"More addictive than a goddam video game" - Balloon Juice

"One of my very favorite music blogs ever..." - Singer/Songwriter Emma Wallace

"Fascinating... really GREAT!!! You'll learn things about those tunes we all LOVE to play and blow on... SOD is required reading for my advanced students. It's fun, too!" - Nick Mondello of
AllAboutJazz.com

"I never let a day go by without checking it." - Bob Madison of Dinoship.com

"I had dinner the other night with some former WNEW staff members who spoke very highly of your work." - Joe Fay

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

But Not For Me

By George & Ira Gershwin
1930

A poignant example of the Gershwin brothers' way with a heartbreaking ballad, this song was written for Ginger Rogers to perform in the original stage production of Girl Crazy--in which she also introduced the Gershwin standard "Embraceable You". A popular tune, it has since been featured in such films as Manhattan, When Harry Met Sally and Four Weddings and a Funeral.

Lyrics:

They're writing songs of love,
But not for me.
A lucky star's above,
But not for me.

With love to lead the way,
I've found more clouds of gray
Than any Russian play could guarantee.

I was a fool to fall
And get that way;
Heigh-ho! alas!
And also, lack-a-day!

Although I cant dismiss
The memory of his kiss,
I guess he's mot for me.

Hes knocking on a door,
But not for me.
He'll plan a two by four,
But not for me.

I know that love's a game;
I'm puzzled, just the same,
Was I the moth or flame?
I'm all at sea.

It all began so well,
But what an end!
This is the time a feller
Needs a friend.

When every happy plot
Ends with the marriage knot,
And there's no knot for me.

Recorded By:

Chet Baker
Dinah Washington
Judy Garland
John Coltrane
Ella Fitzgerald

No comments:

Listen to The Jonathan Station