Born to Be Blue
Embracing Life's Melancholy Hues with LaVerne Butler's 'Born to Be Blue'
Lyrics
Some folks were meant to live in clover
Some individuals are destined for a life of ease and prosperity (live in clover).
But they are such a chosen few
However, only a select few are part of that privileged group.
And clover being green
While clover is typically green and represents good fortune, the speaker has never experienced such luck.
Is something I've never seen
The speaker has not witnessed the prosperity associated with living in clover.
'Cause I was born to be blue
The speaker expresses a melancholic acceptance of their predisposition to a blue, or sad, existence.
When there's a yellow moon above me
Reference to a yellow moon above, suggesting a romantic or mystical atmosphere.
They say it's moonbeams I should view
People advise the speaker to appreciate the romantic aspects of life symbolized by moonbeams.
But moonbeams being gold
Despite the advice, the speaker cannot appreciate the supposed golden beauty of moonbeams.
Are something I can't behold
The speaker is unable to see or experience the suggested romantic or positive aspects, emphasizing their blue nature.
'Cause I was born to be blue
Reiteration of the speaker's inherent disposition towards sadness or melancholy.
When I met you
The speaker recalls a time when meeting someone brought brightness and joy.
The world was bright and sunny
Initially, the world seemed optimistic and happy.
When you left, the curtain fell
However, when the person left, the speaker experienced a metaphorical curtain falling, indicating a sudden change to a gloomier state.
I wanna laugh
The desire to laugh is present, but circumstances prevent the speaker from finding amusement.
But nothing strikes me funny
The speaker's world is now described as a painted pastel, suggesting a subdued and faded reality.
Now my world's a painted pastel, well
I guess I'm luckier than some folks
The speaker acknowledges relative fortune, having experienced the joy of love.
I've known the thrill of lovin' you
The thrill of love is considered a significant and positive aspect of the speaker's life.
And that alone is more than I was created for
Despite hardships, the experience of love alone surpasses the speaker's intended purpose or creation.
'Cause I was born to be blue
Reaffirmation that the speaker was born with a predisposition towards a blue or melancholic existence.
When I met you
Repetition of the earlier positive experience of meeting someone and the subsequent bright world.
The world was bright and sunny
Similar to the first encounter, the initial brightness is contrasted with the gloom following the person's departure.
Then you left, the curtain fell
Reiteration of the metaphorical curtain falling when the person leaves.
Oh how I'd like to laugh
The speaker expresses a desire to laugh, which is hindered by the lack of amusing circumstances.
But nothing strikes me funny
Similar to line 17, the speaker's world is described as a faded pastel, emphasizing a subdued and less vibrant reality.
Now my world's a faded pastel, well
I guess I'm luckier than some folks
-'Cause I've known the thrill of lovin' you
-And that alone is more than I was created for
-'Cause I was born to be blue
Final reaffirmation that the speaker's inherent nature is one of melancholy or sadness.
'Cause I was born to be blue
Repetition of the assertion that the speaker was born with a predisposition towards a blue existence.
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