The Dave Brubeck Quartet was an American modern jazz group formed in San Fr… Read Full Bio ↴The Dave Brubeck Quartet was an American modern jazz group formed in San Francisco in 1951 by jazz pianist Dave Brubeck (1920-2012). In what became known as the band's classic line-up, the band featured Joe Morello (1928–2011) on drums, Eugene Wright (1923-2020) on bass, and Paul Desmond (1924-1977) on saxophone. The band remains best-known for their use of odd time signatures, and were a premier group in the cool jazz movement. They produced several standards, including Take Five and Blue Rondo à la Turk.

Throughout the years, and changing line-ups, the group maintained a strong fan-base among jazz fans of all ages.

I'll Never Smile Again
The Dave Brubeck Quartet Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'll never smile again
Until I smile at you
I'll never laugh again
What good would it do?
For tears would fill my eyes
My heart would realize
That our romance is through

I'll never love again
I'm so in love with you
I'll never thrill again
To somebody new
Within my heart
I know I will never start

To smile again
Until I smile at you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "I'll Never Smile Again" are a poignant and melancholy reflection on lost love. The singer declares that he will never again experience happiness or joy until he is reunited with the object of his affection. He recognizes that any attempt to move on and find love with someone else would be futile, as his heart is still solely devoted to his lost love.

The repetition of the phrase "I'll never" emphasizes the finality of the situation, and the use of the present tense throughout suggests that the pain of the breakup is still raw and immediate. When the singer declares that he will never again smile or laugh, it is not an exaggeration - his heart is truly too heavy to allow him to experience any joy.

Ultimately, the song is a heartbreaking meditation on the profound impact that lost love can have on our lives. The singer's longing for his lost love is palpable and moving, and the song is a testament to the enduring power of heartbreak.

Line by Line Meaning

I'll never smile again
I can't find a reason to smile without you.

Until I smile at you
You're the only one who can make me truly happy again.

I'll never laugh again
The pain of losing you has taken away my ability to find joy in anything.

What good would it do?
Laughing would only serve as a reminder that you're not here with me.

For tears would fill my eyes
The sadness and heartbreak I feel is so immense that I can't help but cry.

My heart would realize
I'm coming to terms with the reality that our relationship is over.

That our romance is through
There's no going back to the way things were between us.

I'll never love again
I can't imagine loving anyone else as deeply as I loved you.

I'm so in love with you
My love for you still burns strong, but it's a painful reminder of what we've lost.

I'll never thrill again
The excitement and anticipation of a new love has lost its appeal without you.

To somebody new
I can't fathom the thought of being with anyone else.

Within my heart
Deep down, I know that my love for you will never fade.

I know I will never start
I've accepted that I will never be able to move on from you.

To smile again
Until you're back by my side, I know I'll never be truly happy again.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Glenn Osser, Ruth Lowe

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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