She is noted for her elegant interpretations of standards, ballads, and blues. Her characteristic inflections have sometimes prompted comparisons to stylistic devices employed by Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald. Jones' recordings, particularly her debut record (Don't Go To Strangers, 1960), have earned wide admiration in a new generation of listeners.
She had three Grammy nominations, for the Don't Go to Strangers LP in 1960, Save Your Love for Me in 1981, and My Buddy in 1999.
Jones had a musical partnership of more than thirty years with tenor sax player Houston Person, who received equal billing with her. He also produced her albums and served as her manager.
Jones was born in Aiken, South Carolina, and raised in Harlem. She died at the age of 72 from cancer. She was survived by her husband, John Medlock, and a granddaughter.
They Can't Take That Away from Me
Etta Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Though by tomorrow you're gone;
The song is ended, but as the songwriter wrote,
The melody lingers on.
They may take you from me, I'll miss your fond caress.
But though they take you from me, I'll still possess.
The way you wear your hat
The memory of all that
No, no, they can't take that away from me
The way your smile just beams
The way you sing off key
The way you haunt my dreams
No, no, they can't take that away from me
We may never, never meet again
On the bumpy road to love
Still, I'll always, always keep the memory of
The way you hold your knife
The way we danced till three
The way you changed my life
No, no, they can't take that away from me
No, they can't take that away from me
W e may never, never meet again
On the bumpy road to love
Still, I'll always, always keep the memory of
The way you hold your knife
The way we danced till three
The way you changed my life
No, no, they can't take that away from me
No, they can't take that away from me
Can't take that away
Can't take that away from me
The lyrics to Etta Jones's "They Can't Take That Away from Me" convey the sentiment of a loving relationship that is coming to an end. However, even though the two lovers may be separated, the memories they shared will remain etched in their minds forever. The singer expresses this sentiment by emphasizing that the memories of the way her lover wears his hat, sips his tea, beams his smile, and dances will not fade away, even if the physical presence of the lover is no longer present. Essentially, the song is an ode to the idea that the impressions left on us by a loved one are enduring and that even though the relationship may end, the memories remain.
The lyrics are punctuated by a melancholic refrain that reinforces the enduring nature of the memories created by the relationship. The sadness that the singer feels at the prospect of being parted from her lover is palpable throughout the song. However, she also chooses to focus on the positive aspects of their time together rather than dwell on the fact that he will be leaving the very next day.
Line by Line Meaning
Our romance won't end on a sorrowful note, Though by tomorrow you're gone;
Even though our time together may be brief, our romance will not end unhappily.
The song is ended, but as the songwriter wrote, The melody lingers on.
Although our time together may eventually come to an end, the memories and feelings will stay with us.
They may take you from me, I'll miss your fond caress. But though they take you from me, I'll still possess.
Even if circumstances separate us, I will still carry the memories and feelings of our time together.
The way you wear your hat
I remember and appreciate the unique style that you have.
The way your sip your tea
I remember and appreciate the small details of the way you did things, like sipping tea.
The memory of all that
I cherish and remember all the experiences we shared.
The way your smile just beams
I remember and appreciate the beauty and happiness that your smile brought.
The way you sing off key
Even though you may not have been a perfect singer, I remember your unique voice and the joy it brought.
The way you haunt my dreams
Even in my subconscious thoughts, you continue to be a presence in my life.
We may never, never meet again On the bumpy road to love
Even though our romantic journey may have its ups and downs, we may not have the chance to continue it.
Still, I'll always, always keep the memory of
Regardless of what the future holds, I will always cherish the time and memories we shared.
The way you hold your knife, The way we danced till three, The way you changed my life.
I remember and appreciate the unique experiences and ways you impacted and influenced my life.
No, no, they can't take that away from me
Despite any external circumstances, my memories and feelings for you cannot be erased or taken away.
No, they can't take that away from me, Can't take that away, Can't take that away from me
The memories and feelings I have for you are a part of me and will stay with me forever.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., RALEIGH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: Ira Gershwin, George Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
lesbrown331
Always a pleasure listening to her sing. RIP...