The Man I Love
Thelonious Monk Lyrics


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Someday he'll come along
The man I love
And he'll be big and strong
The man I love
And when he comes my way
I'll do my best to make him stay

He'll look at me and smile
I'll understand
Then in a little while
He'll take my hand
And though it seems absurd
I know we both won't say a word

Maybe I shall meet him Sunday
Maybe Monday, maybe not
Still I'm sure to meet him one day
Maybe Tuesday will be my good news day
He'll build a little home
That's meant for two
From which I'll never roam
Who would, would you




And so all else above
I'm dreaming of the man I love

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Thelonious Monk's "The Man I Love" reveal a sense of hopefulness and longing for love. The song is about the anticipation of meeting the perfect partner, “the man I love,” who will provide the kind of love and security in life that fulfills one’s needs. The lyrics collaborate with the melody to convey a feeling of comfort and simplicity. It begins with a sense of yearning for that perfect partner. The lyrics “someday he'll come along, the man I love” highlight that the singer is waiting for someone special to come in their life, someone who is “big and strong” – qualities that provide protection and security.


The second stanza goes deeper into the singer's dreamy imagination, as she tries to imagine how they will feel and act when they finally meet. The lyrics bring forth the idea of the possibility of some kind of telepathic connection as she says "he'll look at me and smile I'll understand, then in a little while, he'll take my hand, and though it seems absurd, I know we both won't say a word". The last stanza touches the point of the scenery of their relationship as she touches on building a longetivity that confines two, something that can provide fulfilment, safety, and love.


Overall, the song portrays a positive, promising message of love, an everlasting hopefulness for that perfect other-half. The melody, backed by Monk's intricate playing, compliments the lyrics in a manner that is captivating and pure.


Line by Line Meaning

Someday he'll come along
At some undefined time in the future, a man will arrive in my life


The man I love
He is the object of my affection and adoration


And he'll be big and strong
He will be physically imposing and intimidating


And when he comes my way
When our paths cross


I'll do my best to make him stay
I will try my hardest to keep him in my life


He'll look at me and smile
He will gaze into my eyes and beam with happiness


I'll understand
Without speaking, I will comprehend his intentions and feelings


Then in a little while
Soon after his arrival


He'll take my hand
He will hold my hand affectionately


And though it seems absurd
Despite the irrationality of the situation


I know we both won't say a word
Neither of us will need to speak to express our emotions


Maybe I shall meet him Sunday
Perhaps I will encounter him on a Sunday


Maybe Monday, maybe not
Maybe it will be on a Monday, but maybe it will not


Still I'm sure to meet him one day
Despite the uncertainty, I am confident that I will eventually find him


Maybe Tuesday will be my good news day
Perhaps Tuesday will be the day when I receive positive news about him


He'll build a little home
He will construct a small dwelling


That's meant for two
It will be a cozy abode for the two of us


From which I'll never roam
I will never depart from this place


Who would, would you
No one would want to leave such a delightful home, don't you agree?


And so all else above
Despite everything else in my life


I'm dreaming of the man I love
I am constantly fantasizing about the man I adore




Lyrics © RALEIGH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GEORGE GERSHWIN, IRA GERSHWIN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@khesanhbo

Anyone familiar with Thelonius knows his music anytime you hear him.He has been "The Man"for a very long time and I thank you for playing this.

@robbieborne3991

I had to go see him twice. He actually showed the second time. What an experience!!

@merecedecarson2573

In complete awe...why am I just hearing this?

Why was I only taught Bach and Mozart for piano? When I should have known about this...this genius. ❤

@grateberk6435

Listen to Previn with Doris Day

@4u2btrue

I was digging him while everyone else was into the Beatles. He makes such beautiful music.

@gary24k

Same with me. There was no comparison- he was way ahead. I was a teenager then and it affected me socially.

@joshuaeg5629

This album cover is awesome. It makes monk even cooler than he already is

@124blackbirds

This is truly the greatest rendition of the classic The Man I Love. It is pure Monk

@antoineguerin5102

I have been studying and teaching Harmony and all sort of musical systems for decades, but each time I listen to Monsieur Monk, I fill stupid with my backpack full of knowledge, ever ready for a trip I will never make, just fancying what Monsieur Monk really saw, beyond the high mountains that hide us the awsom landscape of Truth. Maybe this place is over the rainbow...But, damn, what did actually he see ???????????

@espectro3914

Very true, Monk plays anoth league

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