The One I Love
Ella Fitzgerald and Chick Webb Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My Juliets have been many
But now my roaming days have gone
Too many irons in the fire
Is worse than not having any
I've had my share and from now on
I'm putting all my eggs in one basket
Mama, I'm giving all my love to one baby
Lord help me if my baby don't come through
I've got a great big amount
Saved up in my love account
Honey and I've decided
Love divided in two, won't do
So I'm putting all my eggs in one basket
I'm betting everything I've got on you
I've been a roaming Juliet
My Romeos have been many
But now my roaming days have gone
Too many irons in the fire
Is worse than not having any
I've had my share and from now on
I'm putting all my eggs in one basket
I'm betting everything I've got on you
I'm giving all my love to one baby
Lord help me if my baby don't come through
I've got a great big amount
Saved up in my love account
Honey and I've decided
Love divided in two, won't do
So I'm putting all my eggs in one basket
I'm betting everything I've got on you
I'm putting all my eggs in one basket
I'm betting everything I've got on you
Yes, I'm giving all my love to one baby
Lord help me if my baby don't come through
I've got a great big amount
Saved up in my love account
Yes, honey and I've decided
Love divided in two, won't do
So I'm putting all my eggs in one basket
I'm betting everything I've got on you
I'm betting everything I've got on you
"When I Get Low I Get High" is a somewhat ironic song â it actually bears a joyful and jubilant tune, despite the lyrics dealing with quite the opposite of happiness. The track, recorded in 1936 by Ella Fitzgerald with Chick Webb and His Orchestra, is an ode to overcoming difficulties and finding joy in life no matter what setbacks one faces. Ella's vocal delivery is characterized by playfulness and a bluesy style, which makes the song's message more poignant and accessible.
The opening lines "My fur coat's sold, oh Lord, ain't it cold / But I'm not gonna holler 'cause I still got a dollar" demonstrate the singer's resilience and determination to stay upbeat no matter how hard life might get. The fact that her fur coat was sold means she's broke, but she still clings to her last dollars for survival. Similarly, when her man walked out and left her alone, she doesn't lament her situation but instead threatens to seek revenge if she bumps into him again. The repeated phrase "when I get low, oh, I get high" appears to suggest that the character's way of coping with hard times is to resort to drugs â the high here being a reference to getting stoned. However, given the time when the song was written, this interpretation is entirely speculative.
Line by Line Meaning
My fur coat's sold
Even though I sold my expensive coat and it's cold outside, I won't complain
Oh Lord ain't it cold
It's unbearably cold outside right now
But I'm not gonna holler
Despite the cold and other difficulties, I'm not going to complain
Cause I've still got a dollar
I'm happy with what little money I still have left
And when I get low
Whenever I am feeling down or depressed
Oh, I get high
I turn to drugs to try to escape my problems and feel better
My man walked out
My boyfriend left me
Now you know that ain't right
It's unfair that he left without a good reason or explanation
He better watch out
If I see him again, I might confront him or seek revenge
If I meet him tonight
I might run into him later today
All this hard luck in this town has found me
I've had a lot of bad experiences and unfortunate events happen to me lately
Nobody knows but the troubles are all around me
I haven't told anyone about my problems, but they are affecting me heavily
Oh, I'm all alone
I feel lonely and there is no one around to comfort me
With no one to pet me
I don't have anyone to cuddle or hug me
My old rocking chair
The only companion I have is my rocking chair
Ain't never gonna get me
It won't be enough to comfort me or take away my pain
Cause when I get low
When I'm feeling sad or lonely
Oh, I get high
I turn to drugs as a way to cope and feel better
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Irving Berlin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bigeman25
The Savoy Ballroom. My mother always told us about the times she was in there to dance and dance they did. For a young lady from SC, this was pure heaven. Who knows, Chick and Ella may still be packing the Savoy and momma may still be dancing with joy.
@zeusincoming282
Place been torn down.
@geraldjohnson848
Ella Fitzgerald and Chick Webb. 'Nuff said. "Throwback Thursday: The Classics." Thanks for the post. Blessings
@garyfoster3854
Bill Beason is the drummer on this track.
@WafflerMark
Can't find this at Amazon, so must come to YouTube. It's worth it.
One of the best swing songs ever.
@fabienlonchan
There it is : https://www.amazon.com/Groove-Ella-Fitzgerald/dp/B00004SBTH/ref=sr_1_7?crid=38DOC3DP09FAN&keywords=in+the+groove+ella+fitzgerald&qid=1695389954&sprefix=in+the+groove+ella+fitzgeral%2Caps%2C177&sr=8-7
If you buy it, please do not share a digital copy to any Europeans that can't buy it there, it's forbidden to make and share copy
@johnnyfrisco5354
Brilliant... this music is so full of rhythm and swing... it's exciting, dancing, foot tapping ... a superb performance... and a radio recording too... thank goodness it was not lost... cracking music
@ivh1968
Ella Fitzgerald... Wow.
I love this woman.
@gammer0016
we all do
@UKMikey
The audio quality of these radio broadcasts is superb. Thanks Caldonia's!