Things Are Looking Up
Fred Astaire / Ginger Rogers Lyrics


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If I should suddenly start to sing
Or stand on my head or anything
Don't think that I've lost my senses
It's just that my happiness finally commences

The long long ages of dull despair
Are turning into thin air
And it seems that suddenly I've
Become the happiest man alive

Things are looking up
I've been looking the landscape over
And it's covered with 4 leaf clover
Oh things are looking up
Since love looked up at me

Bitter was my cup
But no more will I be the mourner
For I've certainly turned the corner
Oh things are looking up
Since love looked up at me

See the sunbeams
Every one beams
Just because of you
Love's in session
And my depression
Is unmistakably through

Things are looking up
It's a great little world we live in




Oh I'm happy as a pup
Since love looked up at me

Overall Meaning

The song "Things Are Looking Up" performed by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers suggests the joy of love finally being reciprocated. The opening line, "If I should suddenly start to sing, Or stand on my head or anything" implies that the singer is so happy that they may do anything out of the ordinary, and they want to celebrate their newfound happiness. They reassure their audience that they haven't lost their mind, they're just overjoyed. The singer talks about the long years of despair that they've experienced but how suddenly it's been relieved and they are now the happiest person alive.


The chorus is the main theme of the song. The singer is looking around and seeing everything through different eyes, realizing that the world is a beautiful place. The landscape is covered in four-leaf clovers, and everything seems brighter because their love is reciprocated. The bitter cup they had been drinking from is no longer - they don't have to be a mourner anymore. The love they have received has turned everything around, and they are ecstatic about it. The sunbeams all around shine brighter than ever before - just because of their newfound love.


Overall, "Things Are Looking Up" is a joyous song that is meant to make the listener feel happy and hopeful. It conveys the message that even after the darkest times, there is always a chance for happiness, and when love is reciprocated, life feels like an entirely different place.


Line by Line Meaning

If I should suddenly start to sing
Don't be surprised if I express joy in an unusual manner


Or stand on my head or anything
I might behave strangely, but it's because I'm finally happy


Don't think that I've lost my senses
Please don't misunderstand my exuberance


It's just that my happiness finally commences
I'm happy now and my gloom has lifted


The long long ages of dull despair
I've overcome a long period of sadness


Are turning into thin air
My sadness is disappearing


And it seems that suddenly I've
All of a sudden, I feel


Become the happiest man alive
I'm now the happiest I've ever been


Things are looking up
I'm optimistic about the future


I've been looking the landscape over
I've taken stock of my surroundings


And it's covered with 4 leaf clover
Everywhere I look, there's good fortune to be found


Since love looked up at me
I feel this happiness because my love reciprocated my affections


Bitter was my cup
My life wasn't sweet before


But no more will I be the mourner
I won't be sad anymore


For I've certainly turned the corner
I've found a way out of my sadness


See the sunbeams
The world is bright and full of light


Every one beams
Everything is more beautiful than before


Just because of you
I feel this way because of you


Love's in session
This is a time of love and good feelings


And my depression
I've overcome my sadness


Is unmistakably through
I'm no longer sad, undeniably


It's a great little world we live in
The world is wonderful


Oh I'm happy as a pup
I'm very happy, like a young dog


Since love looked up at me
My happiness is due to my love




Lyrics © SONGS MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: GEORGE GERSHWIN, IRA GERSHWIN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@cassieo4337

A Damsel in Distress brought me here. Joan Fontaine dancing to this with Fred was such a treat. Great escapism.

@johnunkerman

Beautifully transferred. Thank you. My 20 YO daughter laughs at how positive and innocent songs were back then. But I keep forcing her to hear them… 😆

@khussein6409

Awesome!

@arthuratkinson5727

I am back to listen again!!!

@ronaldmartin4664

Wow! This is the best!

@arthuratkinson5727

Wow! You got Past Perfect label, I love them!!!

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