If You Could See Me Now
Sarah Vaughan with Tadd Dameron and his Orchestra Lyrics

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If you could see me now, you'd know how blue I've been
One look is all you'd need to see the mood I'm in.
Perhaps then you'd realize I'm still in love with you.
If you could see me now, you'd find me being brave
And trying awfully hard to make my tears behave
But that's quite impossible, I'm still in love with you.

You'll happen my way on some mem'rable day

And the month will be May for a while.
I'll try to smile but can I play the part
Without my heart behind the smile?

The way I feel for you I never could disguise

The look of love is written plainly in my eyes.
I think you'd be mine again if you could see me now.

Overall Meaning

"If You Could See Me Now" is a heartfelt ballad that expresses the pain of unrequited love. The lyrics convey a sense of longing and vulnerability, inviting the listener to imagine the depth of the singer's emotions.

In the first verse, the singer pleads for the person they are addressing to truly see and understand the extent of their sadness. They suggest that if the person could witness their emotional state, they would realize that the singer is still deeply in love with them. This line emphasizes the contrast between the surface appearance and the hidden anguish.

The second verse portrays the singer's attempt to appear strong and composed in the face of their unrequited love. However, they acknowledge that it is nearly impossible to control their tears because their feelings for this person are still present and intense. This verse conveys the struggle to maintain a facade of bravery and conceal the pain that persists within.

The bridge of the song introduces a glimpse of hope. It suggests that someday, perhaps in May, the person who has been the subject of the singer's affections will cross paths with them again. The singer expresses their willingness to smile and pretend to be fine, but they question whether they can truly play the part without their heart being fully engaged.

The final verse reveals the depth of the singer's love for this person. They admit that their feelings cannot be hidden, as the look of love can be clearly seen in their eyes. With a sense of optimism, the singer believes that if this person could witness their current state, they would be able to rekindle their love once more. The lyrics leave the listener with a sense of longing, anticipation, and the possibility of a happy ending.

Line by Line Meaning

If you could see me now, you'd know how blue I've been
Were you to observe my current state, it would be evident just how deeply sorrowful I truly feel.

One look is all you'd need to see the mood I'm in.
A single glance from you would be sufficient for you to grasp the emotional turmoil I am experiencing.

Perhaps then you'd realize I'm still in love with you.
In that moment, you might understand that my feelings for you have not faded; I remain profoundly in love.

If you could see me now, you'd find me being brave
Should you encounter me at this moment, you would observe my attempts to show courage despite my pain.

And trying awfully hard to make my tears behave
I am exerting great effort to maintain my composure and control my emotions, restraining the tears that threaten to spill.

But that's quite impossible, I'm still in love with you.
However, this exertion is futile, for my love for you persists unchanged and overwhelms my attempts to hide my sadness.

You'll happen my way on some mem'rable day
I hold onto the hope that you will cross my path again on a day that feels significant and cherished.

And the month will be May for a while.
In this imagined reunion, I envision it taking place during the month of May, a time often associated with renewal and hope.

I'll try to smile but can I play the part
I will make an effort to appear happy, but I question whether I can convincingly portray joy.

Without my heart behind the smile?
It is difficult to genuinely smile when my heart is heavy with unacknowledged love and pain.

The way I feel for you I never could disguise
My affection for you is so strong that I have never been able to conceal it from the world.

The look of love is written plainly in my eyes.
My eyes reveal the unmistakable emotions of love I harbor for you, overflowing without any effort to hide it.

I think you'd be mine again if you could see me now.
I believe that if you were aware of my true feelings and state of being at this moment, you would realize our bond could be rekindled.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CARL SIGMAN, TADD DAMERON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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