But Not for Me
Love's Bittersweet Dance: Decoding 'But Not for Me' by Joey DeFrancesco
Lyrics
Old man sunshine listen you
Addressing or referring to an optimistic figure, "Old man sunshine," possibly sarcastically.
Never tell me dreams come true
Expressing skepticism about the realization of dreams.
Just try it and I'll start a riot
Threatening to cause trouble or chaos if dreams are pursued.
Beatrice Fairfax don't you dare
Warning Beatrice Fairfax not to claim someone will care for the speaker.
Ever tell me he will care
Rejecting the idea that someone will genuinely care for the speaker.
I'm certain it's the final curtain
Expressing certainty that a relationship has reached its end ("final curtain").
I never want to hear from any cheerful Pollyannas
Rejecting positive and optimistic people ("cheerful Pollyannas").
Who tell you fate supplies a mate
Dismissing the notion that fate provides a suitable partner.
It's all bananas
Describing the idea of fate supplying a mate as absurd or nonsensical ("It's all bananas").
They're writing songs of love but not for me
Contrasting the romantic experience described in popular love songs with the speaker's own reality.
A lucky star's above but not for me
Acknowledging the absence of luck or positive fate in the speaker's love life.
With love to lead the way I've found more clouds of gray
Not finding the conventional path of love helpful, encountering difficulties ("clouds of gray").
Than any Russian play could guarantee
Comparing the challenges faced in love to the complexities in a Russian play.
I was a fool to fall and get that way
Admitting a mistake in falling in love ("I was a fool to fall").
Hi-ho, alas, and also lack-a-day
Expressing regret or disappointment ("Hi-ho, alas, and also lack-a-day").
Although I can't dismiss the memory of his kiss
Despite acknowledging the memory of a kiss, unable to dismiss the pain associated with it.
I guess he's not for me
Concluding that the person the speaker fell for is not meant for them.
I was a fool to fall and get that way
Repeating the realization of being a fool for falling in love.
Hi-ho, alas, and also lack-a-day
Reiterating a sense of regret or disappointment.
Although I can't dismiss the memory of his kiss
Despite the lingering memory of a kiss, unable to overcome the challenges in the relationship.
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