'Round Midnight
Tempo Jazzmen Lyrics
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'round midnight, midnight.
I do pretty well, till after sundown,
Suppertime I'm feelin' sad;
But it really gets bad,
'round midnight.
Memories always start 'round midnight
When my heart is still with you,
And ol' midnight knows it, too.
When a quarrel we had needs mending,
Does it mean that our love is ending.
Darlin' I need you, lately I find
You're out of my heart,
And I'm out of my mind.
Let our hearts take wings'
'round midnight, midnight
Let the angels sing,
for your returning.
Till our love is safe and sound.
And old midnight comes around.
Feelin' sad,
really gets bad
Round, Round, Round Midnight
The lyrics to "Round Midnight" by the Tempo Jazzmen depict a sense of melancholy that arises during the late hours of the night. The singer reminisces about a love that has gone astray and now, in the darkness of midnight, memories come flooding back. The lyrics suggest that the singer is feeling sad and has a heavy heart, which is only compounded by the late hour. The lyrics also suggest that the singer is questioning the strength of his love, wondering whether a past quarrel has caused irreparable damage.
The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the effect that the late hour can have on a person's mood and state of mind. The desperation in the singer's voice as he pleads for his love's return suggests that he is hopelessly lost without her. The use of repetition of the word "round" creates a sense of circularity, suggesting that the singer is trapped in a cycle of sadness and despair.
Overall, "Round Midnight" is a powerful meditation on the impact that time and memory can have on our emotions. The song's haunting melody and evocative lyrics make it a true classic of the jazz genre.
Line by Line Meaning
It begins to tell, 'round midnight, midnight.
The feelings and memories associated with the singer's lost love begin to intensify around the late-night hour of midnight.
I do pretty well, till after sundown, Suppertime I'm feelin' sad;
The singer is able to keep their emotions in check during the day, but as the evening approaches they become increasingly melancholy.
But it really gets bad, 'round midnight.
However, it is around midnight that the singer's sadness and longing become overwhelming.
Memories always start 'round midnight
The singer's memories of their lost love are inevitably triggered around midnight.
Haven't got the heart to stand those memories,
The singer finds it emotionally difficult to confront the memories of their lost love that are brought up around midnight.
When my heart is still with you,
Despite the passage of time, the singer's heart still belongs to their lost love.
And ol' midnight knows it, too.
Even the late-night hour seems to recognize the singer's ongoing love for their lost partner.
When a quarrel we had needs mending, Does it mean that our love is ending.
The singer wonders whether a past conflict with their lost love will spell the end of their relationship.
Darlin' I need you, lately I find You're out of my heart, And I'm out of my mind.
The singer admits they are struggling with the absence of their lost love, which has left them feeling empty and incomplete.
Let our hearts take wings' 'round midnight, midnight
The singer hopes that they and their lost love will be reunited, and imagines them soaring together through the night sky.
Let the angels sing, for your returning.
The singer envisions their lost love arriving back in their life, heralded by a celebratory chorus of angels.
Till our love is safe and sound. And old midnight comes around.
The singer dreams of a future where their love is secure and lasting, and midnight no longer stirs painful memories.
Feelin' sad, really gets bad Round, Round, Round Midnight
The repetition of the phrase emphasizes the singer's intense emotional distress, which only grows worse as the night wears on.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cootie Williams, Bernard D Hanighen, Theolonious S Monk
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind