Rhapsody in Blue
Paul Whiteman His Orchestra Lyrics
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I'm somewhere in another world, alone with you
Sharing all the joys we used to know
Many moons ago
Once again your face comes back to me
Just like the theme of some forgotten melody
In the album of my memory
It seems like only yesterday
The small cafe, a crowded floor
And as we danced the night away
I hear you say forever more
And then the song became a sigh
Forever more became goodbye
But you remained in my heart
So tell me darling, is there still a spark?
Or only lonely ashes of the flame we knew
Should I go on whistling in the dark
Serenade in blue
So tell me darling, is there still a spark?
Or only lonely ashes of the flame we knew
Should I go on whistling in the dark
Serenade in blue
The lyrics to "Serenade in Blue" by Paul Whiteman's Orchestra depict a nostalgic yearning for a lost love. The singer describes being transported to another world when they hear the serenade in blue, a melody that reminds them of the joys they shared with their former lover "many moons ago." The memory of their face comes back to the singer like a forgotten melody in an album of their memory. The song becomes a reminder of the café where they danced the night away, and the promises they made to each other. However, the song also serves as a painful reminder of the ultimate goodbye that followed, and the loss of the flame they once shared.
The singer's poignancy is heightened by the repetition of the question, "is there still a spark?" They grapple with the uncertainty of whether their former love lingers on in some form, or whether they are left to whistle the tune of the serenade in blue alone. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person haunted by the ghost of a past romance, yearning for a love that may have been lost forever.
Line by Line Meaning
When I hear that Serenade in blue
Whenever I listen to the Serenade in Blue, it takes me to a different world, where it's just you and me.
I'm somewhere in another world, alone with you
The music makes me feel like I'm transported to a different place with you, where we're alone and able to relive our memories.
Sharing all the joys we used to know
We're able to recall all the happy moments we shared together in the past.
Many moons ago
It feels like it was a long time ago, as if many moons have passed since then.
Once again your face comes back to me
I can see your face clearly in my mind like it used to be, before everything changed.
Just like the theme of some forgotten melody
It feels like a distant memory that I can only recall bits and pieces of, like a long-forgotten melody.
In the album of my memory
It's a moment that's forever captured in my mind, like a photograph in an album.
It seems like only yesterday
Even though it feels like a long time ago, it's still vivid in my mind like it just happened yesterday.
The small cafe, a crowded floor
I can remember the exact setting, with us in a small cafe, amid a crowd of people.
And as we danced the night away
We spent the whole night dancing.
I hear you say forever more
I can still hear your voice saying 'forever more' to me.
And then the song became a sigh
Suddenly, the cheerful song turned into a sad sigh.
Forever more became goodbye
Our promise of forever turned into goodbye and separation.
But you remained in my heart
Even though we parted ways, you always remained a part of my heart.
So tell me darling, is there still a spark?
I'm wondering if there's still a chance for us to rekindle what we once had.
Or only lonely ashes of the flame we knew
I'm afraid that all that's left is just memories of what once was, with no chance of resurrection.
Should I go on whistling in the dark
I don't know whether to hold onto hope and keep searching for something that may never return.
Serenade in blue
The beautiful music that accompanies my memories of you.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harry Warren, Mack Gordon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Vertigo Official Band
for some reason, I have always preferred the original acoustic recording. although the orchestration and quality of sound is little in terms of sophistication compared to other versions, I just find I love this one more than any others. I have a Columbia 78 of this played by someone else, and it's really not the same. I think its the real pronunciation on the clarinet glissando and Gershwin's masterful piano playing that really does it for me. also I feel that the original jazziness that was intended for it has been lost through the years.
Felix Cox
The electric recording gets all the attention, but this one is clearly superior in terms of interpretation.
Luis Mihovilcevic
@preservationhall01 Thanks for your information!!!
preservationhall01
@OldiesAl There was something very innovative going on here to produce this clarity. Instead of using one recording horn, Victor placed several throughout the orchestra all connected to the single recording diaphragm by rubber hoses. In that manner, all sections of the orchestra could be equally recorded and the volume could be softened giving this its' clear beautiful quality. Next year, 1925, the Western Electric microphone was invented and was in use. 1920sfan just uploaded Whiteman's "Where the Dreamy Wabash Flows" and we were amazed that it was not an electrical recording but could not have been as it was recorded in 1924.~ Victor Talking Machine most likely used the "multiple horn" method for that recording too.
OldiesAl
Thanks for your comment Felix, there is something magical about this recording, great clarity for an acoustic recording too
singinjohnny
What a beautiful performance and recording! Considering the available technology back then, this sounds wonderfully full of life. It's also interesting to hear the interpretation played by wonderful musicians who lived in that time. It intrigues me to think that this was made by such a highly talented and well rehearsed band in not necessarily the most desirable conditions, considering today's comfort expectations and the fact that this was made in early June prior to air conditioning.
The Brazilian Atlantis
"Don't let them kid you about Whiteman. He has been a big man in our music." -- Duke Ellington (to the New York Times, 1943).
Gerald Sloan
The music of George and Ira Gershwin is still very relevant today.
John Halbert
😊😊 😊 I'm very vpls to know I'm not the only one that loves😍 👆 the song but when last did you play it 💖
Mark Conlan
I've loved this recording since I first heard it on an RCA Victrola LP reissue in the early 1980's, backed by Nathaniel Shilkret's 1929 world premiere recording of "An American in Paris" and Gershwin's own recordings of his "Three Preludes" and eight of his songs. Amazing, and better than the Whiteman-Gershwin electrical version from 1927 and the two subsequent Whiteman recordings from the 1950's. This and Gershwin's solo piano roll from 1925 and 1927 are the definitive performances of "Rhapsody in Blue."