Yesterdays
Hank Jones / Bill Evas / Red Mitchell Lyrics


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Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away
Now it looks as though they're here to stay
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
Suddenly, I'm not half the man I used to be,

There's a shadow hanging over me.
Oh, yesterday came suddenly.
Why she had to go I don't know she wouldn't say.
I said something wrong, now I long for yesterday.

Yesterday, love was such an easy game to play.
Now I need a place to hide away.




Oh, I believe in yesterday.
Mm, mm, mm, mm, mm

Overall Meaning

The song Yesterdays, first composed by Jerome Kern in 1933, is as timeless as it is melancholic, as it captures the agony of a past that may never come back. The version by Hank Jones on piano, Bill Evans on the tenor saxophone, and Red Mitchell on the bass carries the fundamental essence of the song's sentiments. The song begins with a reminiscence of the past and the distance from present issues in the singer’s life. However, this feeling of calm is interrupted soon with the realisation that the problems of yesterday have followed him into today. The singer expresses an undying fondness for yesterday, and this is evident in his repetition of the refrain "Oh, I believe in yesterday" throughout the song. The sudden shift in the singer's life is also visible as he feels like he is not even half the man he used to be, and there seems to be an indistinct shadow hovering over him. He is then convinced that his past has suddenly caught up with him, and he blames himself for his misfortunes. He believes all of these problems he currently faces are the result of something he said or did, that led to the woman he loved leaving him.


The second verse of the song reinforces the idea that the past was more comfortable and more uncomplicated, and the present is more chaotic than ever. The singer longs to be somewhere quiet and alone, where he can escape from his problems. He seeks comfort through the memory of yesterday, but this comfort only makes him feel more alone as he finds no solace in the present. The song ends with a wistful hum, symbolizing the longing for a time when all was easier.


Line by Line Meaning

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away
In the past, I thought my problems were beyond reach.


Now it looks as though they're here to stay
But now it seems they are persistent and constant, and I cannot escape them.


Oh, I believe in yesterday.
I am nostalgic for days gone by that felt simpler, more peaceful, and more hopeful.


Suddenly, I'm not half the man I used to be,
My pain and stress have diminished me and I do not feel like my old self.


There's a shadow hanging over me.
There is a sort of darkness that oppresses me both physically and emotionally.


Oh, yesterday came suddenly.
My situation changed rapidly and unexpectedly, without warning.


Why she had to go I don't know she wouldn't say.
Someone close to me left without giving a clear reason or any explanation at all.


I said something wrong, now I long for yesterday.
Perhaps my words led to the departure mentioned before and I regret them deeply. I want to go back in time so I can set things right.


Yesterday, love was such an easy game to play.
When looking back to simpler times, I remember that even my loving relationships seemed easier and effortless than they do now.


Now I need a place to hide away.
My problems now are so overwhelming that I yearn for a place of safety and seclusion, free from the pressures of the world.


Oh, I believe in yesterday.
Still, despite everything, I hold onto my memories of yesterday and long to go back to those times.


Mm, mm, mm, mm, mm
An expression of unresolved emotions and nostalgia that words fail to capture.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JEROME KERN, OTTO HARBACH

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

@moodylicious

Hmm, Ellen has space set up for her show guests to walk through room which has free gifts offered so each person goes home with a few goodies but a security camera catches a grown woman in the act of stealing. Then Ellen shows this to the viewers.
So, an audience guest ignores the rules; thinks she deserves more gifts than the others who were taking their gifts on the good faith system of honesty, and this woman thinks she is special and entitled to more.
You think Ellen, the host gift-giver is in the wrong for humorously but effectively shaming the chick who thought she was entitled to more than the rest? Interesting.
Ellen D is one of the most kind-hearted most generous people on the planet and generously gives a large portion of what her life's work has afforded her. Are you one of the hater crowd who think actors and musicians do not work hard & don't deserve their wealth?
Many of us really don't get this weird new anti-Hollywood, ant-TV, anti-music mentality. Where did that come from?
The snide and nasty insult on "MZ. Ellen" said all anyone needed to get your drift. You imply she "enjoys demeaning", "enjoys hurting others". You are bigoted, prejudiced and incorrect.
Her philanthropic endeavors include donating millions of dollars to help fight hunger, fight cancer and ending bullying. She launched the Small Change Campaign with Ben Affleck that contributes to fighting hunger throughout the United States. (taken off the internet as is)
One of Ellen's biggest charitable endeavors is the Campus for Rwanda, the community is building that will help educate young people, highlight the life's work of scientist naturalist Dian Fossey in saving the endangered mountain gorilla.
Building the campus is giving thousands of jobs to an impoverished community once under the ruin of violent Poachers. Do you have any idea of the billions Ellen has given to help the poor, the needy and endangered species she care for? Same goes for hundreds of other wealthy actors & musicians who give demonstrably to the disadvantaged. Or those providing musical instruments & theatrical equipment for our kids now deprived of Culture & the Arts due to Republican cuts on Education & Social Programs.
Hm.
Are you among the newly hatched entitled class of people of the anti-social mindset who think anybody should do whatever they damn well please, if they can get away with it!
Society can only succeeds when each person comprehends boundaries, knows the difference between right & wrong, obeys the laws put in place to keep civil order, don't you?
Or do you believe people can take law into their own hands and act as law enforcement, judge & jury by anointing him/herself vigilante?



All comments from YouTube:

@MrRJPE

You're right, I never would have believed a man could fall over a weak fence if it wasn't recorded. What would my life have been like without this video showing me such a profound event.

@jason_kenner

I was thinking the exact same thing. I am blown away by what took place. I did not know that such a phenomenon was possible. Thank goodness for camera's.

@Aesthetic_sweets

Lol oml I laughed so hard at this comment 😂

@pykapuka

Youre so gullible, this didnt really happen! He was actually repairing the fence and they just played the video backwards

@syme9925

@@pykapuka Nah dude. CGI. Its all CGI now.

@obscurelyvague

@@jason_kenner :\

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@kevintucker8803

What's unbelievable is I watched the whole video.

@johndonahue3509

No way...unreal...THE WHOLE VIDEO!!!!!???.. Holy FCKN SHIT?!!!!!

@mahbuba1011991

Thanks for the comment which saved me from even playing the video 😂

@dmaster20ify

I was really looking towards seeing that up skirt

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