Davis, Jr. was born in Harlem, Manhattan, New York City, New York, to Elvera Sanchez, a dancer, and Sammy Davis, Sr., an African-American entertainer. The couple were both dancers in vaudeville. As an infant, he was raised by his paternal grandmother. When he was three years old, his parents split up. His father, not wanting to lose custody of his son, took him on tour. Sammy Davis Jr. claimed that his mother was Puerto Rican, however the 2003 biography In Black and White alleges that he made this claim due to the political sensitivities of the 1960s (during the Cuban Missile Crisis), and that his mother was born in New York of Cuban descent rather than in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
As a child he learned how to dance from his father, Sammy Davis, Sr., and his "uncle" Will Mastin, who led the dance troupe his father worked for. Davis joined the act as a young child in 1928 and they became the Will Mastin Trio. Throughout his long career, Davis included the Will Mastin Trio in his billing.
Mastin and his father had shielded him from racism. Snubs were explained as jealousy. But during World War II, Davis served in the United States Army, where he was first confronted by strong racial prejudice. As he said later, "Overnight the world looked different. It wasn't one color anymore. I could see the protection I'd gotten all my life from my father and Will. I appreciated their loving hope that I'd never need to know about prejudice and hate, but they were wrong. It was as if I'd walked through a swinging door for eighteen years, a door which they had always secretly held open.
But Not for Me
Sammy Davis Jr. Lyrics
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A lucky star's above, but not for me
With love to lead the way
I found more clouds are gray
Than any rainy day, could guarantee
I was a fool to fall, and get that way
I should have known the price, I'd have to pay
The memory of his kiss
I guess he's not for me
In Sammy Davis Jr.'s "But Not for Me," the singer laments about not experiencing the same good fortune that others seem to have in finding love. The first line, "They're writing songs of love, but not for me," is a nod to the popular love songs being written and performed at the time, but the singer feels left out of the love narrative. The second line, "A lucky star's above, but not for me," suggests that even the singer's luck seems to be ill-fated when it comes to love.
The singer has tried to find their way with love, but ultimately found themselves disappointed. The third and fourth line of the verse, "With love to lead the way, I found more clouds are gray than any rainy day could guarantee," speaks to a sense of loss and disappointment in one’s efforts to find love. Despite their best intentions, the singer found more gloom than expected.
The next verse speaks of a broken heart, as the singer reflects on being affected negatively by love. They realize that they made a mistake by letting themselves fall deeply in love, and that the reward was not worth the emotional price they had to pay. However, they still can't dismiss the memory of their lover's kiss, indicating that even though they were hurt, they were still deeply in love.
Line by Line Meaning
They're writing songs of love, but not for me
People are writing romantic songs, but none of them seem to fit my situation.
A lucky star's above, but not for me
There may be good things happening in the world, but I'm not benefiting from them.
With love to lead the way
I thought love would solve my problems.
I found more clouds are gray
Instead, I found that there was more pain and sadness than I anticipated.
Than any rainy day, could guarantee
It's as if there is a guarantee that there will be more bad days than good ones.
I was a fool to fall, and get that way
I was foolish for falling in love and putting myself in this vulnerable position.
I should have known the price, I'd have to pay
I should have anticipated the heartbreak and pain that comes with falling in love.
Although I can't dismiss
Even though I can't forget or ignore
The memory of his kiss
The memory of his affection and intimacy
I guess he's not for me
I have come to the realization that he is not the right person for me.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind