But Not for Me
Sonny Stitt Lyrics


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Old man sunshine listen you
Never tell me dreams come true
Just try it and I'll start a riot
Beatrice Fairfax don't you dare
Ever tell me he will care
I'm certain it's the final curtain
I never want to hear from any cheerful Pollyannas
Who tell you fate supplies a mate
It's all bananas

They're writing songs of love but not for me
A lucky star's above but not for me
With love to lead the way I've found more clouds of gray
Than any Russian play could guarantee

I was a fool to fall and get that way
Hi-ho, alas, and also lack-a-day
Although I can't dismiss the memory of his kiss
I guess he's not for me

I was a fool to fall and get that way




Hi-ho, alas, and also lack-a-day
Although I can't dismiss the memory of his kiss

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Sonny Stitt's song "But Not for Me" convey a sense of resignation and heartbreak, as the singer realizes that love is not meant for them. The opening lines establish a sense of cynicism and defiance towards those who try to offer hope, with the old man sunshine and Beatrice Fairfax representing symbols of positivity and optimism. The singer dismisses their words as unrealistic and impossible, as they believe that fate is unpredictable and random.


The chorus of the song echoes the feelings of the singer, emphasizing the idea that love is something unattainable for them. The mention of a lucky star above creates a sense of irony, as the singer feels unlucky in love. The cloud imagery furthers the sense of despair, with the singer feeling as if the world is against them. The reference to a Russian play could be interpreted as an allusion to the tragic love stories often found in Russian literature.


The second verse continues to emphasize the singer's sense of foolishness and regret, as they acknowledge that they fell for someone who was not meant for them. The use of the phrase "hi-ho, alas, and also lack-a-day" creates a sense of wistfulness and sadness, as the singer realizes that what they had wasn't meant to last. The final lines communicate a sense of ambivalence, as the singer acknowledges the memory of a kiss while realizing that the person they were with is not the one for them.


Line by Line Meaning

Old man sunshine listen you
I refuse to listen to optimistic talk or believe in luck.


Never tell me dreams come true
I don't believe in dreams coming true or fate supplying a mate.


Just try it and I'll start a riot
If someone tries to convince me otherwise, I will react strongly and rebelliously.


Beatrice Fairfax don't you dare
I won't listen to advice from Beatrice Fairfax or anyone else.


Ever tell me he will care
I don't want to hear that this person I've fallen for will ever care for me.


I'm certain it's the final curtain
I am sure that this is the end of the line for us.


I never want to hear from any cheerful Pollyannas
I am tired of hearing from overly optimistic people.


Who tell you fate supplies a mate
I reject the idea that fate controls who we end up with.


It's all bananas
It's all nonsense.


They're writing songs of love but not for me
Love songs don't apply to me or my situation.


A lucky star's above but not for me
Even if there is a lucky star, it doesn't shine on me or my love life.


With love to lead the way I've found more clouds of gray
My attempts at love have led to disappointment, heartbreak, and sadness.


Than any Russian play could guarantee
My romance has been more tragic than any fictional account of love and loss.


I was a fool to fall and get that way
I admit that I was foolish to fall in love and let myself get hurt.


Hi-ho, alas, and also lack-a-day
I feel sad and resigned to my romantic fate.


Although I can't dismiss the memory of his kiss
Even though I know it's over, I still remember the good times we had together.


I guess he's not for me
I accept that this person is not meant to be with me.




Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

DrJones - Jazz & More

man that sound is as clean as water

SATOSHEEE E

How many albums of Sonny Stitt which I've never known! Still always performed fantastically.

Maria Pérez Borràs

Tot un plaer escoltar-lo

Edna Fernandes

Obrigada

Hussain Bakar

from the master!

lastknowngood0

Clearly not for me. :-(

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