Eldridge was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His nickname was Little Jazz. Eldridge played in the bands of Fletcher Henderson, Gene Krupa and Artie Shaw before making records under his own name. He also played in Benny Goodman's and Count Basie's Orchestras, and co-led a band with Coleman Hawkins.
On The Sunny Side Of The Street
Roy Eldridge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I had nothing but shadows
Then one morning you passed
And I brightened at last
Now I greet the day and complete the day
With the sun in my heart
All my worry blew away
When you taught me how to say
Grab your coat and get your hat
Leave your worry on the doorstep
Just direct your feet
To the sunny side of the street
Can't you hear a pitter-pat?
And that happy tune is your step
Life can be so sweet
On the sunny side of the street
I used to walk in the shade
With those blues on parade
But I'm not afraid
This Rover crossed over
If I never have a cent
I'd be rich as Rockefeller
Gold dust at my feet
On the sunny side of the street
Grab your street
The lyrics to Roy Eldridge's "On The Sunny Side Of The Street" are about the transformative power of love. The singer describes how they used to walk through life alone, with nothing but shadows and worry. But when they meet someone special, they feel like the sun has come out, and they can greet each day with joy in their heart. They encourage their listeners to follow their lead, to put aside their worries and walk with them on the sunny side of the street. The song paints a vivid picture of the power of optimism, and how it can change everything.
The lyrics also touch on the idea that happiness and wealth have little to do with material possessions. The singer claims that even if they never have a cent, they would still feel as rich as Rockefeller because they have found love and joy in life. This point is illustrated well in the line, "Gold dust at my feet on the sunny side of the street." The use of metaphor is a device used to convey this message, that the world is an abundant and bountiful world if one can approach it with a positive attitude.
Line by Line Meaning
Walked with no one and talked with no one
I had no social life, no one to talk to and spent my time alone in the shadows, in depression.
And I had nothing but shadows
I was surrounded by darkness, sadness, and negativity and had nothing to look forward to in life.
Then one morning you passed
One day, I saw you walking by me, and you caught my attention.
And I brightened at last
Seeing you brought light and hope to my life, and I finally felt happy again after a long time.
Now I greet the day and complete the day
Every morning I wake up, I am filled with happiness and positive energy that help me face the day with enthusiasm.
With the sun in my heart
I carry the light inside me, and it shines bright, giving me the power to overcome anything.
All my worry blew away
All the worries and anxieties that used to haunt me vanished as soon as you helped me see the brighter side of life.
When you taught me how to say
You were the one who showed me that there's a positive side to everything and taught me how to be optimistic.
Grab your coat and get your hat
Get ready and prepare to leave all your worries and troubles behind because life is beautiful and ought to be lived happily.
Leave your worry on the doorstep
Do not take the weight of your problems with you as you go outside; let go of them as you would your hat and coat.
Just direct your feet
Choose your direction in life and keep moving forward, leaving behind any negativity that may hold you back.
To the sunny side of the street
Choose to look at the brighter side of life and enjoy every moment of it with a positive outlook.
Can't you hear a pitter-pat?
Listen to your heart, feel the rhythm of your steps as you walk in stride, and experience the joy of life.
And that happy tune is your step
Allow the blissfulness of your surroundings to impact your mood positively and let your steps show your happiness.
Life can be so sweet
Life is beautiful and full of pleasant surprises if we take the time to appreciate it and enjoy it.
On the sunny side of the street
Choose optimism and positivity, and see the world through a brighter lens rather than clouded by negativity.
I used to walk in the shade
I used to be a pessimist and embraced bleakness, walking in the darkness of life.
With those blues on parade
I was surrounded by sadness, negativity, and was consumed by the feeling of the blues.
But I'm not afraid
But now, I have shed those feelings away, and I no longer fear the unknown or the uncertainties that life has in store for me.
This Rover crossed over
I shifted my perspective and made the change to an optimistic outlook, crossing over to the brighter side of life.
If I never have a cent
Even if I have nothing to my name, no wealth or material possessions, I will still feel rich and content with what I have in life.
I'd be rich as Rockefeller
I will feel as wealthy and prosperous as one of the most affluent, wealthy family names in history, the Rockefellers.
Gold dust at my feet
I will feel as if I am walking on gold dust, with an abundance of wealth beneath my feet due to my happiness and positive energy.
On the sunny side of the street
I have chosen to embrace positivity and optimism, giving me the strength to navigate the problems of life and remain joyful along the way.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dorothy Fields, Jimmy McHugh
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
themadaboutmusic
Funny! Soon as I finished listened to this tune, I searched for Louis Armstrong's cover of the same tune. Though each of them had their own interpretation, but my feeling for both is the same..... Two great trumpeters, two great singers, ....two of a kind! Great track, thanks Jim.
Samuel Parker
one of the best cds in current jazz i've ever listened to. some happening with my external hardrive made this unavailable to me, thanks for posting!
Richard Salvucci
How could you dislike this?
Peter Shaw
What a combo. Mr. Brown does the biz.
nekojyチャンネル
nice! good time…… ♪
Oupa Modikeng
Melodic
Asha Lee Hawkins
😍This is my 3rd cousin
Emy Pask
ОК!!!
Ben Makinen
Oscar Peterson p, Ray Brown bs, Joe Pass gtr, Eddie Locke dms. Rec 1975.
Thanks for the share!
Totally Fake
OP?! I feel like he would bring out his chops here... This doesn't sound like him.