They Say
Teddy Wilson & His Orchestra W/ Billie Holiday Lyrics
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For a fool such as I
They say you just believe
In hello and goodbye
And they say that the one I admire
Isn't even remotely concerned
And that I'll go on playing with fire
Until I have learned
They say I shouldn't dream
Of your face in the moon
They say all of my dreams will be
Nightmares too soon
Let them talk
Let them think what they want to
If it makes them feel happy that way
I know I'll always love you
No matter what they say
The lyrics of "They Say" are infused with heartache, as a lover is being criticized by others for choosing someone who is considered unworthy of their affection. The opening lines "They say you have no lips, for a fool such as I" introduces the belief that the person they love is not deserving of their love. The following line, "They say you just believe in hello and goodbye" implies that the loved one is not interested in a serious, committed relationship. The idea is that the beloved is not invested in the relationship emotionally or may not have the same feelings as the singer.
The lyrics go on to say that people believe that the person being admired is not interested in the singer's affections at all, leading them to keep playing with fire until they learn. The chorus admits that the warnings and the comments may be true, but the singer is determined to keep loving the person, no matter what anyone says.
The lyrics are characteristic of a classic love song between two people from different walks of life, with social pressure and external opinion adding an extra layer of conflict to their story. Despite the negativity and warnings, the singer is determined to hold on to the love they feel, leading to a poetic and beautifully tragic account of the power of love.
Line by Line Meaning
They say you have no lips
People talk about you as if you don't have attractive lips
For a fool such as I
They claim that I'm foolish to be attracted to you
They say you just believe
According to rumor, you only trust in
In hello and goodbye
Saying goodbye and greeting someone is all you care about, per the gossip
And they say that the one I admire
The same individuals say that the individual I'm fond of
Isn't even remotely concerned
Is completely unconcerned or indifferent about me
And that I'll go on playing with fire
According to them, I'll keep taking chances despite the risks
Until I have learned
Until I learn a lesson the hard way
My heart has been burned
My heart will be shattered
They say I shouldn't dream
People warn me not to fantasize
Of your face in the moon
They think that I should quit imagining your face in the moon
They say all of my dreams will be
According to these naysayers, all of my reveries will turn out to be
Nightmares too soon
Bad dreams; scary nightmares
Let them talk
I will allow them to chat
Let them think what they want to
They can continue to think about whatever they like
If it makes them feel happy that way
That makes them feel happy and fulfilled
I know I'll always love you
However, I am aware that I will still love you
No matter what they say
Despite what people say
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Edward Heyman, Paul Mann, Stephan Weiss
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mochawitch
Lovely
@elianadelpizzo7141
Billie Holiday,Eterna!!!!
@michaelpoole9595
I've never heard this before - it's glorious, and what a fantastic orchestra. Hopefully we'll hear more of this ensemble.
@ljummen
Wonderful and good to have this one and many others on 78s! Timeless jazz for sure!
@StevenSmith-nq5xe
Wonderful track, sound, images. Thank you!
@Remi-B-Goode
what a band!
@elis6299
Hard to believe that she was just 20 here! Marvelous.
@davidglow3
She made her first records two years earlier with the full Benny Goodman band..Her father played with Fletcher Henderson band and was a vain,ladies man..He would refer Billie as his sister,so as not to cramp his style with young femmes.
@IlarioSchanzer
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ LIKE ⭐⭐ ⭐ ⭐
@Harryset1
Wet and cold over here -- so more Swing - Pretty,pretty please?