Garland was known for his eloquent middle-of-the-road style. A fertile, often moving improvisor, he developed a characteristic block chord sound by combining octaves with a fifth in the middle in the right hand over left-hand comp (accompanying) chords. The style has been much imitated.
But Not for Me
Red Garland 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
The lyrics to Red Garland's song "But Not For Me" convey a sense of hopelessness and resignation in the face of unrequited love. The singer rejects the idea that their dreams will come true or that fate will provide them with a mate, dismissing such notions as "all bananas." They have experienced disappointment and heartbreak, and they lament the fact that love seems to be elusive for them. The singer acknowledges that they were foolish to fall for someone who will not return their feelings, and yet they cannot help but hold onto the memory of that person's kiss.
The lyrics draw upon a number of cultural references, from the "cheerful Pollyannas" who offer false hope to the "Russian play" with its bleak portrayal of life. The line about "Beatrice Fairfax" refers to a 20th century advice columnist who was known for her stern and practical advice. The use of these references helps to situates the singer's sense of disillusionment within a broader cultural context.
Line by Line Meaning
Old man sunshine listen you
The singer doesn't want to hear any optimism, even from the weather.
Never tell me dreams come true
The singer is skeptical of positivity and doesn't believe dreams can actually come true.
Just try it and I'll start a riot
The singer is so certain that positivity is false that they would protest if someone tried to convince them otherwise.
Beatrice Fairfax don't you dare
The artist doesn't want to hear from anyone, even an advice columnist.
Ever tell me he will care
The artist doesn't believe that anyone will ever care for them romantically.
I'm certain it's the final curtain
The singer is convinced that their love life is over and there's no chance for them to find love.
I never want to hear from any cheerful Pollyannas
The singer doesn't want to hear from anyone who is overly optimistic or positive.
Who tell you fate supplies a mate
The artist doesn't believe that fate has anything to do with finding a romantic partner.
It's all bananas
The artist thinks that anyone who believes in the power of fate is ridiculous or insane.
They're writing songs of love but not for me
The artist is observing that romantic songs are not written for them, as they believe they will never find love.
A lucky star's above but not for me
The singer doesn't believe they have any luck or good fortune when it comes to love.
With love to lead the way I've found more clouds of gray
The artist has been disappointed in love and has only found sadness instead of happiness.
Than any Russian play could guarantee
The singer is emphasizing how sad their situation is, suggesting that even Russian drama couldn't capture it adequately.
I was a fool to fall and get that way
The singer is regretting falling in love and becoming vulnerable to heartbreak.
Hi-ho, alas, and also lack-a-day
The singer is expressing sadness and resignation about their love life.
Although I can't dismiss the memory of his kiss
The artist still remembers a previous romantic encounter, but they don't think it will ever happen again.
I guess he's not for me
The artist has accepted that their previous romantic experience was just a memory and doesn't believe it will happen again.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MsMsmak
Truly the very definition of "tickling the ivorys"! Great!
@laylasaad3679
Heavenly ☁️💖💖💖 I like it thank you for this music 🎵
@markazevedo8679
Really nice ! Thanks for posting, Obertone Performance Art .
@juliocastillo8961
Amazing! Red 🔥🔥🎹
@nathanpflughoeft1126
That double time line at 2:45 is ridiculously killing omg
@gorkaparaiso4232
Yeas even at 0:46 : )
@jangunnarolsen5946
Groovy,swinging,Singing and Dancing MUSIC! By 💪💪💪 MUSICANS!!👍🎶
@catfood8863
Now that's what I call piano playing! Take notes younger cats, that's how it's done!
@HLireneLi
Nice 🎵🎹 🎼🎹 🎵🎹 🎼🎵 🎹 🎼
@HLireneLi
Greetings from new friend 🙋