A Foggy Day
Keely Smith/Louis Prima/Sam Butera/Witnesses Lyrics
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Out of town were the people I knew
I had that feeling of self-pity
What to do? What to do? What to do?
The outlook was decidedly blue
But as I walked through the foggy streets alone
It turned out to be the luckiest day I've known
Had me low and had me down
I viewed the morning with alarm
The British Museum had lost its charm
How long, I wondered, could this thing last?
But the age of miracles hadn't passed,
For, suddenly, I saw you there
And through foggy London Town
The sun was shining everywhere.
The opening lines of "A Foggy Day" explore the universal feeling of loneliness that can come from being in an unfamiliar place, as the singer describes feeling like a stranger in the city with no one to turn to. They are experiencing a sense of self-pity, not knowing how to lift themselves out of their doldrums. However, as they venture out into the foggy streets alone, something unexpected happens – they have a stroke of good fortune, and it turns out to be the luckiest day they've ever had. The foggy day in London serves as a metaphor for the singer's sense of isolation and despair, which is ultimately lifted by the serendipitous encounter they have with someone else amidst the fog. The song celebrates the idea that even when things seem bleak, there is always the possibility of something wonderful happening.
As the song goes on, the singer shares more details about their experience in London, describing how they felt low and downcast as they viewed the morning through bleary eyes. Even the famous British Museum, which could be expected to lift someone's spirits, held no appeal for the singer. They wondered how long they could continue feeling this way, but then something miraculous happened – they saw the person who would turn their day around. This sudden shift in mood is reflected in the lyrics' imagery: despite the continuing fog, the sun appears to shine everywhere as a result of this chance encounter. The song celebrates the power of human connection to lift us out of our own minds and remind us of the joy and wonder in the world around us.
Line by Line Meaning
I was a stranger in the city
I found myself in a new place with unfamiliar faces
Out of town were the people I knew
None of my friends or family were there to keep me company
I had that feeling of self-pity
I was wallowing in my negative emotions
What to do? What to do? What to do?
I was at a loss for how to improve my situation
The outlook was decidedly blue
Everything seemed bleak and hopeless
But as I walked through the foggy streets alone
Despite my loneliness and uncertainty, I forged ahead
It turned out to be the luckiest day I've known
Things took a turn for the better, and I felt fortunate for my experience
A foggy day in London Town
The setting of the story, a misty location in England's capital
Had me low and had me down
The foggy atmosphere was putting me in a downcast mood
I viewed the morning with alarm
Even the start of a new day felt uncomfortable and frightening
The British Museum had lost its charm
Even a well-regarded tourist attraction held no appeal for me in my current state
How long, I wondered, could this thing last?
I questioned how much longer I would feel so unhappy and uncertain
But the age of miracles hadn't passed,
Despite my pessimism, there was still hope for something positive to occur
For, suddenly, I saw you there
A person entered the scene, bringing an unexpected element to the story
And through foggy London Town
Despite the fog, the person was able to make their presence known
The sun was shining everywhere.
The person brought a new sense of warmth and light to the previously dull and chilly environment
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind