Blame It On My Youth
Nat "King" Cole and His Trio Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Blame it on my youth
If only just for you I did exist
Blame it on my youth
I believed in everything
Like a child at three
You meant more than anything
If you were on my mind all night and day
Blame it on my youth
If I forgot to eat and sleep and pray
Blame it on my youth
If I cried a little bit
When first I learned the truth
Don't blame it on my heart
Blame it on my youth
If you were on my mind all night and day
Blame it on my youth
If I forgot to eat and sleep and pray
Blame it on my youth
If I cried a little bit
When first I learned the truth
Don't blame it on my heart
Blame it on my youth
In "Blame It On My Youth," Nat King Cole reminisces about his first love and all of the intense emotions that went along with it. He blames his youth for his naivete and vulnerability in falling in love so quickly and completely. The opening lines set the tone for the entire song, with Cole admitting that he expected love as soon as he kissed his first love, and that he existed solely for her. His childlike belief in everything and the overwhelming importance placed on this one person is captured in the lines "You meant more than anything/All the world to me."
Cole clearly became infatuated with his love interest to the point of obsession, as he confesses to forgetting to eat, sleep, and pray because she was on his mind constantly. He even admits to crying when he learned the truth about something, suggesting that he was sensitive and emotional during this time. However, Cole doesn't want to be blamed for being too earnest and romantic, instead attributing his behavior to his youth and inexperience.
Overall, "Blame It On My Youth" is a beautiful ballad that explores the heady rush of first love and the power it can hold over a person. Cole's smooth vocals capture the longing and nostalgia of the lyrics, with his trio providing a gentle, jazzy background.
Line by Line Meaning
If I expected love when first we kissed
If I was naive and hopeful about love when we first shared a kiss
Blame it on my youth
Let my youthful inexperience be the reason for any mistakes I made
If only just for you I did exist
If I only lived for your love and approval
I believed in everything
I was gullible and trusting, like a child at three years old
Like a child at three
Innocent and unworldly, with no experience or cynicism
You meant more than anything
You were the most important thing in my life
All the world to me
You were my entire world
If I forgot to eat and sleep and pray
If I was so consumed by my love for you that I neglected my basic needs and spirituality
If I cried a little bit
If my heart was broken and I shed a tear or two
When first I learned the truth
When I discovered the reality of our relationship
Don't blame it on my heart
My emotions were not to blame
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EDWARD HEYMAN, OSCAR LEVANT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@renzo6490
If I expected love when first we kissed
Blame it on my youth
If only just for you I did exist
Blame it on my youth
I believed in everything
Like a child at three
You meant more than everything
All the world to me
If you were on my mind all night and day
Blame it on my youth
If I forgot to eat and sleep and pray
Blame it on my youth
If I cried a little bit
When first I learned the truth
Don't blame it on my heart
Blame it on my youth
If you were on my mind all night and day
Blame it on my youth
If I forgot to eat and sleep and pray
Blame it on my youth
If I cried a little bit
When first I learned the truth
Don't blame it on my heart
Blame it on my youth
@ikidearitashi1030
作曲；O.Levant
作詞；E.Heyman
If I expected love when first we kissed,
Blame it on my youth.
If only just for you I did exist,
Blame it on my youth.
I believed in everything,
Like a child of three.
You meant more than anything,
All the world to me.
If you were on my mind both night and day,
Blame it on my youth.
If I forgot to eat and sleep and pray,
Blame it on my youth.
And if I cried a little bit when first I learned the truth,
Don't blame it on my heart,
Blame it on my youth.
@albertohoraciosulpizio8171
Inolvidable Nat. Un músico de un talento increíble...siempre en mi corazón.
@JStaceyhib
I've been a 'jazz', 'swing' lover since the age of 16 ( and I'm now 81) and can you believe that I have never come across this song until a couple of months ago and now I just cannot get it out of my head - really - it is there when I wake up and when I go to sleep, and I've listened to every rendering of it that I can find. Musically it just blows my mind. They are all so good but I suppose Keith Jarret's rendering must be the one that totally absorbs me the most.
@davidariesandjaya2063
Just try joey alexander version blame it on my youth
@davidesangiorgi6933
I'm totally in the Mehldau's version on "Art Of Trio Vol. 1" is somethin out of this world! Thanks to you Brad
@jonahw.3435
I know this is kinda late, but if you haven't you absolutely MUST hear Jamie Cullums rendition of this song!!! Coming from a now 19 year old😉
@RanBlakePiano
John Stacey-Hibbert year Chris connor
@jimthompson606
I am hearing it for the first time and already bonding with it. Another fine aspect of Oscar Levant.
@mauricioduron3193
Few can render the element of melody in any song as well as Mr. Cole does here. Sinatra does convey to us the sense of loss and heartbreak.
@stj971
My 2 favs
@JaniceWrightLove
Nat had a skill with adding sex appeal to the songs.