Yesterdays
Tony Bennett & Bill Charlap Lyrics
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Asking where you'd gone
It fell softly from the clouds on the silent crowds
As I wandered on
Out of doorways black umbrellas came to pursue me
Faceless people as they passed were looking through me
No one knew me
Drinking in the rain
But your image still was there, floating in the air
Brighter than a flame
Yesterday I saw a city
Full of shadows without pity
And I heard the steady rain
Whispering your name
Whispering your name
Yesterday I saw a city
Full of shadows without pity
And I heard the steady rain
Whispering your name
Whispering your name
The opening lines of Tony Bennett's song "Yesterday I Heard The Rain" evoke a sense of melancholy as the rain falls and whispers the name of someone who is no longer there. The singer is wandering through a crowd of people who don't know him, lost in thought and haunted by memories of a lost love. The black umbrellas suggest a dreary or depressing atmosphere, reflecting the singer's mood as well. The second verse is more introspective, as the singer closes his eyes and lets himself be absorbed by the rain, yet still cannot escape the memory of the person who is no longer present. The final verses sees the singer looking out at the city, full of shadows and devoid of compassion, yet still hearing the persistent whisper of the rain calling out to his lost love.
The song seems to be about the lingering pain of lost love and the lasting impact that love can have on someone even after it's gone. The rain serves as a symbol of the singer's emotional state, reflecting his feelings of sadness and loss. The city, too, serves as a metaphor for the emptiness and loneliness that can come from losing someone important. The use of imagery and symbolism in the lyrics makes for a vivid and emotional portrayal of the singer's experience.
Overall, "Yesterday I Heard The Rain" is a moving and introspective song that explores themes of love, loss and memory. The use of imagery and symbolism helps to paint a vivid picture of the singer's emotional state and the lasting impact of lost love on a person's life.
Line by Line Meaning
Yesterday I heard the rain whispering your name
Yesterday, while walking in the rain, I heard the sound of the rain saying your name as if it was asking where you had gone.
Asking where you'd gone
The rain was curious about your whereabouts.
It fell softly from the clouds on the silent crowds
The rain was falling softly from the clouds onto the quiet people below.
As I wandered on
I kept walking aimlessly without any particular destination in mind.
Out of doorways black umbrellas came to pursue me
People holding black umbrellas walked out of doorways and began following me.
Faceless people as they passed were looking through me
As the faceless people passed me by, they were observing me without any emotion or recognition.
No one knew me
I felt alone and unknown to the people around me.
Yesterday I shut my eyes, face up to the skies
Yesterday, I closed my eyes, looked up towards the sky and let the raindrops fall on my face.
Drinking in the rain
I was drinking in the sensation of the rain on my skin and the sound of it falling all around me.
But your image still was there, floating in the air
Despite the rain and my surroundings, I still could not help but picture your face in my mind.
Brighter than a flame
The image of your face was vibrant and stood out more than anything else around me.
Yesterday I saw a city
I observed a city during this rainy day.
Full of shadows without pity
This city was filled with dark areas, and did not seem to show any mercy.
And I heard the steady rain
The rain remained constant throughout the day.
Whispering your name
The sound of the rain became intertwined with the sound of your name, a constant in my thoughts.
Whispering your name
The rain did not stop whispering your name in my head.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ARMANDO MANZANERO CANCHE, GENE LEES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind