Jimmy Raney began his jazz guitar career very early with the history showing he played in the Jerry Wald band in 1944 at age 17.
In 1946 he worked for a time as guitarist with the Max Miller Quartet at Elmer's in Chicago, his first paying gig. Raney also worked in the Artie Shaw Orchestra and collaborated with Woody Herman for nine months in 1948. He also collaborated and recorded with Buddy DeFranco, Al Haig and later on with Bob Brookmeyer. In 1967 alcoholism and other professional difficulties led him to leave New York City and return to his native Louisville. He resurfaced in the 1970s and also did work with his son Doug, who is also a guitarist. Raney suffered for thirty years from Meniere's Disease, a degenerative condition that eventually led to near complete deafness in both ears. Fortunately, his playing remained unaffected. Raney died of heart failure in Louisville Ky. on May 10th of 1995, just short of his 68th birthday. An obituary in the New York Times referred to Jimmy Raney as 'one of the most gifted and influential postwar jazz guitarists in the world .
Just One of Those Things
Jimmy Raney Lyrics
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Just one of those crazy flings
One of those bells that now and then rings
Just one of those things
It was just one of those nights
Just one of those fabulous flights
A trip to the moon on gossamer wings
If we'd thought a bit before the end of it
When we started painting the town
We'd have been aware that our love affair
Was too hot not to cool down
So goodbye, dear, and amen
Here's hoping we meet now and then
It was great fun
But it was just one of those things
The lyrics to Jimmy Raney's song Just One of Those Things convey the idea of a fleeting, intense romance. The singer suggests that their affair was a "crazy fling" that they didn't see coming, but they couldn't resist the temptation of being swept up in the thrill of the moment. The intensity of the relationship is conveyed through the metaphor of a bell that rings, which suggests that their connection was sudden and powerful, but not necessarily long-lasting. Similarly, the idea of "a trip to the moon on gossamer wings" captures the idea of a surreal, out-of-this-world experience that feels unreal in retrospect.
However, as the lyrics progress, the singer acknowledges that the relationship was likely doomed from the start. If they had just stopped to think for a moment, they might have realized that their love was simply too hot to last. With a sense of resignation, the singer says goodbye to their lover, with the hope that they might meet again in the future. Overall, Just One of Those Things is a song that speaks to the fleeting nature of some romances, and the bittersweet memories that they leave behind.
Line by Line Meaning
It was just one of those things
This was just one of those situations that seem to occur by chance in life and cannot be easily explained.
Just one of those crazy flings
This was a sudden and intense relationship that seemed wild and out of control.
One of those bells that now and then rings
This was one of those rare and unexpected moments when everything seems to fall into place perfectly.
Just one of those things
Once again, this was just one of those strange occurrences that defy explanation.
It was just one of those nights
This was a night that was filled with excitement and adventure, and one that was sure to be remembered for a long time.
Just one of those fabulous flights
This was an experience that was thrilling and exciting, like a journey through the clouds on wings made of gossamer.
A trip to the moon on gossamer wings
Like a journey through space, this experience was filled with wonder and amazement, and seemed almost too incredible to be real.
Just one of those things
Once again, this was just one of those inexplicable events that seem to happen without warning or apparent reason.
If we'd thought a bit before the end of it
If we had taken a step back and considered the situation more carefully, we might have seen the eventual outcome more clearly.
When we started painting the town
When we began to go out and experience all the excitement that the city had to offer.
We'd have been aware that our love affair
We might have realized that our intense feelings for each other were unlikely to last in the long term.
Was too hot not to cool down
Our passions were so intense that they were unlikely to remain at such a high level indefinitely, and were bound to dissipate over time.
So goodbye, dear, and amen
Although this experience was intense and exciting, it is time to say goodbye and move on with our lives.
Here's hoping we meet now and then
Despite everything that has happened between us, I still hope that we will run into each other occasionally in the future.
It was great fun
Looking back on everything that happened, it is clear that this was a time filled with joy, laughter, and adventure.
But it was just one of those things
Ultimately, this whole experience was just one of those inexplicable events that seem to happen in life, and cannot necessarily be explained or understood, but were unforgettable nonetheless.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: COLE PORTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind