One For My Baby
Frank Sinatra; Orchestra under the direction of Axel Stordahl Lyrics
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There's no one in the place 'cept you and me
So set 'em' up joe
I got a little story I think you oughtta know
We're drinking my friend
To the end of a brief episode
So make it one for my baby
I know the routine
Put another nickel in that there machine
I'm feeling so bad
Won't you make the music easy and sad
I could tell you a lot
But you gotta to be true to your code
So make it one for my baby
And one more for the road
You'd never know it
But buddy I'm a kind of poet
And I've got a lot of things I want to say
And if I'm gloomy, please listen to me
Till it's all, all talked away
Well, that's how it goes
And joe I know you're gettin' anxious to close
So thanks for the cheer
I hope you didn't mind
My bending your ear
But this torch that I found
It's gotta be drowned
Or it soon might explode
So make it one for my baby
And one more for the road
The lyrics of Frank Sinatra's "One for My Baby" tell the story of a lone drinker sitting at a bar late at night, sharing a drink with the bartender, Joe, as he shares his troubles. The singer is reflective and nostalgic, talking about a "brief episode" that has come to an end. As he drinks and listens to the "easy and sad" music, he reveals that he has a lot of things to say, but he's holding back, being "true to [his] code." The song ends with the singer thanking Joe for listening and drowning his "torch" with one more drink, hoping it will keep him going for "one more for the road."
The song is a ballad that speaks to the listener on a deep emotional level. The lyrics are simple, yet poignant, creating an atmosphere of loneliness, regret, and desperation. Through the singer's words, we feel his pain, his longing, and his desire for something that is now beyond his reach. It's a song for those who have loved and lost, and for those who are still searching for a way to make sense of the world.
Line by Line Meaning
It's quarter to three
It's really late at night
There's no one in the place 'cept you and me
The bar is empty and it's just the singer and the bartender
So set 'em' up joe
Please pour me another drink, Joe
I got a little story I think you oughtta know
I have something on my mind that I need to talk about
We're drinking my friend
We are having a drink together
To the end of a brief episode
To the end of a short period in my life
So make it one for my baby
Please pour one more drink for me
And one more for the road
I need another drink before I leave
I know the routine
I'm familiar with this process
Put another nickel in that there machine
Please play another sad song on the jukebox
I'm feeling so bad
I'm feeling really sad
Won't you make the music easy and sad
Please play some soft, melancholy music
I could tell you a lot
I have a lot of things that I could say
But you gotta to be true to your code
But I have to be true to my principles and values
You'd never know it
You might not suspect it
But buddy I'm a kind of poet
But I consider myself a bit of a poet
And I've got a lot of things I want to say
I have a lot of thoughts and feelings that I need to express
And if I'm gloomy, please listen to me
If I seem down or depressed, please hear me out
Till it's all, all talked away
Until I've expressed everything I need to say
Well, that's how it goes
That's just how life goes sometimes
And joe I know you're gettin' anxious to close
And Joe, I know you want to close up soon
So thanks for the cheer
Thank you for the drinks and the company
I hope you didn't mind
I hope I didn't bother you too much
My bending your ear
Talking your ear off
But this torch that I found
But this flame that I've discovered
It's gotta be drowned
It needs to be put out
Or it soon might explode
Or else it might become too overwhelming
So make it one for my baby
Please pour one more drink for me
And one more for the road
I need another drink before I leave
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DORIS TAUBER, JOHNNY MERCER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind