Just One of Those Things
The Paul Smith Quartet Lyrics
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To her boyfriend, "fare thee well"
As columbus announced
When he knew he was bounced,
"it was swell, isabel, swell"
As abelard said to eloise,
"don't forget to drop a line to me, please"
"romeo, why not face the fact, my dear"
It was just one of those things
Just one of those crazy flings
One of those bells that now and then rings
Just one of those things
It was just one of those nights
Just one of those fabulous flights
A trip to the moon on gossamer wings
Just one of those things
If we'd thought a bit, of the end of it
When we started painting the town
We'd have been aware that our love affair
Was too hot, not to cool down
So good-bye, dear, and amen
Here's hoping we meet now and then
It was great fun
But it was just one of those things
If we'd thought a bit, of the end of it
When we started painting the town
We'd have been aware that our love affair
Was too hot, not to cool down
So good-bye, dear, and amen
Here's hoping we meet now and then
It was great fun
But it was just one of those things
Just one of those things
The Paul Smith Quartet's song "Just One of Those Things" is a tribute to the fleeting, ephemeral nature of passion and romance. The lyrics reference several historical figures and their infamous love affairs, including Dorothy Parker and her boyfriend, Columbus and his dismissal from Queen Isabella's court, Abelard and Eloise, and, of course, Romeo and Juliet. The idea is that these love stories were all ultimately doomed, in some way or another, despite the intensity and magic of the initial connection. The chorus repeats the phrase "just one of those things" to drive home this point, emphasizing the idea that even the most incredible romance can be reduced to a passing phase, a temporary fling.
The song is at once nostalgic and wistful, mournful of the loss of something beautiful and exciting, but also resigned to the inevitability of its end. The final lines, "It was great fun, but it was just one of those things," encapsulate this sentiment perfectly. The singer is thankful for the experience, but doesn't dwell on what could have been, instead accepting that the love affair was always destined to be a brief, intense interlude. The Paul Smith Quartet's performance of the song is smooth, jazzy, and understated, allowing the lyrics to take center stage and drive home their message of inevitable transience.
Line by Line Meaning
As dorothy parker once said
As the famous writer Dorothy Parker once commented
To her boyfriend, "fare thee well"
She bid farewell to her boyfriend
As columbus announced
Similar to when Christopher Columbus spoke
When he knew he was bounced,
When he realized he was rejected
"it was swell, isabel, swell"
He remarked how wonderful it was, despite the rejection
As abelard said to eloise,
As the medieval philosopher Abelard expressed to his lover Eloise
"don't forget to drop a line to me, please"
Asking her to write to him
As juliet cried, in her romeo's ear,
When Juliet tearfully spoke to Romeo
"romeo, why not face the fact, my dear"
Asking Romeo to accept the situation
It was just one of those things
This was just a common occurrence
Just one of those crazy flings
A brief, intense romance
One of those bells that now and then rings
A rare occurrence, like the sound of a distant bell
Just one of those things
This was just a common occurrence
It was just one of those nights
This was just a typical evening
Just one of those fabulous flights
An extraordinary experience
A trip to the moon on gossamer wings
A fantastic, almost impossible journey
Just one of those things
This was just a common occurrence
If we'd thought a bit, of the end of it
If we had considered the possible outcome
When we started painting the town
At the beginning of our wild night out
We'd have been aware that our love affair
We would have realized that our relationship
Was too hot, not to cool down
Was too intense to last
So good-bye, dear, and amen
Farewell, my love, and blessings be with you
Here's hoping we meet now and then
I hope we see each other from time to time
It was great fun
It was a marvelous adventure
But it was just one of those things
But ultimately, it was just a fleeting experience
If we'd thought a bit, of the end of it
If we had considered the possible outcome
When we started painting the town
At the beginning of our wild night out
We'd have been aware that our love affair
We would have realized that our relationship
Was too hot, not to cool down
Was too intense to last
So good-bye, dear, and amen
Farewell, my love, and blessings be with you
Here's hoping we meet now and then
I hope we see each other from time to time
It was great fun
It was a marvelous adventure
But it was just one of those things
But ultimately, it was just a fleeting experience
Just one of those things
This was just a common occurrence
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: COLE PORTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind