Karrin Allyson is a Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist on Concord Records.
<… Read Full Bio ↴Karrin Allyson is a Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist on Concord Records.

Allyson projects an instantly recognizable tonal personality, illuminating hidden layers of emotion within songs that are drawn from a vast well of styles and genres—from the blues, contemporary pop, and the Great American Songbook, to the bossa nova, chanson, and the more specialized jazz and bebop repertoire.

What really separates Allyson from her peers is her ability to communicate oceanic emotions with minimal artifice. “The idea of craft permeates her music,” wrote Richard Cook, author of the Penguin Guide to Jazz Records in a 2004 performance review that admirably encapsulates Allyson’s qualities.

“One of the most appealing things about her singing is its lack of mannerism. There are no dopey melismas, nothing of that afflicted gospel soul feel that a lot of younger singers depend on. She doesn’t try anything foolishly acrobatic. Yet in her way, she’s an ambitious and adventurous performer. She sometimes puts in a scat chorus which is done almost diffidently, without showoff contours. She’ll take over a familiar lyric and make it sound fresh by use of quiet touches—sitting back on certain beats, turning away from a big line and highlighting a different one.”

What's New
Karrin Allyson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

What's new
How is the world treating you
You haven't changed a bit
Handsome as ever I must admit

What's new
How did that romance come through
We haven't met since then

Gee but it's nice to see you again

What's new
Probably I'm boring you
But seeing you is grand
And you were sweet to offer your hand
I understand

Adieu
Pardon my asking what's new
Of course you couldn't know
I haven't changed
I still love you so

Adieu
Pardon my asking what's new
Of course you couldn't know

I haven't changed
I still love you so

Overall Meaning

In Karrin Allyson's song "What's New," the lyrics are addressed to a former lover. The singer is curious about what has happened in the other person's life since they last met. They ask how the world has been treating them, and whether they've had any new romantic experiences. Though they haven't seen each other for some time, the singer remarks that the other person looks just the same as before - "handsome as ever." The conversation is somewhat awkward, as the singer assumes that they might be boring the other person with their questions about the past. However, the singer is still happy to see the other person again, and is grateful for their kindness.

The final lines of the song carry a bittersweet tone. The singer says "adieu," as if they are about to say goodbye for good. They mention that the other person could not have known how they felt, and that they haven't changed at all - they still love the other person deeply.

Line by Line Meaning

What's new
What is happening in your life currently?

How is the world treating you
How have you been doing lately, have things been going well?

You haven't changed a bit
You look just as great as the last time I saw you.

Handsome as ever I must admit
You still look as attractive as you did before, I have to say.

How did that romance come through
How was that love affair that we last spoke about?

We haven't met since then
It's been a while since we saw each other last time.

Gee but it's nice to see you again
It's really great to be able to see you again.

Probably I'm boring you
I hope I'm not being tedious or uninteresting.

But seeing you is grand
Just having the chance to see you again is fantastic.

And you were sweet to offer your hand
It was really nice of you to extend your hand in greeting.

I understand
I get it, no need to worry about anything.