Yesterdays
Miles Davis and His Orchestra Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

When I was young

I'd listened to the radio

Waitin' for my favorite songs

Waiting they played I'd sing along
It made me smile


Those were such happy times

And not so long ago

How I wondered where they'd gone

But they're back again

Just like a long lost friend

All the songs I loved so well


(*) every sha-la-la-la

Every wo-wo-wo

Still shines

Every shing-a-ling-a-ling

That they're starting to sing's

So fine


When they get to the part

Where he's breakin' her heart

It can really make me cry

Just like before

It's yesterday once more


Lookin' back on how it was

In years gone by

And the good times that I had

Makes today seem rather sad

So much has changed


It was songs of love that

I would sing to then

And I'd memorize each word

Those old melodies

Still sound so good to me

As they melt the years away


Repeat (*)


All my best memories

Come back clearly to me

Some can even make me cry

Just like before





It's yesterday once more

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Yesterdays" by Miles Davis and His Orchestra reflect on the singer's nostalgia for a time when they were young and carefree. The mention of listening to the radio and waiting for their favorite songs to come on evokes a sense of innocence and simplicity from the past. The act of singing along to these songs brought joy and happiness to the singer, highlighting the power of music to uplift the spirit.


The lyrics delve into the theme of longing for the past, wondering where those happy times have disappeared to. The return of these beloved songs feels like a reunion with a long-lost friend, sparking memories of the songs that were cherished and deeply ingrained in the singer's heart. The nostalgic references to "sha-la-la-la" and "wo-wo-wo" capture the timeless nature of music and its ability to evoke emotions that transcend time.


The emotional impact of music is further emphasized as the singer recalls the bittersweet moments captured in the lyrics of the songs, particularly when it describes heartbreak. The power of music to evoke tears and stir up emotions is likened to revisiting the past and experiencing it all over again. The phrase "yesterday once more" encapsulates the sentiment of yearning to relive moments that have since passed.


The lyrics also reflect on the passage of time and the contrast between the memories of the past and the reality of the present. The nostalgia for the good times gone by creates a poignant contrast with the current state of things, leading to a mix of emotions where some memories bring joy while others bring sorrow. The enduring appeal of old melodies and their ability to transport the singer back in time underscores the timeless quality of music and its ability to evoke powerful emotions and memories.


Line by Line Meaning

When I was young
Reflecting on my youth and the nostalgia that comes with it


I'd listened to the radio
I spent my time listening to music on the radio


Waitin' for my favorite songs
Anticipating the songs that brought me joy


Waiting they played I'd sing along
Singing along to the music as it played


It made me smile
Music brought happiness to my life


Those were such happy times
Reminiscing on the joyful moments in the past


And not so long ago
It feels like it was just yesterday


How I wondered where they'd gone
Curiosity about where those happy times have disappeared to


But they're back again
The return of those nostalgic memories


Just like a long lost friend
Reuniting with something familiar like an old friend


All the songs I loved so well
Remembering the music that I cherished


Every sha-la-la-la
The catchy tunes that stick in my memory


Every wo-wo-wo
The emotional impact of the music that resonates with me


Still shines
The enduring brilliance of those songs


Every shing-a-ling-a-ling
The rhythmic beats that captivate me


That they're starting to sing's
The beginning of the music that carries me away


So fine
The exquisite beauty of the melodies


When they get to the part
Reaching the emotional climax of the song


Where he's breakin' her heart
Feeling the heartbreak portrayed in the music


It can really make me cry
The power of music to evoke strong emotions


Just like before
Transported back to that emotional state


It's yesterday once more
Reliving the past through the music


Lookin' back on how it was
Reflecting on past experiences


In years gone by
Thinking about the passage of time


And the good times that I had
Recalling the happy memories


Makes today seem rather sad
Noting the contrast between past and present


So much has changed
Acknowledging the changes over time


It was songs of love that
The music that spoke to matters of the heart


I would sing to then
Singing along to express my feelings


And I'd memorize each word
Committing the lyrics to memory


Those old melodies
The classic tunes that remain timeless


Still sound so good to me
Appreciating the enduring appeal of the music


As they melt the years away
The music's ability to transport me back in time


All my best memories
Recalling the most cherished moments


Come back clearly to me
Vividly remembering those special times


Some can even make me cry
The emotional impact of certain memories


It's yesterday once more
Reliving the past through the power of music




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JIM MUNDY, PEGGY WHITE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@zekayman

What a beautiful song. It brings such a feeling of nostalgia.

@nunoportodesantos7514

Eu também. E como...

@zekayman

No hablo Espanol mi amigo.

@1933Christian

Only the exquisite melody destroys debris of fear and gives peace to our senses. They are temples of art experiencing a sense of admiration for so great creation.

@MrStaringatthesun

magnificent. every note that miles hits in this one rips straight into my heart... in a good way.

@sidneystonewalker7882

Music that gets straight to your soul...

@kimpaterson976

Miles had a beautiful heart. bless you Miles xxxxx

@pipharper2963

yes he did :)

@movb100

Que talento, meu DEUS! Parece um sonho divino....

@nauj323

El frío de la soledad me invade, tu recuerdo lo tengo presente todo el tiempo, y es el tiempo lo que quisiera devolver ... esa es la sensacion cuando toco una balada de jazz, cada arrastre de las escobillas es eterno como si acariciara suavemente tu rostro..

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