Auld was born in Toronto, but lived in the United States from the late 1920s onward, and was most noteworthy for his work with Bunny Berigan, Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, Erroll Garner, Dizzy Gillespie, Al Porcino, Billy Eckstine, Tiny Kahn, Frank Rosolino, and many others. Primarily a swing saxophonist, he did many big band stints in his career and led several big bands, including Georgie Auld and His Orchestra and Georgie Auld and His Hollywood All Stars. Georgie Auld also played some rock'n'roll working for Alan Freed in 1959.
In 1977 he played a bandleader in the box-office failure New York, New York and also acted as a technical consultant for the film.
I'm Always Chasing Rainbows
Georgie Auld Lyrics
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Watching clouds drifting by
My schemes are just like all my dreams
Ending in the sky
Some fellows look and find the sunshine
I always look and find the rain
Some fellows make a winning sometimes
I never even make a gain Believe me, I'm always chasing rainbows
Waiting to find a little bluebird in vain
I'm always chasing rainbows
Watching clouds drifting by
My schemes are just like all my dreams
Ending in the sky
Some fellows look and find the sunshine
I always look and find the rain
Some fellows make a winning sometimes
I never even make a gain
Believe me, I'm always chasing rainbows
Georgie Auld's song "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows" is a wistful and melancholic tune where the singer laments his unfulfilled dreams and hopes never being realized. The metaphorical rainbow signifies the impossible dream of achieving something that seems so close but always just out of reach. The opening lines about chasing rainbows and watching clouds drifting by indicate that the character is prone to dreaming rather than action, never really in control of his destiny.
The lines "My schemes are just like all my dreams, ending in the sky" suggest that his ideas and plans never come to fruition, never becoming anything tangible. In contrast to "some fellows" who are successful, he is always chasing something that is just out of his grasp. The use of "never even make a gain" emphasizes the character’s feeling of futility; he has never had success, and yet he continues to pursue his dreams like a dog chasing its tail.
The line "Waiting to find a little bluebird in vain" refers to a common myth of a bluebird bringing happiness, which represents the character's futile search for happiness amid his unfulfilled aspirations. The song has a hopeful tone despite its melancholy nature since the character never gives up hope, continuing to chase rainbows despite his disappointments. Though it highlights the futility of chasing dreams, it does not entirely omit the hope, which can be seen as an essential quality of human nature.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm always chasing rainbows
I am constantly pursuing something that appears beautiful and promising, but is intangible and impossible to catch.
Watching clouds drifting by
Observing the constantly changing and impermanent nature of the world.
My schemes are just like all my dreams
My plans and ambitions are just as elusive and ephemeral as my unconscious desires.
Ending in the sky
Failing to materialize or come to fruition, as they are ungrounded and fanciful.
Some fellows look and find the sunshine
Some people choose to focus on the positive and pleasant aspects of life, and are successful at doing so.
I always look and find the rain
I tend to see the negative and unpleasant aspects of life, and am unsuccessful at finding joy or success.
Some fellows make a winning sometimes
Some people are occasionally successful in achieving their goals or aspirations.
I never even make a gain
I am never successful or fulfilled in my pursuits, and my efforts are seemingly for nothing.
Believe me, I'm always chasing rainbows
Trust me when I say that I am constantly pursuing something that is unattainable and will ultimately lead to disappointment.
Waiting to find a little bluebird in vain
Hoping to discover a harbinger of happiness or good fortune, but doing so in vain and without success.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HARRY CARROLL, JOSEPH JOE MC CARTHY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind