Black Coffee

Bittersweet Symphony: Peggy Lee's Black Coffee
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Lyrics

I'm feelin' mighty lonesome

I'm feeling extremely lonely.

Haven't slept a wink

I haven't slept at all.

I walk the floor and watch the door

I pace around anxiously and keep an eye on the door.

And in between I drink

During the time in between, I drink.

Black coffee

I consume black coffee.

Love's a hand-me-down brew

Love I experience feels like a secondhand, recycled feeling.

I'll never know a Sunday

I won't experience joy or relaxation (like a Sunday) in this place (weekday room).

In this weekday room

Repeated line, meaning no additional interpretation needed.


I'm talkin' to the shadows

I talk to the shadows, indicating a feeling of solitude.

One o'clock 'til four

I spend time from one in the morning till four doing this.

And Lord, how slow the moments go

Time feels excruciatingly slow during these moments.

When all I do is pour

All I do is continuously pour myself black coffee.

Black coffee

Reaffirmation of consuming black coffee due to feeling the blues.

Since the blues caught my eye

My involvement with the blues has intensified since noticing it.

I'm hangin' out on Monday

I'm spending time on a weekday, reminiscent of hanging around on a Monday.

My Sunday dreams to dry

I'm unable to fulfill the dreams and happiness usually associated with Sundays.


Now man was born to go a lovin'

Men are seen as naturally inclined towards seeking love, while women seem destined to experience sorrow and worry.

But was a woman born to weep and fret

Suggests a societal stereotype about women's roles—being more associated with emotional distress.

To stay at home and tend her oven

A woman's expected role is portrayed here—staying home, caring for the household, and being consumed by past regrets.

And down her past regrets

Emotional baggage is carried through habits like drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes.

In coffee and cigarettes

Repeated line, implying the persistence of these habits.


I'm moonin' all the mornin'

I'm feeling sad and lost throughout the morning.

Moanin' all the night

I'm mourning and expressing sorrow all night.

And in between it's nicotine

In between these emotional states, I rely on nicotine (cigarettes) for comfort.

And not much heart to fight

I lack the emotional strength to confront these feelings.

Black coffee

Consuming black coffee, feeling as low as can be.

Feelin' low as the ground

Reaffirmation of feeling emotionally down.

It's drivin' me crazy

This waiting for my lover is causing me distress and agitation.

This waitin' for my baby

I'm frustrated and anxious about the uncertainty of my lover's return.

To maybe come around

The hope for my lover's return is uncertain ("maybe come around").

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