Just One of Those Things
The Jazz Messengers Lyrics


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Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away
Now it looks as though they're here to stay
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
Suddenly, I'm not half the man I used to be,

There's a shadow hanging over me.
Oh, yesterday came suddenly.
Why she had to go I don't know she wouldn't say.
I said something wrong, now I long for yesterday.

Yesterday, love was such an easy game to play.
Now I need a place to hide away.




Oh, I believe in yesterday.
Mm, mm, mm, mm, mm

Overall Meaning

The Jazz Messengers’ rendition of “Just One of Those Things” delivers an emotion-filled version of the timeless classic. The opening line, “Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away” is instantly recognizable as the lyrics of “Yesterday” by The Beatles. Yet, within the context of this song, the line takes on a new meaning. Rather than the feelings of nostalgia and loneliness often associated with “Yesterday,” the lyrics are more directly reflective of the pain and longing brought on by a lover’s departure. The singer is haunted by the memories and emotions of his past love, the pain “suddenly” arriving unbearably.


The next line, “Now it looks as though they're here to stay,” underscores the feeling that nothing will ever be the same again. The singer has lost something that cannot be retrieved, and this loss casts a “shadow” over him. The lyrics are an exploration of heartache and the desire to return to a time that is no longer possible, highlighted by the refrain, “Oh, I believe in yesterday.”


The song speaks to the universality of heartbreak and how it can consume us. In the end, the singer can only find solace in the past, with the line, “Oh, yesterday came suddenly”.


Line by Line Meaning

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away
In the past, my problems seemed distant and insignificant.


Now it looks as though they're here to stay
Currently, my issues seem permanent and inescapable.


Oh, I believe in yesterday.
I have a strong connection to the past and the memories it holds.


Suddenly, I'm not half the man I used to be,
Unexpectedly, my identity and confidence have diminished significantly.


There's a shadow hanging over me.
There is an overwhelming feeling of darkness and despair hovering over me.


Oh, yesterday came suddenly.
The past, with all its emotions and regrets, resurfaced without warning.


Why she had to go I don't know she wouldn't say.
I am unsure why my significant other left and they refused to explain their reasons.


I said something wrong, now I long for yesterday.
My actions or words led to the end of my relationship and now I regret what I did or said.


Yesterday, love was such an easy game to play.
In the past, my love life was simple and uncomplicated.


Now I need a place to hide away.
Currently, I need to escape my problems and find a safe haven.


Oh, I believe in yesterday.
Once again, I have a deep connection to the past and the comfort it offers.


Mm, mm, mm, mm, mm
This non-verbal sound conveys a sense of sadness or melancholy.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JEROME KERN, OTTO HARBACH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Hermann Otto

Kenny Dorham was a fantastic trumpeter,not always climbing to dizzy heights and leaves big gaps to fill w my own thoughts

Ready-Adhesiveness40

Thought I was listening to Brownie here! Yep, pretty great blowin'

Manutuba Whistler

Super ! Really good music !

Alan Gonzalez Martinez

LOVE THIS

James

I hate this style of jazz. So does everyone, except those who play it.

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