Undecided
Ella Fitzgerald With Chick Webb and His Orchestra Lyrics

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First you say you will
And then you won't
And then you say you do
And then you don't
You're undecided now
So what are you gonna do?

First you want to play

And then it's no
And when you say you'll stay
That's when you go
You're undecided now
So what are you gonna do?

I've been sitting on a fence
And it doesn't make much sense
You keep me in suspense
And you know it
Then you promise to return
When you don't
I really burn
I guess I'll never learn
And I show it

If you've got a heart
And if you're kind
Then don't keep us apart
Make up your mind
You're undecided now
So what are you gonna do?

I've been sitting on a fence
And it doesn't make much sense
You keep me in suspense
And know it
You promise to return
And when you don't
I really burn
I guess I'll never learn
And I show it

If you've got a heart
And if you're kind
Then don't keep us apart
Make up your mind

You're undecided now
So what are you gonna do?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Ella Fitzgerald's song, "Undecided," capture the frustration and uncertainty that arises in a romantic relationship when one party can't make up their mind about their feelings. The opening lyrics highlight this indecisiveness - one minute the person says they will, and the next minute they won't, creating confusion and tension in the relationship. This continues throughout the song as the person goes back and forth, leaving the other person sitting on a fence, uncertain of where they stand.

The chorus repeats the line "You're undecided now, so what are you gonna do?" emphasizing the need for the person to make a decision about their feelings and what they want from the relationship. The singer has been left in suspense, waiting for the other person to keep their promises and return, only to be let down again and again. The frustration is evident as the singer realizes they are continually burned and that they may never learn.

The final lines of the song deliver a plea to the other person to make a choice and come to a decision. The singer asks that if the person truly has a heart and is kind, they won't keep them apart and to make up their mind once and for all. The song highlights the importance of communication and the need for transparency in a relationship. Without these qualities, the relationship may continue to be left in an uncertain state, causing frustration and hurt.

Line by Line Meaning

First you say you will
At first, you express your willingness

And then you won't
But then you become hesitant

And then you say you do
Later, you change your mind and agree

And then you don't
Only to reverse yourself again and refuse

You're undecided now
You're still unsure of what to do

So what are you gonna do?
What decision will you eventually make?

First you want to play
You express the desire to have fun

And then it's no
But then you withdraw from the idea

And when you say you'll stay
Later, you claim you'll be present

That's when you go
Only to leave right after

I've been sitting on a fence
I have been in this undecided situation

And it doesn't make much sense
It's an irrational situation

You keep me in suspense
You leave me in this state of ignorance

And you know it
You're aware of it

Then you promise to return
You make a commitment to come back

When you don't
Only to break that promise

I really burn
I feel very hurt and upset

I guess I'll never learn
I keep getting into this same situation

And I show it
My emotions and feelings are evident

If you've got a heart
If you have empathy

And if you're kind
And you're considerate

Then don't keep us apart
Don't let your indecision ruin our relationship

Make up your mind
Decide what you want to do

You're undecided now
You're still uncertain about your decision

So what are you gonna do?
What is your final choice going to be?

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Charles Shavers, Sydney Robin, Zbigniew Jacek Namyslowski

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Lyrics:

First, you say, you do
And then you don't
And then you say, you will
And then you won't

You're undecided now
So what are you gonna do?

Now you want to play
And then it's no
And when you say, you'll stay
That's when you go

You're undecided now
So what are you gonna do?

I've been sitting on a fence
And it doesn't make much sense
'Cause you keep me in suspense
And you know it

Then you promise to return
When you don't, I really burn
Well, I guess, I'll never learn
And I show it

If you've got a heart
And if you're kind
Then don't keep us apart
Make up your mind

You're undecided now
So what are you gonna do?

(Interlude)

I've been sitting on a fence
And it doesn't make much sense
'Cause you keep me in suspense
And you know it

Then you promise to return
When you don't, I really burn
Well, I guess, I'll never learn
And I show it

If you've got a heart
And if you're kind
Then don't keep us apart
Make up your mind

You're undecided now
So what are you gonna do?

Now if you don't love me
I wish you'd say so
I love you so much honey
I just got to know

I'm just a fool for you
What are you gonna do