her apron strings. However, the only reason the man is drawn to this woman is because of external factors like powder and store-bought hair. The singer implies that the man they love wouldn't leave them if it weren't for these superficial things. The song ends with the singer lamenting their loss and the love that has slipped away from them.
Line by Line Meaning
I hate to see
I feel sad when I see
The evening sun go down
the sun setting in the evening
It makes me think, oh
It reminds me of
On my last lone round
my last journey alone.
Feelin' tomorrow
I have a feeling
Like I feel today
the same feeling that I have today
I'll pack my dreams
I will take my hopes
And make my getaway
and leave.
St. Louis woman
A woman from St. Louis.
With her diamond rings
She has expensive jewelry.
Pulls my man around
She manipulates my man.
By her apron strings
She has control over him.
Wasn't for powder
If it weren't for his illegal business.
And his store-bought hair
and his fake hair
The man I love
The man I care for
Wouldn't go nowhere, nowhere
wouldn't leave me.
I got the St. Louis blues
I am feeling sad because of my situation in St. Louis.
Just as blue as I can be
I am extremely sad
He's got a heart that's like a
The man I love has a heart that is as hard as a
Rock cast in the sea
rock found on the ocean floor.
Or else he wouldn't have gone
Otherwise he wouldn't have left
So, so far from me
This far away from me
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Peermusic Publishing, HANDY BROTHERS MUSIC CO.,INC., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: William Christopher Handy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@robertmickleburgh1092
My Dad played trombone for Louis on a few occasions when Louis came to England and called Dad up to play and once in Nice jazz festival. He said to Dad ' you play just like my boy Jack' (Teagarden). This comment from Louis was probably the highlight in Dad's jazz career of approximately 70 years. Dad is now 96 and is currently recovering from double pneumonia in hospital with the help of great nursing at Bath Royal United hospital, antibiotics for the body and lashings of Louis being played in his ear for the soul ! Thanks Louis for literally bringing Dad back from the precipis. miracles do happen!
@GReYSTOKE2012
lOUIS SAYS ..YOU'RE WELCOME!
@Django44
Your father could not have had a stronger tribute. God speed his recovery - Pops' music will help him along the way.
@ellenmarysullivan6993
god bless him. hope he is doing better
@vova47
Robert Mickleburgh - High praise indeed! Here's to your father's speedy recovery, Robert!
@stanvanderlugt8271
Great story
@hillbillyhippie4235
63 years old, been enjoying this music for 50 years it does not get any better eh ?
@judithrawlins3732
This is fabulous I am very old now but was a vocalist professionaly Al my life fromthe age of 17 and loved to be able to sing to thislouis Armstrong St Louis I've been in heaven today xxxxx
@Gerardnolan191
Smiles, hi Judith🙂
@VoodooDewey69
Louis is the undisputed King of Jazz.. Everyone needs to go to the french quarter at least once in their life Go down to Jackson square and hear all the brass bands .Theres no place in the world like it ..While your there get a bowl of real Nola gumbo .😎