I'm Always Chasing Rainbows
Tony Bennett; Tony Bennett; Arranged and conducted by Marty Manning Lyrics


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I'm always chasing rainbows
Watching clouds drifting by
My schemes are just like all my dreams
Ending in the sky
Some fellows look and find the sunshine
I always look and find the rain
Some fellows make a winning sometimes
I never even make a gain
Believe me, I'm always chasing rainbows
Waiting to find a little bluebird in vain

I'm always chasing rainbows
Watching clouds drifting by
My schemes are just like all my dreams
Ending in the sky
Some fellows look and find the sunshine
I always look and find the rain
Some fellows make a winning sometimes




I never even make a gain
Believe me, I'm always chasing rainbows

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows" by Tony Bennett speak to the idea of always searching for something elusive and unattainable. The imagery of chasing rainbows and watching clouds drifting by suggests a constant pursuit of something that can never be fully grasped. The singer laments that while others are able to find sunshine and occasionally experience success, he is always left with rain and never able to make any gains. He longs to find a little bluebird, a symbol of hope and happiness, but knows that his pursuit may be in vain.


The song was originally written in 1918 by Harry Carroll and Joseph McCarthy for the Broadway musical "Oh, Look!" and has been covered by many artists over the years. The melancholic melody and reflective lyrics have made it a beloved standard, and it has been interpreted by the likes of Judy Garland, Perry Como, and Barbra Streisand. Despite its simple structure and lyrics, the song has remained popular for over a century and continues to resonate with audiences today.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm always chasing rainbows
I'm constantly pursuing something that may not even exist, a seemingly unattainable and constantly shifting goal.


Watching clouds drifting by
As I chase these rainbows, I watch life pass me by, feeling as if I'm not actually living in the moment.


My schemes are just like all my dreams
My plans and ideas are just like my nighttime fantasies, they're all in my head and never come to fruition.


Ending in the sky
As my dreams and plans fade away, they simply disappear into the ether, never becoming a reality.


Some fellows look and find the sunshine
Other people seem to have a more positive outlook and can find happiness and success more easily than I do.


I always look and find the rain
I seem to have a pessimistic view on life, constantly seeing the negative in any situation.


Some fellows make a winning sometimes
Others are sometimes able to achieve their goals or find success, showing that it is possible.


I never even make a gain
Despite my efforts, I never seem to make any progress or accomplish anything worthwhile.


Believe me, I'm always chasing rainbows
I want others to understand that my pursuit of seemingly impossible goals is a constant, never-ending battle.


Waiting to find a little bluebird in vain
In my search for happiness and success, I'm holding out hope for an unlikely and perhaps fictional symbol of hope.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HARRY CARROLL, JOSEPH JOE MC CARTHY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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