Round Midnight
Mel Torme & Marty Paich Lyrics
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'round midnight, midnight.
I do pretty well, till after sundown,
Suppertime I'm feelin' sad;
But it really gets bad,
'round midnight.
Memories always start 'round midnight
When my heart is still with you,
And ol' midnight knows it, too.
When a quarrel we had needs mending,
Does it mean that our love is ending.
Darlin' I need you, lately I find
You're out of my heart,
And I'm out of my mind.
Let our hearts take wings'
'round midnight, midnight
Let the angels sing,
for your returning.
Till our love is safe and sound.
And old midnight comes around.
Feelin' sad,
really gets bad
Round, Round, Round Midnight
The lyrics to Mel Tormé's song 'Round Midnight talk about the feelings of sadness and longing that come at the end of the day. The song's protagonist is haunted by memories that begin to surface as the clock strikes midnight. These memories are painful because they are associated with lost love. As the song progresses, the singer expresses his desire to reunite with his lover and put the past behind them. The lyrics make it clear that the singer is willing to endure the pain of his memories if it means the possibility of rekindling their relationship.
The song 'Round Midnight has a slow, mournful melody that perfectly captures the mood of the lyrics. The song has become an iconic standard in the jazz repertoire and has been covered by countless artists, including Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, and Thelonious Monk. The song's popularity lies partly in its ability to evoke emotions that are universally felt. The melancholy sentiment expressed in the song is something that most people can relate to, regardless of their circumstances. The song's lyrics and melody also lend themselves to varied interpretations, allowing each artist who performs it to bring their own unique style and perspective.
Line by Line Meaning
It begins to tell,
'round midnight, midnight.
The feeling of sadness and loneliness creeps in at night as midnight approaches.
I do pretty well, till after sundown,
The singer is able to go about their day normally until the sun sets and nighttime approaches.
Suppertime I'm feelin' sad;
The singer feels down during mealtime, specifically dinner time which is usually spent with a loved one or family.
But it really gets bad,
'round midnight.
The sadness and loneliness intensifies as midnight approaches.
Memories always start 'round midnight
Midnight acts as a trigger for the singer's memories, especially those associated with their loved one.
Haven't got the heart to stand those memories,
The singer finds it difficult to cope with the memories that resurface during midnight.
When my heart is still with you,
The singer's heart remains with their loved one despite any conflict they may have had.
And ol' midnight knows it, too.
The singer feels as though midnight itself understands their pain and longing for their loved one.
When a quarrel we had needs mending,
The singer reflects on the conflicts they have had with their loved one that have yet to be resolved.
Does it mean that our love is ending.
The singer questions whether or not their ongoing conflict with their loved one will eventually lead to the end of their relationship.
Darlin' I need you, lately I find
You're out of my heart,
And I'm out of my mind.
The singer desperately needs their loved one back in their life, but has started to feel empty without them and is struggling to cope with their absence.
Let our hearts take wings'
'round midnight, midnight
Let the angels sing,
for your returning.
The singer hopes that at midnight, both their and their loved one's hearts are free to reunite and that the angels will celebrate their reunion.
Till our love is safe and sound.
And old midnight comes around.
The singer wishes for their relationship to be restored and strengthened before the next midnight arrives.
Feelin' sad,
really gets bad
Round, Round, Round Midnight
The repeated line emphasizes the intense sadness and longing that takes place during midnight as the singer reflects on their relationship with their loved one.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cootie Williams, Bernard D Hanighen, Theolonious S Monk
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind