Sophisticated Lady
Rosemary Clooney/Duke Ellington Lyrics
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And in this heart of yours burned a flame
A flame that flickered one day and died away
Then, with disillusion deep in your eyes
You learned that fools in love soon grow wise
The years have changed you, somehow
I see you now
Diamonds shining, dancing, dining with some man in a restaurant
Is that all you really want?
No, sophisticated lady,
I know, you miss the love you lost long ago
And when nobody is nigh you cry
Smoking, drinking, never thinking of tomorrow, nonchalant
Diamonds shining, dancing, dining with some man in a restaurant
Is that all you really want?
No, sophisticated lady,
I know, you miss the love you lost long ago
And when nobody is nigh you cry
Sophisticated lady
You cry
The lyrics of Sophisticated Lady by Rosemary Clooney and Duke Ellington & His Orchestra is a story of a woman who had experienced love but eventually lost it. The song begins with a portrayal of her early life, a period where she was young and inexperienced in love. It was during this time that romance came into her life, and in her heart burned a flame of passion. However, this flame flickered and died away.
The lyrics continue to describe how disillusioned she became with love, and how she learned that being in love could make one foolish. The years have changed her, and she is now portrayed as being nonchalant about life, smoking, and drinking, with diamonds shining as she's dining and dancing with men. As the listener hears the chorus, it becomes clear that there is more to her story than what is visible on the surface. The woman portrayed in the song is a sophisticated lady who misses the love she lost long ago. She puts up a front of being carefree, but when nobody is around, she cries.
Overall, the song is a powerful commentary on the pain of lost love and the ways in which people attempt to hide their emotions from the outside world.
Line by Line Meaning
They say into your early life romance came
People say that love came into your life when you were young
And in this heart of yours burned a flame
You had a strong passion for love in your heart
A flame that flickered one day and died away
However, that passion for love quickly faded away
Then, with disillusion deep in your eyes
You became disenchanted with love and had a look of disappointment in your eyes
You learned that fools in love soon grow wise
You came to understand that people who are foolish in love eventually become wiser
The years have changed you, somehow
Over time, you have changed in some way
I see you now
I can see how you are currently
Smoking, drinking, never thinking of tomorrow, nonchalant
You live your life carelessly, smoking and drinking without any thought for the future
Diamonds shining, dancing, dining with some man in a restaurant
You spend your time in luxury, wearing expensive jewelry, dancing, and eating at fancy restaurants with a man
Is that all you really want?
Do you think this is all you truly desire?
No, sophisticated lady,
I know you are more than just a wealthy, high-class woman
I know, you miss the love you lost long ago
I understand that you miss the love you had lost a long time ago
And when nobody is nigh you cry
When you are alone, you cry over the love you lost
Sophisticated lady
You may be a refined and graceful woman, but you are still human with emotions
You cry
You feel the pain of lost love and it brings you to tears
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Edward Kennedy Ellington, Irving Mills, Mitchell Parish
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind