She began her musical career at age four in her hometown of Rochester, New York, with piano lessons. She continued her music studies to include clarinet, drama and dance. When she enrolled at the Eastman School of Music, she decided to concentrate on voice.
At sixteen, she formed a combo and performed at clubs around Rochester. In the early 70s, she joined a rock band as lead singer and went on tour of the East Coast and the Midwest. Enjoying the freedom to improvise, she gravitated to jazz, forming her own group.
As a jazz artist, she's performed on the West Coast, in the Far East and Europe. She performs regularly in New York City at the most prestigious clubs: The Blue Note, Birdland, and Dizzy’s Coca Cola club at Lincoln Center. She has appeared at numerous jazz festivals and has sung with various symphony orchestras around the country.
Nancy was twice named “Best Female Jazz Vocalist” in the Down Beat Readers’ Poll.
She has recorded four CDs, the most recent being “Well Alright" with guest tenor saxophonist Houston Person.
Nancy Kelly continues to dazzle audiences with her take-no-prisoners, back-to-the-roots swinging style.
In a market place where wispy voices and shallow emotions abound, Ms. Kelly is a breath of fresh air…or should we say, smoky air; she takes us back to the time when jazz – and that includes vocal jazz -- was an authentic expression of real emotion.
But Not for Me
Nancy Kelly 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 Nancy Kelly's song "But Not for Me," the lyrics tell the story of a woman who has been disillusioned by love. The opening lines express her skepticism towards the idea that dreams can come true. It's almost as if she's been let down one too many times to believe in something as whimsical as that. She goes on to dismiss anyone who tells her that fate will bring her a soulmate, calling it all "bananas." It's clear that she's been hurt before and doesn't want to hear any more empty promises.
The chorus repeats the sentiment that love is not for her. She sees a lucky star shining above, but it's not shining for her. Instead of finding love to guide her way, she's found nothing but gray clouds, more dismal than even a Russian play could assure. She laments that she was foolish to fall for someone and get her hopes up.
The final lines of the song reveal that while the memory of the man's kiss lingers on, she's resigned herself to the fact that he's not for her. It's a bittersweet ending to a song that captures the pain of unrequited love.
Line by Line Meaning
Old man sunshine listen you
I'm skeptical of your sunshiney optimism and don't want to hear it.
Never tell me dreams come true
Don't peddle me any false hopes or ideals about achieving one's dreams.
Just try it and I'll start a riot
Don't tell me something impossible can happen because I'll be angry if I find out it can't.
Beatrice Fairfax don't you dare
I don't want Beatrice Fairfax to give me advice.
Ever tell me he will care
I don't want or believe assurances that he will ever care about me.
I'm certain it's the final curtain
I'm sure it's over between us, no need to say anything more.
I never want to hear from any cheerful Pollyannas
I don't want to hear from anyone with a naive or overly optimistic worldview that doesn't account for reality's harshness.
Who tell you fate supplies a mate
I don't believe in the idea that fate will bring me and my true love together.
It's all bananas
It's all ridiculous and absurd.
They're writing songs of love but not for me
Even though other people are singing love songs, my love life isn't working out.
A lucky star's above but not for me
Even though there may be good luck out there, it's not coming my way.
With love to lead the way I've found more clouds of gray
Even with love leading the way, I still encounter sadness and despair in my life.
Than any Russian play could guarantee
Even more than a depressing Russian play could promise.
I was a fool to fall and get that way
I now realize that I was foolish to be so blinded by love.
Hi-ho, alas, and also lack-a-day
An expression of despair or despondency.
Although I can't dismiss the memory of his kiss
Even though I can't forget the feeling of his kiss or the bond we once shared, I know it's not meant to be.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind