April In Paris
Sarah Vaughan & Clifford Brown Sextet Lyrics

Sarah Vaughan's song "April in Paris" is an ode to the beauty and charm of the French capital in the springtime. The opening lines reflect a sense of novelty and unexpected discovery, as the singer confesses to have never understood the appeal of this particular season until she experienced it in Paris. The reference to "never meeting [spring] face to face" suggests a level of detachment or distance from nature and its cyclical rhythms, or perhaps a lack of appreciation for the changing of the seasons. Similarly, expressing surprise at the realization that one's heart can sing or feel the absence of warmth and affection suggests a degree of emotional awakening or vulnerability.

The second stanza returns to the theme of April in Paris, specifically the sensory and atmospheric details that evoke its unique mood. Chestnuts in blossom are a symbol of renewal and rebirth, while holiday tables under the trees evoke a sense of leisure, conviviality, and conviviality. The repetition of the phrase "April in Paris" reinforces the idea that this experience cannot be replicated elsewhere, and that it encapsulates a particular feeling or state of mind that is singular and precious.

The final lines of the song add an interesting twist, as the singer addresses an unknown person or force that has "done something" to her heart. The ambiguous pronouns and lack of context leave open the possibility that the singer is either addressing a former lover, a mentor, a spiritual entity, or simply the city of Paris itself. The use of the rhetorical question "whom can I run to?" suggests a sense of helplessness or dependence on this entity, as if the feeling of April in Paris has become a source of both joy and longing that cannot be easily replicated or replaced.