Melancholy Serenade
King Curtis Lyrics


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Melancholy serenade every time I hear it played
Right out of space your haunting face appears

There were other serenades broken promises we made
Why must I pay day after day with tears

Alone in my room I watch the ghost of you
Alone in the gloom once more I'm close to you

Melancholy serenade as the music starts to fade
I feel your kiss and then you disappear

Alone in the gloom once more I'm close to you





Melancholy serenade as the music starts to fade
I feel your kiss and then you disappear

Overall Meaning

King Curtis's song "Melancholy Serenade" is an emotional ballad that captures the feeling of loss and the haunting memories of a past love. The song's refrain, "Melancholy serenade, every time I hear it played, right out of space, your haunting face appears," illustrates the powerful impact that music can have on one's thoughts and emotions. The haunting melody of the song sets a somber tone that underlines the feelings of sadness and longing.


In the verses, the lyrics delve into the narrative of a lost love and broken promises. The line "there were other serenades, broken promises we made, why must I pay, day after day with tears" conveys regret and the pain of a relationship that has ended. The mood of the song is further accentuated by the repetition of the phrase "alone in my room" in the second verse, conveying a sense of isolation and loneliness.


In the final verse, the song's title appears once more, as if to bring the narrative full circle. As the music starts to fade, the singer feels their lost love's kiss, but they quickly disappear. The final line, "alone in the gloom once more I'm close to you", implies that despite the end of the relationship, the memory of the lost love haunts the singer.


Line by Line Meaning

Melancholy serenade every time I hear it played
The feeling of sadness that arises within me every time I hear this particular tune.


Right out of space your haunting face appears
Suddenly, I feel as if I see your spooky face on the outer rims of my vision.


There were other serenades broken promises we made
There were other musical compositions, other experiences, where we had unfulfilled words spoken.


Why must I pay day after day with tears
Why do I continually feel the need to shed tears like currency.


Alone in my room I watch the ghost of you
Whilst by myself in my space, I witness the essence of your character lingering in the corners of my existence.


Alone in the gloom once more I'm close to you
In the obscurity all alone again, I feel like I'm back in your presence.


Melancholy serenade as the music starts to fade
The sadness multiplies as the sound slowly fades away.


I feel your kiss and then you disappear
I experience your kiss until you evaporate into nothingness.


Alone in the gloom once more I'm close to you
In the obscurity all alone again, I feel like I'm back in your presence.


Melancholy serenade as the music starts to fade
The sadness multiplies as the sound slowly fades away.


I feel your kiss and then you disappear
I experience your kiss until you evaporate into nothingness.




Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Duke Enston, Jackie Gleason

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

RavenTheBlack

No one blows a Sax like Curtis. Man had too much soul,

frunkiss

This is so great. definitely the highlight of the cd, and maybe this channel.

Michelle Regis

Sultry haunting and magical .thanks👌👌❤

Love 4 YAH

So, so good :) Would sound great on Tenor, Alto or Soprano--wouldn't matter which Sax you play this one on.

Vincent Wright

I absolutely AGREE with you 100%, Michael!

SpatialBlues

I'd love to hear it on bari

Kitty Love

What about on bari?

Rodrigo Adolfo Perez VEga

Amazing song!!!

wyndhl eodumegwu

I shall like to meditate and to seek me the golden peace that herein does reside in the solitude and tranquility of King Curtis' melodic and harmonic magnificence . Voila the King of Soul-pop-smooth Jazz - early 1960s!

MKIVWWI

I believe this song was written by Jackie Gleason, and used as the second theme for "The Honeymooners".

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