Yesterdays
The Modern Jazz Quartet Lyrics
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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.
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
The Modern Jazz Quartet's rendition of "Yesterdays" is a soulful reinterpretation of the famous song originally written and performed by The Beatles. The first verse paints a picture of nostalgia and longing for a simpler time, where all the singer's troubles seemed far away. However, the next line shatters this dreamlike state by revealing that these troubles are still present and persistent. Despite this, the singer still believes in "yesterday", which can be interpreted as a metaphor for a time before their problems arose. The second verse introduces a love interest who has left the singer, leaving a shadow over their life. The singer cannot understand why their lover left and believes that they said something wrong, leading them to "long for yesterday". The final verse describes how love was "an easy game to play" before, but now the singer needs a place to hide away. The song ends with a repeated "mmm" that adds to the wistful atmosphere and suggests that, despite their current struggles, the singer still believes in the power of memories to bring comfort.
Interestingly, there are a few notable differences between The Modern Jazz Quartet's version of "Yesterdays" and The Beatles' original. Firstly, The Modern Jazz Quartet is known for their sophisticated and complex arrangements, which is evident in their version of this song. They add extended improvisational sections and solos, which transform the song into a complex jazz masterpiece. Secondly, The Beatles' version of "Yesterday" was written and performed by Paul McCartney as a solo artist, while The Modern Jazz Quartet's version has no individual lead singer or instrumentalist. Instead, the band members take turns showcasing their skills, resulting in a more equal and cohesive performance.
Line by Line Meaning
Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away
In the past, all the problems the singer faced appeared distant and insignificant.
Now it looks as though they're here to stay
Currently, the singer's issues have become a permanent part of their life.
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
The singer has faith in the good times of the past.
Suddenly, I'm not half the man I used to be,
The artist feels that they have lost a part of themselves in a rapid and unexpected manner.
There's a shadow hanging over me.
The artist is experiencing a feeling of gloom or dread.
Oh, yesterday came suddenly.
The singer is still surprised and shocked by events that unfolded in the past.
Why she had to go I don't know she wouldn't say.
The singer does not understand why someone important to them left and refused to explain the reason.
I said something wrong, now I long for yesterday.
By making a mistake, the artist wishes they could return to a time when things were better and they had not created the current situation.
Yesterday, love was such an easy game to play.
In the past, love came easily and required little effort for the artist.
Now I need a place to hide away.
Currently, the artist desires a location where they can feel safe and find refuge from their issues.
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
The singer continues to have faith in the past and yearns for a return to those times.
Mm, mm, mm, mm, mm
This line is a vocalization that serves as a pause or break in the lyrics.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JEROME KERN, OTTO HARBACH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind