Throughout the years, and changing line-ups, the group maintained a strong fan-base among jazz fans of all ages.
I May Be Wrong
The Dave Brubeck Quartet Lyrics
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I may be wrong but I think you're swell
I like your style say, I think it's marvelous
I'm always wrong so how can I tell
Deuces to me are all aces
Life is to me just a bore
Faces are all open spaces
You came along say I think you're wonderful
I think you're grand but I may be wrong
I may be wrong but I think you're wonderful
I may be wrong but I think you're swell
I like your style say, I really think it's marvelous
I'm always wrong so how can I tell
Deuces to me are all aces
Life is to me just a bore
Faces are all open spaces
You might be John Barrymore
You came along say I think you're wonderful
I think you're grand but I may be wrong
You said that Edison would never make that light
You laughed at Mr. Franklin with his key and kite
The point of the song is I'm always wrong
But with you baby I'm oh so right.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet's song "I May Be Wrong" is a love song that speaks of the uncertainties and ambiguities of love. The lyrics express the idea that love is a subjective feeling that cannot be quantified or measured. The singer expresses his admiration for his beloved by saying that he thinks she is wonderful and that he likes her style. However, he also admits that he may be wrong, and that he is always wrong. He compares his beloved to John Barrymore, a famous actor of the time, and says that she might be just as famous and talented.
The second stanza of the song talks about the singer's pessimism and boredom with life. He says that deuces are all aces, meaning that everything is the same to him. He finds life to be a bore, and even faces are just open spaces to him. However, the presence of his beloved changes everything. He says that with her, he feels like he's always right. The last two lines of the song are particularly poignant, as they express the idea that even though the singer has been wrong about many things in the past, he believes that with his beloved, he can be right about love.
Line by Line Meaning
I may be wrong but I think you're wonderful
Although I could be mistaken, I believe you are exceptional.
I may be wrong but I think you're swell
I may not be correct, but I believe you are fantastic.
I like your style say, I think it's marvelous
I find your behavior to be wonderful and splendid.
I'm always wrong so how can I tell
I am often incorrect, so it is difficult for me to determine the truth.
Deuces to me are all aces
I hold low-value cards as high-value cards and vice versa.
Life is to me just a bore
To me, life is tedious and uninteresting.
Faces are all open spaces
People's expressions reveal everything to me.
You might be John Barrymore
You could be a famous actor like John Barrymore.
You came along say I think you're wonderful
Since I met you, I have deemed you to be wonderful.
I think you're grand but I may be wrong
I believe you are magnificent, but I cannot be certain.
You said that Edison would never make that light
You stated that Edison's invention was impossible.
You laughed at Mr. Franklin with his key and kite
You ridiculed Franklin's experiment with a kite and a key.
The point of the song is I'm always wrong
The song's central theme is that I am consistently incorrect.
But with you baby I'm oh so right.
However, I am entirely accurate when I am with you, my dear.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HENRY SULLIVAN, RUSKIN HARRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind