<… Read Full Bio ↴Gary Bartz (born in 1940) is an American alto and soprano saxophonist.
Since graduating from The Juilliard School he has worked with Charles Mingus, Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers, Miles Davis, McCoy Tyner, Max Roach, and Jackie McLean, as well as performing and recording with his own groups, among them the Gary Bartz NTU Troop, which combined soul, funk, African folk music, hard bop, and avant-garde jazz.
In 2005, Bartz won a Grammy for playing on McCoy Tyner's album Illuminations.
He currently teaches at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music when not touring.
But not for me
Gary Bartz Lyrics
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Never tell me dreams come true
Just try it and I'll start a riot
Beatrice Fairfax don't you dare
Ever tell me he will care
I'm certain it's the final curtain
I never want to hear from any cheerful Pollyannas
Who tell you fate supplies a mate
They're writing songs of love but not for me
A lucky star's above but not for me
With love to lead the way I've found more clouds of gray
Than any Russian play could guarantee
I was a fool to fall and get that way
Hi-ho, alas, and also lack-a-day
Although I can't dismiss the memory of his kiss
I guess he's not for me
I was a fool to fall and get that way
Hi-ho, alas, and also lack-a-day
Although I can't dismiss the memory of his kiss
The Gary Bartz song "But not for me" is a melancholic and introspective jazz ballad about unrequited love. The song opens with the singer addressing "Old Man Sunshine," lamenting that he never agrees with the idea of dreams coming true. The singer then turns his attention to "Beatrice Fairfax," warning her not to suggest that the object of his affections will ever care for him. He is convinced that the relationship is over and that he has seen the final curtain come down. The singer expresses his distaste for optimistic individuals who believe fate will supply them with a perfect match, describing such a notion as "bananas."
The song's title echoes throughout the entire song, underscoring the singer's realization that the world may be full of love songs, but love is not meant for him. The singer wishes for a "lucky star" to shine down on him, but it never happens, and he is left to face a gray existence, representing the bleakness and sadness of his life. He reflects on his foolishness in falling for someone who could never reciprocate his feelings, and yet he is unable to forget the memory of his lover's kiss.
Line by Line Meaning
Old man sunshine listen you
Hey, Mr. Sunshine, listen up
Never tell me dreams come true
Don't tell me that my dreams will come true
Just try it and I'll start a riot
If you try to convince me, I'll get really upset
Beatrice Fairfax don't you dare
Don't even try to tell me, Beatrice Fairfax
Ever tell me he will care
That he will care for me, because I know it's not true
I'm certain it's the final curtain
I'm sure that my chance with him is over
I never want to hear from any cheerful Pollyannas
I don't want to hear from anyone who is overly optimistic
Who tell you fate supplies a mate
Who says that fate will bring the right person to you
It's all bananas
It's all nonsense
They're writing songs of love but not for me
Love songs are being written, but they're not for me
A lucky star's above but not for me
Even though there may be a lucky star above, it's not shining on me
With love to lead the way I've found more clouds of gray
Despite having love to guide me, I still experience sorrow and disappointment
Than any Russian play could guarantee
More than any dramatic Russian play promises
I was a fool to fall and get that way
I regret falling in love and feeling this way
Hi-ho, alas, and also lack-a-day
An expression of sadness and regret
Although I can't dismiss the memory of his kiss
I can't forget the memory of his kiss
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind