Berlin, who was Jewish, was one of the few Tin Pan Alley/Broadway songwriters who wrote both lyrics and music for his songs. Although he never learned to read music beyond a rudimentary level, he composed over 3,000 songs. Many of his songs, including "God Bless America", "White Christmas", "Alexander's Ragtime Band", and "There's No Business Like Show Business," left an indelible mark on American music and culture. He produced 17 film scores and 21 Broadway scores, in addition to his individual songs.
On the Avenue: This Year's Kisses
Irving Berlin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I looked around for somebody new
Since my romance, I've kissed one or two
But I'm afraid their kisses won't do
This year's crop of kisses
Don't seem as sweet to me
This year's crop just misses
What kisses used to be
Doesn't seem to have a chance
Even helped by Mister Moon above
This year's crop of kisses
Is not for me
For I'm still wearing last year's love
The lyrics to Irving Berlin's song This Year's Kisses depict the emotions of someone who has just come out of a failed romance and is now trying to move on by kissing other people. The character describes how they didn't cry when their previous romance ended; instead, they looked for someone else to kiss. Although they have kissed a few people since then, they feel that these kisses won't measure up to their past romance. The character bemoans the fact that "this year's crop of kisses" just doesn't seem as sweet as their previous ones. Despite seeking new romance, the character is still wearing "last year's love," indicating that they are not fully over their previous relationship.
The song conveys a sense of yearning for the past, with the character trying to relive a relationship that has already ended. The lyrics also suggest a certain level of disappointment or disillusionment with the possibilities of new romance. Overall, This Year's Kisses is a poignant portrayal of someone trying to move on after a failed relationship, but finding it difficult to recapture the same magic of the past.
Line by Line Meaning
I didn't cry when romance was through
I didn't shed a tear when my love affair ended
I looked around for somebody new
I searched for a replacement lover
Since my romance, I've kissed one or two
I've been intimate with a few people since my last relationship
But I'm afraid their kisses won't do
I'm concerned that the kisses of my recent lovers aren't good enough
This year's crop of kisses
The kisses I've experienced this year
Don't seem as sweet to me
They don't have the same charm as kisses in the past
This year's crop just misses
This year's kisses fall short
What kisses used to be
They can't compare to the kisses I remember from the past
This year's new romance
A new love affair I've begun this year
Doesn't seem to have a chance
It seems like this new relationship is doomed
Even helped by Mister Moon above
Even with the added charm of the moonlight
This year's crop of kisses
The kisses I've experienced in the present year
Is not for me
I'm not satisfied with them
For I'm still wearing last year's love
Because I'm still thinking about my previous relationship
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IRVING BERLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ron E
One of my favorite tunes sung by the young Lady Day. Such a shame the records were only 3-4 minutes long.
Fernando chevarria vucetich
La mejor vocalista de Jazz, siempre la escuchare.
HFritzson
This is as good as it gets. Just superb.
Alan S.
Every era of Lady Day vocals has it unique beauty, but I sorely wish a true benefactor had taken her under their wing during this time to give real support for what little vocal training she still needed, and the will to rise above the evil waiting for her in the future. Can you even imagine?
John Whitehead
Masterpiece Thank You
DeeV8night
I wish I could visit the 20's and 30's...This music reminds me of my Nanny, I thank her for my love of Jazz and Big Band <3
Joan Davis
Delightful...thanks for posting!
Chris Wilson
Hard to imagine now but the nostalgic element would have been missing then.