Yesterdays
Russ Case and his Orchestra Lyrics
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I'd listened to the radio
Waitin' for my favorite songs
Waiting they played I'd sing along
Those were such happy times
And not so long ago
How I wondered where they'd gone
But they're back again
Just like a long lost friend
All the songs I loved so well
(*) every sha-la-la-la
Every wo-wo-wo
Still shines
Every shing-a-ling-a-ling
That they're starting to sing's
So fine
When they get to the part
Where he's breakin' her heart
It can really make me cry
Just like before
It's yesterday once more
Lookin' back on how it was
In years gone by
And the good times that I had
Makes today seem rather sad
So much has changed
It was songs of love that
I would sing to then
And I'd memorize each word
Those old melodies
Still sound so good to me
As they melt the years away
Repeat (*)
All my best memories
Come back clearly to me
Some can even make me cry
Just like before
It's yesterday once more
The lyrics of Russ Case and his Orchestra's song "Yesterdays" explore the nostalgic longing for the past, particularly the joy and happiness associated with listening to favorite songs on the radio during youth. The opening verses describe how, as a young person, the singer would eagerly wait for their favorite songs to play on the radio and sing along, bringing a smile to their face. The lyrics emphasize that these were happy times and not too long ago, creating a longing for those moments of innocence and pure delight.
The chorus of the song reflects upon the enduring power of these songs. The "sha-la-la-la" and "wo-wo-wo" elements highlight the catchy and memorable nature of the tunes. The lyrics suggest that these songs continue to shine and have a timeless quality. The reference to "shing-a-ling-a-ling" signifies the excitement and charm that the songs possessed, as they start to sing once again and bring back the feeling of a long-lost friend.
The second part of the song delves deeper into the sentimentality and wistfulness of the singer. Looking back on the past, they realize how much has changed and how the present can seem rather sad in comparison. The memories of singing love songs and cherishing every word are cherished, as they evoke a sense of comfort and familiarity. The final chorus suggests that these songs have the power to bring back the best memories and even evoke tears, as they transport the singer back in time to relive the feelings and emotions of the past.
Overall, the lyrics of "Yesterdays" capture the bittersweet nostalgia associated with growing older and longing for the simplicity and happiness of the past. It emphasizes the power of music to evoke memories and transport us to a time when everything felt brighter and more joyful.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was young
In my younger years
I'd listened to the radio
I would tune in to the radio
Waitin' for my favorite songs
Anticipating the arrival of my preferred songs
Waiting they played I'd sing along
While waiting for them to play, I would sing along
It made me smile
It brought joy to my face
Those were such happy times
Those periods were filled with immense happiness
And not so long ago
And not too distant in the past
How I wondered where they'd gone
I often pondered where they had disappeared to
But they're back again
But now they have returned
Just like a long lost friend
Similar to an old friend who was lost for a while
All the songs I loved so well
All the songs that deeply resonated with me
every sha-la-la-la
every melodic sha-la-la-la
Every wo-wo-wo
Every soulful wo-wo-wo
Still shines
Still radiates brightness
Every shing-a-ling-a-ling
Every delightful shing-a-ling-a-ling
That they're starting to sing's
That they're beginning to vocalize
So fine
So exquisite
When they get to the part
When they reach the section
Where he's breakin' her heart
Where he is causing her heartbreak
It can really make me cry
It can genuinely induce tears in me
Just like before
In the same way as previously
It's yesterday once more
It feels like the past is happening again
Lookin' back on how it was
Reflecting on how it used to be
In years gone by
In the bygone years
And the good times that I had
And the enjoyable moments that I experienced
Makes today seem rather sad
Causes today to appear quite sorrowful
So much has changed
So many things have altered
It was songs of love that
It was love-themed songs that
I would sing to then
I would vocalize during that time
And I'd memorize each word
And I would commit every word to memory
Those old melodies
Those aged melodies
Still sound so good to me
Still sound incredibly pleasant to me
As they melt the years away
As they dissolve the passing years
All my best memories
All my most treasured recollections
Come back clearly to me
Return vividly to my mind
Some can even make me cry
Certain ones can even bring tears to my eyes
Just like before
In the same manner as previously
It's yesterday once more
It feels like the past is happening again
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JIM MUNDY, PEGGY WHITE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind