But Not for Me
Mindy Carson Lyrics
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Never tell me dreams come true
Just try it and I'll start a riot
Beatrice Fairfax don't you dare
Ever tell me he will care
I'm certain it's the final curtain
I never want to hear from any cheerful Pollyannas
Who tell you fate supplies a mate
They're writing songs of love but not for me
A lucky star's above but not for me
With love to lead the way I've found more clouds of gray
Than any Russian play could guarantee
I was a fool to fall and get that way
Hi-ho, alas, and also lack-a-day
Although I can't dismiss the memory of his kiss
I guess he's not for me
I was a fool to fall and get that way
Hi-ho, alas, and also lack-a-day
Although I can't dismiss the memory of his kiss
In Mindy Carson's song But Not for Me, the singer is lamenting about love and the fact that it has not yet come their way. Through the use of metaphors and analogies, the singer expresses their frustration with love and the people that try to convince them that it exists. The singer is jaded about the possibility of finding love, and not only believes that it is impossible for them personally, but also mocks those who believe that fate will bring them the perfect mate. For the singer, it's all "bananas."
The lyric "They're writing songs of love but not for me" is perhaps one of the most recognizable lines from the song. This line reflects the idea that it seems like love and songs about love are everywhere, but not for the singer. Later in the song, the singer admits that they were a "fool to fall and get that way," indicating that they have been hurt or disappointed by love in the past. However, despite this hurt, the singer cannot dismiss the memory of their lover's kiss. The song ends with a sense of resignation, suggesting that the singer may continue to hold onto this memory, but does not see love as a possibility in their future.
Line by Line Meaning
Old man sunshine listen you
Mindy addresses the sun while expressing disbelief towards the idea of dreams coming true.
Never tell me dreams come true
Mindy does not believe in the idea of dreams coming true.
Just try it and I'll start a riot
Mindy is so sure that dreams do not come true that she would rather start a riot than find out otherwise.
Beatrice Fairfax don't you dare
Mindy forbids Beatrice Fairfax from suggesting that someone will care for her.
Ever tell me he will care
Mindy does not believe anyone will ever care for her.
I'm certain it's the final curtain
Mindy is certain that her love life has come to an end.
I never want to hear from any cheerful Pollyannas
Mindy does not want to hear from anyone who tries to convince her that fate will provide a mate for her.
Who tell you fate supplies a mate
Mindy does not believe anyone can count on fate to supply a mate for them.
It's all bananas
Mindy thinks the idea of fate supplying a mate is ridiculous.
They're writing songs of love but not for me
Mindy feels that love songs do not apply to her because she has not experienced true love.
A lucky star's above but not for me
Although others believe in lucky stars, Mindy does not believe she has a lucky star.
With love to lead the way I've found more clouds of gray
Mindy has not found love to be the solution to her problems and feels that it only brings more sadness into her life.
Than any Russian play could guarantee
Mindy believes that the sadness in her life is worse than what any Russian play could guarantee.
I was a fool to fall and get that way
Mindy is acknowledging that she was foolish to fall in love knowing that it would lead to heartache.
Hi-ho, alas, and also lack-a-day
Mindy expresses her disappointment and sorrow about her failed love life.
Although I can't dismiss the memory of his kiss
Mindy still remembers the feeling of her past love's kiss and cannot forget it.
I guess he's not for me
Mindy realizes that her past love is not meant for her and she must move on.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind