How Insensitive
Frank Sinatra; Antonio Carlos Jobim Lyrics


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How insensitive
I must have seemed
When she told me that he loved me
How unmoved and cold
I must have seemed
When she told me so sincerely
Why she must have asked
Did I just turn and stare in icy silence
What was I to say
What can you say when a love affair is over

Now she's gone away
And I'm alone with the memory of her last look
Vague and drawn and sad
I see it still
All her heartbreak in that last look
Why she must have asked
Did I just stare in icy silence




What was I to do
What can one do when a love affair is over

Overall Meaning

In Frank Sinatra's song How Insensitive, the lyrics describe the feeling of heartbreak and regret caused by a failed love affair. The singer reflects on his own insensitivity when his lover confesses her love for him, realizing too late that he did not reciprocate her feelings. He describes the moment as one where he appeared unmoved and cold. The singer laments that he did not know how to react and now the love affair is over.


The lyrics also touch on the aftermath of the break-up. The singer is left alone with the memory of their last encounter. He describes her sad, drawn expression that revealed her heartbreak. Again, the singer is at a loss for words and actions. He is resigned to the fact that the love affair has ended, and there is nothing he can do to change it.


The lyrics of How Insensitive are introspective and convey the emptiness and regret felt after a failed love affair. The song's melancholic melody, combined with Sinatra's heartfelt delivery, creates a powerful emotional impact. It's a poignant reminder that sometimes, even when there is love, circumstances prevent relationships from lasting.


Line by Line Meaning

How insensitive
I lacked sensitivity


I must have seemed
I appeared to be


When she told me that he loved me
When she informed me about his love for me


How unmoved and cold
I was emotionless and distant


I must have seemed
I appeared to be


When she told me so sincerely
When she communicated earnestly


Why she must have asked
She probably wondered


Did I just turn and stare in icy silence
Did I merely look at her blankly without speaking


What was I to say
What response should I have given


What can you say when a love affair is over
What do you say when a relationship has ended


Now she's gone away
She has departed now


And I'm alone with the memory of her last look
I am by myself with the recollection of her final expression


Vague and drawn and sad
Unclear, gloomy, and melancholic


I see it still
I still perceive it


All her heartbreak in that last look
All of her sorrow was evident in her final gaze


Why she must have asked
She probably wondered


Did I just stare in icy silence
Did I merely look at her blankly without speaking


What was I to do
What course of action could I have taken


What can one do when a love affair is over
What actions can a person take when a romantic relationship has concluded




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Antonio Carlos Jobim, Norman Gimbel, Vinicius De Moraes

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@arq.ignacioalaniz2772

How insensitive
I must have seemed
When she told me that she loved me
How unmoved and cold
I must have seemed
When she told me so sincerely
Why she must have asked
Did I just turn and stare in icy silence
What was I to say?
What can you say
When a love affair is over?

Now she's gone away
And I'm alone
With a memory of his last look
Vague and drawn and sad
I see it still
All the heartbreak in his last look
How she must have asked,
Did I just turn and stare in icy silence
What was I to say?
What can you say
When a love affair is over...



Read more: Diana Krall - How Insensitive Lyrics | MetroLyrics



@francescocirillo9063

How insensitive
I must have seemed
When she told me that he loved me
How unmoved and cold
I must have seemed
When she told me so sincerely
Why she must have asked
Did I just turn and stare in icy silence
What was I to say
What can you say when a love affair is over

Now she's gone away
And I'm alone with the memory of her last look
Vague and drawn and sad
I see it still
All her heartbreak in that last look
Why she must have asked
Did I just stare in icy silence
What was I to do
What can one do when a love affair is over



@sammie_schl

How insensitive
I must have seemed
When he told me that he loved me
How unmoved and cold
I must have seemed
When he told me so sincerely
Why he must have asked
Did I just turn and stare in icy silence
What was I to say
What can you say
When a love affair is over
Now he's gone away
And I'm alone
With a memory of his last look
Vague and drawn and sad
I see it still
All his heartbreak in his last look
Why, he must have asked
Could I just turn and stare in icy silence
What was I to do
What can one do
When a love affair is over, over



All comments from YouTube:

@rr7firefly

THE Voice in an incomparable pairing with the great Jobim. Those 1960s gave us an incredibly rich inventory of music in several genres, and Bossa Nova was definitely one of its very high points.

@danjasim

Viva a Bossa Nova! Viva Tom Jobim! Viva Sinatra!

@MarkBlackburnWPG

Well put -- in so few well chosen words. But then that's your style, Noe Berengena. Keep it up.

@rr7firefly

@@MarkBlackburnWPG Thanks for your complimentary comment. I love music that actually has a melody and intelligent lyrics. Sometimes at lunch with a friend the music playing at the food place (not always an actual restaurant) becomes an annoying distraction. That foul situation has reached a critical level. I think my preferences come from listening to classical music as a child and to my parents' great collection of the American song book. But I also listen to most music from the 1960s. (Bacharach!)

@Carmenetta

God bless Frank and Jobim , what a wonderful combination. Thank you for the beautiful music. ❤

@ecapessoa8191

Aplausos do Brasil
para MPB bem representada por Tom Jobim e o belo canto de Frank Sinatra!

@robbiereilly

Perfect. Rest in Peace, Norman Gimbel, who wrote the English language lyrics for this wonderful song.

@randallpmcmurphy7501

This is why I drink.

@tudoreluri

Sadness is beautiful!

@markhall5656

You are right but I have to listen so beautiful

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