My Last Affair
Ella Fitzgerald and Her Savoy Eight Lyrics
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Can't you see
What love and romance have done to me?
I'm not the same as I used to be
This is my last affair
Tragedy
Just seems to be the end of me
This is my last affair
Right from the start you took my love
Tore my heart apart
Now there's nothing new to look forward to
My dreams won't come true
So I'll make a vow
No more to love's shrine will I bow
I've crossed my heart and I'll seal it now
This is my last affair
[Chorus]
I say, tragedy
Just seems to be the end of me
My happiness is misery
This is my last affair
Right from the start you took my love
Tore my heart apart
Now there's nothing new to look forward to
My dreams won't come true
So I'll make a vow
No more to love's shrine will I bow
I've crossed my heart and I'll seal it now
This is my last affair
This is my last affair
Ella Fitzgerald's song My Last Affair was written by Haven Johnson and Paul Case, and first recorded by John Hurt in 1926. The song follows a mournful, elegant and jazzy tune that dominates Ella Fitzgerald's recordings. The first verse of the song, in particular, sets the mood and tone for the entire piece. The lyrics paint a picture of a lover who has been left heartbroken and shattered from a past relationship. She feels that she has given everything to love but that it has only led her to misery and her dreams of romance have become unattainable.
The song's chorus, "Can't you see what love and romance have done to me?" perfectly demonstrates the devastation the singer has experienced. The song is one of heartbreak and regret as the singer expresses the disappointment and disillusion that she has been left with after giving all her love and devotion to a failed relationship. Despite the sorrow and bleak outlook, there is a sense of acceptance that the singer has reached the end of this particular path and will never look back.
My Last Affair has since become one of Ella Fitzgerald's signature songs, and it is easy to see why. The way she presents the lyrics with her distinctive velvety voice along with the slow jazz tune makes the song unforgettable. In summary, the song portrays the end of love with no hope for future endeavors.
Line by Line Meaning
Can't you see
Are you blinded to the changes in me?
What love and romance have done to me?
How they have transformed me into a person I no longer recognize?
I'm not the same as I used to be
I have undergone a transformation since you've been gone.
This is my last affair
A warning to not take for granted my loyalty and love.
Tragedy
Misfortunes crush and destroy me.
Just seems to be the end of me
Seems like misery is all that's left.
My happiness is misery
What used to bring me joy, brings me pain.
Right from the start you took my love
From the beginning, you took advantage of my love.
Tore my heart apart
Which resulted in me feeling heartbroken.
Now there's nothing new to look forward to
There is no excitement or happiness in my future.
My dreams won't come true
The future I envisioned is no longer possible.
So I'll make a vow
To make a promise to myself.
No more to love's shrine will I bow
I won't allow myself to be a slave to love anymore.
I've crossed my heart and I'll seal it now
To promise solid, permanent change.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Haven Johnson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind