Fine and Mellow
Eva Cassidy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He treats me so mean
My man don't love me
He treats me so mean
Well he's the lowest man
That I've ever seen
He wears high draped pants
Well he wears high draped pants
Stripes are really yellow
But when he starts to love me
He's so fine and mellow
Love will make you gamble
And stay out all night long
I say love will make you gamble
And stay out all night long
Love will make you do things
You always thought was wrong
But if you treat me right baby
I'll stay home every day
Said if you treat me right baby
I'll stay home every day
But you're so doggone mean
I just know you're gonna drive me away
But if you treat me right baby
I'll stay home every day
Said if you treat me right baby
I'll stay home every day
But you're so doggone mean
I just know you're gonna drive me away
Love is like a faucet
It turns off and on
I said love is like a faucet
It turns off and on
Just when you think it's on baby
It's turned off and gone
The lyrics of Eva Cassidy's "Fine and Mellow" are a melancholy commentary on a lover who is unfaithful and unkind. The singer laments the fact that despite how poorly she is treated, she still loves him deeply. She describes her man as "the lowest man" she's ever seen, a man who wears "high draped pants" with "stripes that are really yellow." This image is likely supposed to put us in mind of a man who is trying too hard to be fashionable or cool, someone who is not comfortable in his own skin.
Despite the unkindness of her lover, Cassidy's character still manages to find moments of true bliss in their relationship. When this man loves her, she says, he is "so fine and mellow." This suggests that even though he is not the perfect lover, there are still moments of tenderness and affection between them that make it hard for her to walk away. In the final verse of the song, the singer reflects on the nature of love itself, suggesting that it is something that can be turned on and off like a faucet, and that it is never entirely predictable or stable.
Overall, "Fine and Mellow" is a poignant reminder of the complex, often painful nature of human relationships, and of the fact that even in the midst of heartbreak and disappointment, there can still be moments of joy and tenderness.
Line by Line Meaning
My man don't love me
The singer's partner doesn't feel affection for them
He treats me so mean
Her partner acts cruel toward her
Well he's the lowest man
The singer thinks her partner is a terrible human being
That I've ever seen
She believes her partner is the worst person she's come across
He wears high draped pants
Her partner wears unusual clothing
Stripes are really yellow
His pants are brightly colored
But when he starts to love me
Despite his faults, when he shows love towards her...
He's so fine and mellow
...he is kind and gentle
Love will make you gamble
When you're in love, you'll take risks
And stay out all night long
You might spend all night away from home
Love will make you do things
Love can lead you to actions you'd normally avoid
You always thought was wrong
Even if you believed they were morally incorrect
But if you treat me right baby
However, if her partner behaves well...
I'll stay home every day
...she'll be loyal and not go out unnecessarily
Said if you treat me right baby
Repeating her statement to ensure her partner understands
But you're so doggone mean
But unfortunately, he is horribly cruel
I just know you're gonna drive me away
The artist is convinced her partner's behavior will push her away
Love is like a faucet
The nature of love is unpredictable
It turns off and on
Like a tap that alternatively provides and stops the flow of water
Just when you think it's on baby
Just when you believe love is present and stable...
It's turned off and gone
...it vanishes and disappears
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BILLIE HOLIDAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
G. Neault
My man don't love me
He treats me so mean
My man don't love me
He treats me so mean
Well he's the, lowest man
That I've ever seen
He wears high trimmed pan
Stripes are really yellow
Well he wears high trimmed pan
Stripes are really yellow
But when he starts to love me
He's so fine and mellow
Love will make you gamble
And stay out all night long
Love will make you gamble
And stay out all night long
Love will make you do things
You always thought was wrong
But if you treat me right baby
I'll stay home everyday
Said if you treat me right baby
I'll stay home everyday
But you're so darned mean
I just know you're gonna drive me away
But if you treat me right baby
I'll stay home everyday
Said if you treat me right baby
I'll stay home everyday
But you're so darned mean
I just know you're gonna drive me away
Love is like a faucet
It turns off and on
Love is like a faucet
It turns off and on
Sometimes when you think it's on baby
It's turned off and gone
Tonia Marchesiello
Thanks so much for sharing Eva's special gifts and music with the world, that's such a great fortune for me and I'm sure for so many other people 👍👌👏✌🙏🙏🙏🎼💞🎸💝🎤💞🎼
Luis Fraire
Yes ! Absolutely a great voice.! You own us a big band recording ! #1
Joseph Charbonneau
She was so very amazing!!! Angel princess she is!!! TY SO MUCH FOR SHARING!!! 🥀🌹🌷😍
Polish issues
💋💋💋💋💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💙🎵🌼🌸🎤🎶🎧🎧🎧🎧❣️❣️♥️♥️♥️💟🙏🏻🇵🇱🎙️🎵 loved it! Rock it Eva.
Luis Fraire
Angel voice !
yg lee
Thanks so much for great album and great voice
Sheila Barron
Yes Yes Yes Rest in ☮️ Eva♥️
G. Neault
My man don't love me
He treats me so mean
My man don't love me
He treats me so mean
Well he's the, lowest man
That I've ever seen
He wears high trimmed pan
Stripes are really yellow
Well he wears high trimmed pan
Stripes are really yellow
But when he starts to love me
He's so fine and mellow
Love will make you gamble
And stay out all night long
Love will make you gamble
And stay out all night long
Love will make you do things
You always thought was wrong
But if you treat me right baby
I'll stay home everyday
Said if you treat me right baby
I'll stay home everyday
But you're so darned mean
I just know you're gonna drive me away
But if you treat me right baby
I'll stay home everyday
Said if you treat me right baby
I'll stay home everyday
But you're so darned mean
I just know you're gonna drive me away
Love is like a faucet
It turns off and on
Love is like a faucet
It turns off and on
Sometimes when you think it's on baby
It's turned off and gone
Margareth Carl
❤️🌷😘
Brenda Groehler
😎 🎶