Yesterdays
Tatum Art Lyrics
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Now it looks as though they're here to stay
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
Suddenly, I'm not half the man I used to be,
There's a shadow hanging over me.
Oh, yesterday came suddenly.
Why she had to go I don't know she wouldn't say.
Yesterday, love was such an easy game to play.
Now I need a place to hide away.
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
Mm, mm, mm, mm, mm
The lyrics of Tatum Art's song "Yesterdays" are heavily inspired by the Beatles' song "Yesterday". The song starts with the line "Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away" which is a direct quote from the Beatles' song. The singer reminisces about the past and how things used to be easier. However, now it seems that the problems of the past are still lingering and the singer feels like he is not the same person he used to be. The line "there's a shadow hanging over me" suggests that the singer is struggling with depression or anxiety.
The second stanza of the song is about the singer's lost love. He is haunted by the memory of her leaving and wonders why she had to go. The line "I said something wrong, now I long for yesterday" suggests that the singer made a mistake that led to the end of the relationship. The third stanza is about how love used to be easy but now the singer needs a place to hide away. The repetition of "Oh, I believe in yesterday" throughout the song suggests that the singer is trying to hold onto the memories of the past as a source of comfort.
Line by Line Meaning
Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away
In the past, my problems felt distant and insignificant.
Now it looks as though they're here to stay
Currently, my troubles seem permanent and persistent.
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
I fondly reminisce on the past and cling to its memories.
Suddenly, I'm not half the man I used to be,
All at once, I feel less capable and confident than before.
There's a shadow hanging over me.
A dark and heavy feeling looms over me, affecting my mood.
Oh, yesterday came suddenly.
My thoughts of the past arrived abruptly and unexpectedly.
Why she had to go I don't know she wouldn't say.
I do not understand the reason she left me, as she did not provide an explanation.
I said something wrong, now I long for yesterday.
My regretful mistake has caused me to yearn for a time before it occurred.
Yesterday, love was such an easy game to play.
In the past, navigating love and relationships felt effortless.
Now I need a place to hide away.
Currently, I desire a space of retreat and solitude.
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
I continue to idealize and hold onto the comfort of the past.
Mm, mm, mm, mm, mm
Vocalizations to end the song.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JEROME KERN, OTTO HARBACH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mark
So grateful that there is actually footage of this awesome talent, even if there isn't that much be as it may. It is almost unfathomable to actually see him moving across the keyboard. When I listen to just the recordings without video, I find myself not believing another human being is creating all that sound himself. Gives me shivers to see this man play. Completely effortless technique, it's almost like his hands were robust enough to handle any physical demand the piano needed. To play in Art's style of stride requires tremendous strength, coordination and stamina. Never has a musician garnered so much respect from all facets of the music world. The great Vladimir Horowitz once said something along the lines of, if Tatum ever decided to take up playing classical music seriously, he would quit the following day.
Squirrel Patrick
I think the quote is apocryphal... but Tatum had that effect on other pianists. I think the story about Les Paul quitting piano immediately for guitar on hearing Tatum is true.
Christopher Czaja Sager
Horowitz & Rachmaninoff often attended Tatum's gigs........................
today, Volodos 'carries on' the kinship !
Tobias Andrews
The king. Can't be touched.
jibsmokestack1
@Adam Paley Thanks for mentioning Newborn Jr. Ofter forgotten these days.
Adam Paley
There’s Tatum at the top, then Peterson, Garner and Phineas Newborn, Jr. sharing the second tier, each magical in their own way.
khlymore
@Herman Ingram yep, i agree with you, hard to match the control of a blind man on his fingers only nobuyuki tsuji which is also blind and gold medalist and been playing since age 1 something year old got that kind of level and control, this coming Octover 13 is the 111th anniversary of Art Tatum i found a super fast song called i know that you know and felt in love with that song, i started practicing and prepared the song this is the stride part https://youtu.be/yIvKKiHmObU and this is the full song https://youtu.be/e_562_Y3c6I and yes oscar himself said he was no match for art tatum you can see that right here VERY FUNNY https://youtu.be/YAeT3Dr74Ys
Tobias Andrews
@Bobby Fischer Agreed. Although, I do get Peterson and Tatum mixed up sometimes. It's another absolute genius thing about Peterson. He is a master chameleon of style, but with his own spin on it. I just love them both and really find it difficult to say who's better. A similar as they are, they are also worlds apart. Tenderly is one of my favorite jazz tracks of all time. I remember the summer i first heard it and i listened to it over and over and over again. But Tatum... you kind of have to put him aside and then talk about everyone else. Maybe Garner is in that, "There's him and then everybody else" category, too. Sigh... so many giants.
Herman Ingram
Bobby Fischer
Not even close. Observe the way that Tatum moves his hands/fingers with Peterson. Peterson is comparatively pedestrian.
IAmThatIAm
Idk why but 2:07 never ceases to give me chills and goosebumps when he hits that last chord and he looks up with the biggest smile on his face....holy crap!!!!