Don't Be That Way
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong Oscar Peterson Herb Ellis Ray Brown Louis Bellson Lyrics

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April skies are in your eyes
But, darling, don't be blue

Don't cry
Oh, honey, please
Don't be that way

Clouds in the sky

Should never make you feel that way

The rain
Will bring the violets of May
Tears are in vain so, honey, please, don't be that way

As long as we
See it through
You'll have me
I'll have you

Sweetheart
Tomorrow is another day
Don't break my heart
Oh, honey, please, don't be that way

Don't cry
Oh, honey, please
Don't be that way

Clouds in the skies
Should never make you feel that way

The rain
Will bring the violets of May
Tears in vain
So, honey, please, don't be that way

As long as we
Will see it through
You'll have me
And I'll have you

Sweetheart
Tomorrow is another day
Don't break my heart
Oh, honey, please don't be that way

Don't cry
Don't cry, don't cry
Oh, honey, please, don't be that way
Oh, honey, please, don't be that way
Clouds in the sky
Dig those crazy sky
Should never make you feel that way
So don't be that way
Dig the rain
Pitter, pitter, pitter, pitter-patter
Bring the violets of may
Pitter-patter of rain drops
Tears in vain
Tears, tears
So, honey, please don't be that way
Don't be that way

As long as we
Will see it through
Oh, baby, you'll have me
And I'll have you
Sweetheart

Tomorrow is another day
Tomorrow is another day
Don't break my heart

Oh, honey, please, don't be that way
Looky here, baby, don't cry
Oh, honey, please, don't be that way
Clouds in the sky

Should never make you feel that way
Yeah, don't cry
Honey, please, don't be that way

Clouds in the sky

Oh, honey, please, don't be that way
No, I'll never be that way

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Don't Be That Way" are a plea to a lover who seems to be feeling down or discouraged. The singer is noticing that the person they care about has "April skies" in their eyes, meaning a look of sadness or disappointment. However, the singer wants to cheer them up and prevent them from feeling that way any longer. They encourage their lover not to cry or be "blue," even if there are clouds in the sky. The singer believes that rain will eventually bring the violets of May, meaning that even if things look bleak now, they will improve with time. They urge their lover not to waste tears because it won't help the situation. Instead, they should focus on the fact that they have each other and that tomorrow is another day. The song ends with the singer pledging that they will never be the type of person who brings their lover down.

Overall, the song suggests that even in difficult times, it's important to hold onto hope and to support and uplift the people we care about. It acknowledges that there will be sadness and disappointment in life, but encourages us to take comfort in the fact that we have people we love to share our lives with.

Line by Line Meaning

April skies are in your eyes
You have a sad look on your face

But, darling, don't be blue
But don't be sad, my love

Don't cry
Please don't shed tears

Oh, honey, please
Oh, darling, please

Clouds in the sky
Overhead clouds

Should never make you feel that way
Should never make you feel sad or down

The rain
Rainfall

Will bring the violets of May
Will bring forth the flowers of spring

Tears are in vain so, honey, please, don't be that way
Crying will not change anything, darling please don't be sad

As long as we
As long as we stay together

See it through
Stay committed until the end