Theodore Shaw "Teddy" Wilson (born 1912-11-24 in Austin, Texas-died 1986-07… Read Full Bio ↴Theodore Shaw "Teddy" Wilson (born 1912-11-24 in Austin, Texas-died 1986-07-31 in New Britain, Connecticut) was a jazz pianist from the United States . His sophisticated and elegant style graced the records of many of the biggest names in jazz, including Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald.

Wilson studied piano and violin at Tuskegee Institute. After working in the Speed Webb and Louis Armstrong bands, he joined Benny Carter's Chocolate Dandies in 1933. In 1935 he joined the Benny Goodman Trio (which consisted of Goodman, Wilson and drummer Gene Krupa, later expanded to the Benny Goodman Quartet with the addition of Lionel Hampton). The trio performed during the big band's intermissions. By joining the Trio, Wilson became the first black musician to perform in public with a previously all-white jazz group.

In the 1930s and 1940s he recorded fifty hit records with various singers such as Lena Horne and Helen Ward, including many of Billie Holiday's most successful records. During these years he also recorded many highly regarded sessions with a wide range of important swing musicians, such as Lester Young, Roy Eldridge, Charlie Shavers, Red Norvo, Buck Clayton and Ben Webster.

Wilson formed his own short-lived big band in 1939, then led a sextet at Cafe Society from 1940 to 1944. In the 1950s he taught at the Juilliard School. Wilson performed as a soloist and with pick-up groups up until the final years of his life.

This is the Moment
Teddy Wilson Lyrics

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Can't you see
What love and romance have done to me
I'm not the same as I used to be
This is my last affair

Tragedy just seems to be the end of me
My happiness is misery
This is my last affair

Right from the start
You took my love
Tore my heart apart
Now there's nothing new to look forward to
My dreams won't come true

So I'll make a vow, make a vow
No more to love's line will I bow

I cross my heart and feel it now
This is my last affair

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Teddy Wilson's "My Last Affair" explore the pain of a romantic relationship that has gone wrong. The opening lines "Can't you see what love and romance have done to me" speak to the transformative power of love, suggesting that it has left the singer feeling unrecognizable. The repetition of the phrase "This is my last affair" throughout the song suggests that the singer has been hurt so deeply that they are finally ready to give up on love altogether.

The second verse, which begins "Tragedy just seems to be the end of me," is particularly poignant. The singer is expressing profound sadness and a sense of hopelessness about their life. They perceive that their happiness has been replaced by misery, which speaks to the profound effect that Love has on people. The final verse, where the singer vows to never fall in love again, seems like a desperate attempt to protect themselves from further pain. However, the final repetition of the phrase "This is my last affair" suggests that the singer is not quite sure that they can follow through on this promise.

Line by Line Meaning

Can't you see
Do you not realize

What love and romance have done to me
How love and romance have changed me

I'm not the same as I used to be
I am not the person I once was

This is my last affair
I have decided to end all romantic relationships from this point on

Tragedy just seems to be the end of me
My life has been full of unfortunate events

My happiness is misery
What brings me joy is actually causing me pain

This is my last affair
I have made the decision to not pursue any more romantic relationships

Right from the start
From the very beginning

You took my love
You accepted my love

Tore my heart apart
Caused me great emotional pain

Now there's nothing new to look forward to
I have lost hope for future happiness