Whatever Happened To Melody
Michael Feinstein Lyrics
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Sweet, old-fashioned melody.
Roses and ribbons and romance and rhyme,
Songs about two hearts,In three-quarter time.
Once there movies with stars who were stars.
Where oh where can they be?
And why aren't there heroes like yesterday's heroes?
And whatever happened to melody?
Ah those were fighters!
Not like the pipsqueaks they palm off today,
Hemingway, Steinbeck,
Now those were writers!
With style and with substance, and something to say.
Garbo and Gable, Franklin D. Roosevelt,
I could go on and on.
Babe Ruth, Bogie, Gershwin,.. and Hoagie.
Ah whats the use? They're gone... All gone.
Whatever happened to melody,
Who stole all the poetry?
Posies and picnics and walks in the wood,
Hammocks and hay rides, are they gone for good?
Whatever happened to just holding hands?
'neath the old apple tree?
Gone is the magic, and speaking of magic...
Whatever happened to you and me?
The lyrics to Michael Feinstein's song "Whatever Happened to Melody" mourn the loss of old-fashioned romance and lyricism in contemporary culture. The song bemoans the scarcity of the kind of musical compositions that were once popular and evocative of deep emotional connections, characterized by their smooth, flowing rhythms (three-quarter time) and rich symbolism (roses and ribbons). The singer also recalls a time when certain celebrities, in a range of fields, were icons who embodied similar qualities. Old-school boxers like Gene Tunney and Joe Louis had more heft and credibility than their modern-day counterparts; classic writers like Hemingway and Steinbeck crafted works with more depth and richness than the bland books found on modern bestseller lists; and Hollywood actors like Gable and Garbo were more alluring and sophisticated than contemporaries who tend towards crassness and sensationalism.
The song is wistful in its tone, expressing a certain longing for a different age and a lament for what is perceived as a diminishing cultural richness. It romanticizes a time that likely never existed in quite the way it is portrayed, and shows a nostalgia for a kind of innocence that was probably always more elusive than we might remember it to be in hindsight. Nonetheless, the idea of something having been lost - whether due to societal change, technological advances, or simple human fickleness - is a powerful one that resonates with many people.
Line by Line Meaning
Whatever happened to melody?
What became of sweet, old-fashioned melodies?
Sweet, old-fashioned melody.
Classical and charming tunes of the past.
Roses and ribbons and romance and rhyme,
Love, beauty, and poetic expressions of affection.
Songs about two hearts, in three-quarter time.
Musical compositions about two lovers, played in a triple meter rhythm.
Once there movies with stars who were stars.
In the past, there were films with real celebrities.
Where oh where can they be?
Where are those legendary superstars now?
And why aren't there heroes like yesterday's heroes?
Why aren't there great, admirable figures like those of the past?
And whatever happened to melody?
What happened to our beloved and memorable songs?
Gene Tunney, Joe Louis,
Famous boxers from the past.
Ah those were fighters!
They were true champions of their time.
Not like the pipsqueaks they palm off today,
Today's boxers are not as impressive or skilled.
Hemingway, Steinbeck,
Renowned writers from the past.
Now those were writers!
They were true literary artists.
With style and with substance, and something to say.
Their works had both elegance and meaningful content.
Garbo and Gable, Franklin D. Roosevelt,
Iconic figures from history and film.
I could go on and on.
There were many more great personalities like these.
Babe Ruth, Bogie, Gershwin,.. and Hoagie.
Other famous names from the past.
Ah whats the use? They're gone... All gone.
There's no point in dwelling on the fact that they are all no longer with us.
Whatever happened to melody,
What has become of those beautiful and heart-warming songs?
Who stole all the poetry?
What happened to the evocative and poignant lyrics?
Posies and picnics and walks in the wood,
Remembering delightful outdoor activities like flower picking, outings, and nature walks.
Hammocks and hay rides, are they gone for good?
Is it true that these simple and enjoyable pastimes are no longer possible?
Whatever happened to just holding hands?
Why is it so hard to experience the simple act of hand-holding?
'neath the old apple tree?
Under the shade and comfort of the familiar and nostalgic tree.
Gone is the magic, and speaking of magic...
The enchantment of the past is missing, and on the topic of illusions...
Whatever happened to you and me?
What happened to the love and connection between two people?
Contributed by Eliana A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.