But Not For Me
An acquaintance I know has been having troubles with love. And I got to thinking how crazy this world can be
sometimes.
So I've been obsessing over this song lately.
The song is by George and Ira Gershwin, and this particular rendition is performed with tremendous emotion by Judy Garland. And the lyrics are witty... so clever, yet really getting to the heart of things. And testing the natural tendencies of falling in love:
Old man sunshine listen you
never tell me dreams come true
just try it
and I'll start a riot
The song, "But Not For Me"... is classic Gershwin.
It's from the musical, "Girl Crazy", from the 1920's. A very romantic era if you ask me.
But this particular song is about the loss of love, and the anguish of losing that love:
Beatrice Fairfax don't you dare
never tell me he will care
I'm certain
it's the final curtain
I never want to hear from any cheerful Pollyannas
who tell you fate supplies a mate
it's all bananas
But to me, the verse that really gets me is this one, acknowledging that there's love in the air,
but not for this person:
They're writing songs of love
but not for me
A lucky star's above
but not for me
And the following verse goes on to describe love leading the way, but is never returned. And thus leading to sorrow:
With love to lead the way
I've found more skies of gray
than any Russian play could guarantee
And the clincher is realizing that one was foolish in being led to think that this was a mutual love:
I was a fool to fall
and get that way
Heigh ho, alas, and also
lack-a-day
although I can't dismiss
the memory of his kiss
I guess he's not for me
So, I've been playing this song over and over again, mainly because of my fascination with Judy Garland's voice,
and her heartfelt version of this song.
It's so beautiful, how she cascades over each note.... each word is given so much depth and expression. The song is utterly breathtaking... and I can't seem to get tired of this song.
Maybe I'm a fool for falling for this song... but the more I listen to it the more I find it beautiful.
But in this song there appears to be no hope of having a mutual love. And I wish that hope returns for this acquaintance I know...
I Think I Cried Harder Than She Did
Okay, folks! I finally saw the movie, the one I've been waiting for, and the one the
critics have ripped to shreds! Yes, I'm talking about
Autumn In New York.I thought Winona Ryder
once again performed brilliantly, and so did
Richard Gere. Joan Chen did a great job at directing as well. And although there were the obvious problem spots
in the script itself, I was surprised at how beautiful and meaningful this movie turned out to be. For one, the line,
"There are only two endings in love stories. Boy loses girl, or girl loses boy". This made me think, and also feel a
sense of sadness in the general situation regarding all lovers, all romantics... that somewhere down the line, there
WILL be loss. And that the time to love is in the here and now. Such deeper, hidden meanings were apparent in the film,
but apparently not recognized by the critics. But then again, what do critics know about love?
Anyway, I could've gone to see
Hollow Man or
X-Men. But sometimes I just feel deliciously romantic and would like to forget about all that science fiction/fantasy stuff, and just go for that good ol' boy-meets-girl, relationship-type movie.
What can I say? I calls 'em as I sees 'em, and I like sappy, tear-filled romance movies a lot, and it's probably one of the main reasons my wife loves me... cause I dig the "chick flicks" too! And this time I think I cried harder than she did!
wednesday, august 23
