P.S. It's Jazz

The Party’s Over

2010-04-22T14:33:00.001-07:00

While I was speaking with a friend regarding my moving to a different country, this song happened to be playing in the background. It makes me look back at my five years in a foreign country.

I wouldn’t call my life here a party, but more of an adventure. I got to explore and experience a different lifestyle; make various friends; learn the beauty and the ugly about the real world, which I didn’t get to realize with the protection of a loving family back home.

Regrets? Not at all. Not for any decision in my life, for any friendship I earned nor the ones I terminated. I’m grateful for every relationship, incident, as well as drama, that have taken place in the past five years.

But as of today, I know it’s time to call it a day; to wind up the masquerade and to take off the makeup because the party is over. It’s time to reset and get ready for maybe, just maybe, another grand ball ahead.

# # #

The Party’s Over by Carmen McRae (Doris Day in clip shared)

The party's over
It's time to call it a day
They've burst your pretty balloon
And taken the moon away
It's time to wind up the masquerade
Just make your mind up the piper must be paid

The party's over
The candles flicker and dim
You danced and dreamed through the night
It seemed to be right just being with him
Now you must wake up, all dreams must end
Take off your makeup, the party's over
It's all over, my friend

Now you must wake up, all dreams must end
Take off your makeup, the party's over
It's all over, my friend
It's all over, my friend

Secret Love

2010-04-15T15:51:00.001-07:00

If you realize there are many phases in a relationship, you must agree that the most beautiful moment is when you first start to develop a secret love for someone.

We have all experienced that “secret love” phase. It’s an early stage in an undeveloped relationship that you simply adore the other person: their eyes, their smiles, their laughter and almost everything about them. It’s a phase when a glance of him; a words with her cheers you up.

And when the day comes, you finally open the door to your hearts, cross out the secret and make it LOVE. Sharing this romantic oldie and sending the best of luck to all the ones out there with their secret love.

# # #

Secret Love by Doris Day

Once I had a secret love
that lived within the heart of me,
All too soon my secret love
became impatient to be free.

So I told a friendly star
the way that dreamers often do
Just how wonderful you are
and why I’m so in love with you.

Now I shout it from the highest hill,
even told the golden daffodils,
At last my heart’s an open door,
and my secret love’s no secrets anymore.

One for My Baby

2010-03-05T13:21:00.000-08:00

It was a Thursday morning, I tuned in to the only Jazz station in Southern California; and there was this classic by Frank Sinatra.

It was a recording at a live show back in 1968. Sinatra started off the song with his usual witty monolugue that goes, " I'm going to sing this song. It is a song about despair, struggle, torture and... alimony." You can hear the "ha-ha-ha" at the background, but he started singing the story which was nothing near funny.

A dimly-lit tavern, a heartbroken man and a bartendar. Need I say more? Read on.

# # #

One for My Baby by Frank Sinatra

It's quarter to three,
There's no one in the place cept you and me
So set em up joe
I got a little story I think you oughtta know

We're drinking my friend
To the end of a brief episode
So make it one for my baby
And one more for the road

I know the routine
Put another nickel in that there machine
I'm feeling so bad
Won't you make the music easy and sad

I could tell you a lot
But it's not in a gentleman's code
So make it one for my baby
And one more for the road

You'd never know it
But buddy I'm a kind of poet
And I've got a lot of things I wanna say
And if I'm gloomy, please listen to me
Till it's all, all talked away

Well, that's how it goes
And joe I know you're gettin anxious to close
So thanks for the cheer
I hope you didn't mind
My bending your ear

But this torch that I found
Its gotta be drowned
Or it soon might explode
So make it one for my baby
And one more for the road… alone

You Make Me Feel So Young

2010-02-14T01:30:00.001-08:00

Besides the love and passion between two lovers, laughter is one of the most precious memroies in a relationship.

When you are truly happy and enjoy the time you spend with your significant other, you create moments filled with joy and cheers. Through his or her eyes, you see the world from a different aspect, and realize there are wonders in everything around you. You feel like tots running along the meadow and you’re as carefree as a big bouncy balloon. It is an unbeatable feeling for the two to be close and warm; and to share a special friendship and chemistry that no one else seems to understand.

I’m dedicating this song to a special someone whom I shared this spectacular memory with before; and I’m wishing all of you to find someone who can make you feel so young and alive. Happy Valentine’s Day!

# # #

You Make Me Feel So Young by Frank Sinatra

You make me feel so young
You make me feel like spring has sprung
Every time I see you grin
I’m such a happy an individual

The moment that you speak
I want to run and play hide-and-seek
I want to go and bounce the moon
Just like a big toy balloon

You and I, we are just like a couple of tots
Running along the meadow
Snaching up all those forget to be nots

You make me feel so young
You make me feel there are songs to be sung
Bells to be rung and a wonderful spring to be sprung

And even when I’m old and gray
I’m gonna feel the way I do today
’Cause you make me feel so young

As Time Goes By

2010-02-12T08:39:00.001-08:00

The almighty creator must have created LOVE at the same time He created human-beings. Despite all the changes that have taken place in the long long path of human history, love, with its resolute constancy, remains the same appearance in the ever-changing world

You feel your heart beating faster when getting closer to the one you love. You find it hard to take your eyes off the smile that you long for each night and day. You want to share all you have and spend every minute with him. When you are in love, you simply feel the same way and do the same thing as the people millions of years ago who also fell in love. It makes no difference whichever century you are living in.

Love is the natural instinct, the innate ability, and the universal language that keeps the same shape as time goes by. They created romantic atmosphere for courtship as we do now. They sang love songs to express the strong emotion inside in ancient times as we do now; they gave promises and made vows to prove the consistency of a true love as we do now. Things and values might change as the world changes. However, love remains the same face. An action or a word of love is never out of date. A sentence as simple as “I love you” is good enough to express the deepest movement in heart for people in ancient times as well as at present day.

You must remember this
A kiss is still a kiss, a sigh is just a sigh
The fundamental things apply
As time goes by

And when two lovers woo
They still say, "I love you"
On that you can rely
No matter what the future brings
As time goes by

Moonlight and love songs
Never out of date
Hearts full of passion
Jealousy and hate
Woman needs man
And man must have his mate
That no one can deny

it's still the same old story
A fight for love and glory
A case of do or die
The world will always welcome lovers
As time goes by

For All We Know

2010-02-10T08:30:00.001-08:00

If you are ever forced to say goodbye to a love that is so important to you, this song is going to remind you of those bittersweet yet heartbreaking moments that you spent with each other for the one last time.

Having realized by heart that it would do you both good to part, you by an unspoken consensus agree that this would be the last time. But how could you take back the promises once made and the true heart once given to each other? The more you look into the speaking eyes, the harder you find it to make one step farther from them.

You get to accept that fact that you two could never be together in this life, despite which you could not take the love away. You know you may never meet again, but you cling on to every minute staying in his arms for one last time, and keep everything you could remember him by for the rest of your life.

******************************************

For all we know we may never meet again
Before you go make this moment sweet again
We won't say "Good night" until the last minute
I'll hold out my hand and my heart will be in it
For all we know this may only be a dream
We come and go like a ripple on a stream
So love me tonight; tomorrow was made for some
Tomorrow may never come for all we know

It’s Only A Paper Moon

2010-02-09T07:45:00.001-08:00

When was the last time you were fascinated by fairy tales? How long has it been since the last time you pray for a living-happily-every-after ending? We could hardly recall when and how we gave up the courage to dream. By call something a fantasy, we deny every possibilty for it to happen for real. “After all, it’s just a paper moon in the make-believe world.” So might we tell ourselves.

We tend to be more and more detached and lose the passion for life simply because we overlook a simple fact that it is love that makes things real. Love gives every meaning to whatever you see with your eye, whatevery you hear with your ears, and whatever you feel with your heart, even it is a make-believe world you are living in. Without truly perceiving the existence of love, the world around you is nothing but some kind of vulgar and valueless shows.

Don’t bother to search for definition of reality. You make the world real when you have faith in love.

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Say, its only a paper moon
Sailing over a cardboard sea
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me
Yes, it's only a canvas sky
Hanging over a muslin tree
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me
Without your love
It's a honky-tonk parade
Without your love
It's a melody played in a penny arcade
It's a Barnum and Bailey world
Just as phony as it can be
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me

I Didn’t Know About You

2010-01-25T00:19:00.001-08:00

I think no one would ever forget about the tremble that runs up the spine when he or she falls in love for the first time.

Before one encounters love, we run around with our own little crowds; and romance was only a thing we kid about. However, when that special someone comes into our lives, we finally realize that all our yesterdays were lonely and meaningless.

We learned so much from our first love, and our every love. And this is the day for me to give thanks to the lovers, as well as heartbreakers, who has ever been in my life: although we have parted, if I didn’t know about you, I could never know about love.

# # #

I Didn’t Know About You by Ella Fitzgerald

I ran around, with my own little crowd
The usual laughs, not often, but loud
And in the world that I knew
I didn’t know about you

Chasing after the ring, on the merry-go-round
Just taking my fun, where it could be found
And yet what else could I do
I didn’t know about you

Darling, now I know
I had the loneliest yesterday, everyday
In your arms
I know for once in my life, I’m living

Had a good time, everytime I went out
Romance was a thing, I kidded about
How could I know about love
I didn’t know about you

Darling, now I know
I had the loneliest yesterday, everyday
In your arms
I know for once in my life, I’m living

Had a good time, everytime I went out
Romance was a thing, I kidded about
How could I know about love
I didn’t know about you
I didn’t know about you

Young at Heart

2009-12-25T14:03:00.001-08:00

I have stopped setting New Year’s Resolution for about two or three years. Since it is always depressing to look back at the goals we set and to realize we have failed, I chose to add no new year’s resolution to my list of disappointments.

Yet, at the end of the year, with all the big and small events along the way, I remembered this song. I have been called a pessimist, a cynic, a cold-hearted lover; but I realize all these titles do not matter as long as I can be young at heart.

For you, and you, and all of you who have been sitting in desperation and loss. This, may well be our New Year’s Resolution.

# # #

Young at Heart by Frank Sinatra

Fairy tales can come true, it can happen to you
If youre young at heart
For its hard, you will find, to be narrow of mind
If youre young at heart

You can go to extremes with impossible schemes
You can laugh when your dreams fall apart at the seams
And life gets more exciting with each passing day
And love is either in your heart or on its way

Don’t you know that its worth every treasure on earth
To be young at heart
For as rich as you are its much better by far
To be young at heart

And if you should survive to 105
Look at all youll derive out of being alive
Then here is the best part
You have a head start
If you are among the very young at heart

Blue Moon

2009-12-22T23:45:00.001-08:00

After a long while, I’ve finally recalled that one of my earliest jazz albums was actually not of vocal jazz; it was an album by Oscar Peterson which belonged to my older sister.

And this was one of the first songs that caught my attention.

Back then, I did not understand what blue moon represents; and I certainly did not understand anything about love, desire and heartbreaks. I was trying to imagine the possible lyrics that could go with the title and the tune. Until now.

This song is the summary of every happy-ending love story; it is a song of hope. For me personally, it possesses a sentimental value for my naive past; represents a nostalgia for my ever-so-lovely relationships; and concludes as an encouragement for all optimists and pseudo-optimists in singlehood.

# # #

Blue Moon by Ella Fitzgerald

Blue Moon,
you saw me standing alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own

Blue Moon,
you knew just what I was there for
You heard me saying a prayer for
Someone I really could care for

And then there suddenly appeared before me
The only one my arms will ever hold
I heard somebody whisper, "Please adore me"
And when I looked, the moon had turned to gold

Blue Moon,
now I'm no longer alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own

Where Are You?

2009-10-13T17:42:00.001-07:00

Where are you? How many lonely nights have I stayed in my room thinking about this questioin? Yet I have never got any answer in return. Somehow I know it won't do me any good even if I have, because wherever you are or whatever you are doing, you are perfectly fine without me. It hurts me everytime when I think of this.

I gave you all my heart, my love, and my dreams, and I believe that you gave me yours too. However, in those lonely nights when I needed you and you were not by my sides, I couldn't help wondering if you really meant it to say you care for me. How I wish I could be stronger. But sometimes the sorrow is just so unbearable that it makes it hard for me to piece up the broken dreams.

There are hundreds of nights that I wished you had been here and there are hundreds of times that this simple wish turned out in vain. I think I can keep pretending all life through, but one can never change what his/her heart wants. Once in a while, in a lonely night like this, I wonder about the same question. Where are you?

Where are you

Where have you gone without me

I thought you cared about me

Where are you

Where's my heart

Where is the dream we started

I can't believe we're parted

Where are you

When we said good-bye love

What had we to gain

When I gave you my love

Was it all in vain

All life through

Must I go on pretending

Where is my happy ending

Where are you

I've Got A Crush On You

2009-10-10T00:03:00.001-07:00

After all those sad and plaintive love songs posted this month, here comes a sweet love song for today. It is all about the tender confession of love in the beginning stage of a love relation when you first find yourself getting a crush on someone.

It is always the sweetest moment to realize that you are in love with someone. There isn't necessary to be a sign. When love comes, it just comes without warning you in advance. You can't even specify the reason why you fall in love, but you just do. You can't stop your heart beating faster and faster when you see the one coming into your sight. You can't resisit the growing passion inside of you. You start dreaming for the happy-ever-after life as in the fairly tales. There's nothing much to worry about. Simply leave it till tomorrow and enjoy the sweetness at this moment!

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How glad the many millions of timothys and williams
Would be to capture me
But you had such persistence,
You wore down my resistance
I fell, and it was swell
Youre my big and brave and handsome romeo
How I won you, I shall never, never know

Its not that you're attractive
But, oh, my heart grew active
When you came into view
Ive got a crush on you, sweetie pie
All the day and night-time,
Hear me sigh
I never had the least notion
That I could fall with so much emotion

Could you coo?
Could you care
For a cunning cottage we could share?
The world will pardon my mush
cause Ive got a crush, my baby, on you
(instrumental break)

Could you coo?
Could you care
For a cunning cottage we could share?
The world will pardon my mush
cause Ive got a crush, my baby, on you
Yes, Ive got a crush, my baby, on you

Reaching For The Moon

2009-10-09T12:41:00.001-07:00

"What is moon love?" "It's a love that you can see it everyday but can never get close to it."

Everytime I listened to this sadly beautiful song, I thought of the Q&A that took place a long time ago. There is this kind of love so much resembling the moon that hangs high above in the sky. It's always right there when you look up to it , like a guardian angel. You feel as if it's all yours and it's just beside you. However, when you want to touch it and hold it into your arms, you suddenly realize you can make no further step to get close to it.

The moon looks so near but actually it's so far, so far that you can only dream for it. Like being bewitched by the moonlight, you think you are an incomplete piece without the love, and you find yourself like a fool attempting to reach for the moon, in search for an impossible dream that will never come true.

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The moon and you appear to be
So near and yet so far from me
And here am I on a night in june
Reaching for the moon and you,

I wonder if well ever meet
My song of love is incomplete
Im just the words, looking for the tune
Reaching for the moon and you.

All The Things You Are

2009-10-08T22:59:00.001-07:00

Have you ever found a love so perfect you think it makes the whole world? Have you ever found it and lost it?

The first time I’ve ever heard of this song was from the movie Mrs. Henderson Presents. I don’t quite remember how I found this movie, but it later became one of my all-time favorite. The story was set during World War II, while most lovers were forced to part because of the war. This song plays a small role in this movie, but it carries the story of the love between a showgirl and a soldier, a somehow romantic but tragic relationship.

I’ve been yearning for an adventure; yearning for someone who can once make my heart beat faster and something so grand that it would never end. Blessed as I was, I had it all. My happy arms once wrapped around him, and all the things he was were mine.

Yet, I lost him.

It was not because of war, but we were forced to part. I numbed myself with wine and cigars, hoping that all the things he was would fade away from my memory. Yet, I couldn’t help but shed some tears tonight, because I know the promised kiss of springtime will never come again.

# # #

All The Things You Are
by Ella Fitzgerald/ Will Young from Mrs. Henderson Presents

Time and again I’ve longed for adventure,
Something to make my heart beat the faster.
What did I long for? I never really knew.
Finding your love I’ve found my adventure,
Touching your hand, my heart beats the faster,
All that I want in all of this world is you.

(chorus)
You are the promised kiss of springtime
That makes the lonely winter seem long.
You are the breathless hush of evening
That trembles on the brink of a lovely song.
You are the angel glow that lights a star,
The dearest things I know are what you are.
Some day my happy arms will hold you,
And some day I’ll know that moment divine,
When all the things you are, are mine!

Angel Eyes

2009-10-05T03:52:00.001-07:00

This is one of the most lonely jazz songs I have ever heard. The melody, along with the lyrics, brings me the sorrowful feelings everytime I listen to it. It's also the theme song in the movie "Leaving Las Vegas," in which Nicholas Cage plays a desperate alcholic who gives up everything and comes to Vegas in order to die there. It's a lonely movie, and Sting's interpretation of this theme song makes the story even sadder.

When a love is lost, you find yourself abandoned in the darkest corner of the world. You feel lonely and you lost everything, among which, you lost yourself. You search for everywhere just to find that pair of angel eyes that give you comfort and make you complete. When the hope turns out in vain, you realized that the whole wide world is meaningless without someone you love to grant it meanings. Living in the crowded city, you find yourself especially lonely in crowds. People come and go passing you by, but you are an absurd existance belonging to nowhere. You look for the angel eyes to bring you home.

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Have you ever had the feeling
That the world's gone and left you behind
Have you ever had the feeling
That you're that close to losing your mind
You look around each corner
Hoping that she's there
You try to play it cool perhaps
Pretend that you don't care
But it doesn't do a bit of good
You got to seek till you find
Are you never unwind

Try to think that love is not around
Still it's uncomfortably near
My old heart ain't gaining no ground
Because my angel eyes ain't here
Angel eyes that old devil sent
They glow unbearably bright
Need I say that my love's misspent
Misspent with angel eyes tonight

So drink up all you people
Order anything you see
Have fun you happy people
The drink and the laugh's on me
Pardon me but I gotta run
The fact's uncomfortably clear
Gotta find who's now number one
And why my angel eyes ain't here
Tell me why my angel eyes ain't here
Excusez moi my angel eyes ain't here
Excuse me while I disappear

Lover Man

2009-10-04T23:35:00.001-07:00

Isn’t this what every woman is longing for?

Before my first encounter with this song, I’ve read somewhere that this is Lady Day’s most applauded jazz standard. I was saddened and moved by the song after reading the lyrics on a quiet and chilly Sunday night.

Whether we have never been in love or already had dozens of rendezvous, we are always looking for the lover man: one who is truly special; one who can bring us the thrill of romance like a heavenly dream. However, after every encounter, every love-and-hate and every heartache, we come to realize that under the bright full moon, there is still no one to love me.

Behind all the right and wrong faces, great and lousy kisses, we still wonder: where can you be, Lover Man?

# # #

Lover Man by Billie Holiday

I don't know why but I'm feeling so sad
I long to try something I never had
Never had no kissin'
Oh, what I've been missin'
Lover man, oh, where can you be?

The night is cold and I'm so alone
I'd give my soul just to call you my own
Got a moon above me
But no one to love me
Lover man, oh, where can you be?

I've heard it said
That the thrill of romance
Can be like a heavenly dream

I go to bed with a prayer
That you'll make love to me
Strange as it seems

Someday we'll meet
And you'll dry all my tears
Then whisper sweet
Little things in my ear
Hugging and a-kissing
Oh, what I've been missing
Lover man, oh, where can you be?

I'll Close My Eyes

2009-10-04T23:24:00.001-07:00

This is the theme song from the movie "The Bridge of Madison County," a story about a mid-age love affair that happened in one summer and lasted for a lifetime. Dinah Washington's voice has the power that penetrates deep inside the hearts of lonely souls.

"In a universe of ambiguity, this kind of certainty comes only once and never again, no matter how many lifetimes you live." It says so in the movie. If you have ever experienced this kind of certainty, then you will know why one would rather close eyes to other people and other caress but wait wholeheartedly for a dream of love that is lest likely to come true. To cling to the gilmmer of hope, you would rather neglect any possibility of happeniess passing by. You politely decline every other love invitations. You lock your heart to any other tenderness. Despite the fact that the one in your heart is so far away from you and is not likely to be around, you are just too stubborn to let go of any hope. You feel lonely sometimes but you decide to take it on your own. All you can do is close your eyes, and then you see him with your heart. He lives forever in your memory.

Failing to find Dinah Washingtonn's version, I put this clip instead. Hope to get you some feelings.

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Heaven sends a song through its doors
Just as if it seems to know
I'm exclusively yours
Knowing this
I feel but one way
You will understand too
In these words that I say

I'll close my eyes
To everyone but you
And when I do
I'll see you standing there
I'll lock my heart
To any other caress
I'll never say yes
To a new love affair
Then I'll close my eyes
To everything that's gay
If you are not there
Oh, to share each lovely day
And through the years
In those moments
When we're far apart
Don't you know I'll close my eyes
And I'll see you with my heart

These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You)

2009-10-04T22:03:00.001-07:00

When you are forced to part from your beloved one, even the slightest thing is likely to trigger the memory and the surge of sentiment. If you have ever been in love, then you will definitely understand what I'm saying.

You'll find yourself wake up in the morning thinking firstly of him, and close your eyes in the end of the day with his image occupying your mind. Whatever you see and hear, you find nothing but his face and his sweetness. All the ordinary things that repeat times and times again in daily life are given new meanings because of him for they reminds you of the good time you two spent with each other.

You might think it's foolish. Yes, it is. Only fools rush in love, but fools in love simply can't help but fall deeper...

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Oh will you never let me be?
Oh will you never set me free?
The ties that bound us are still around us
There´s no escape that I can see
And still those little things remain
That bring me happiness or pain

A cigarette that bares a lipstick's traces
An airline ticket to romantic places
And still my heart has wings
These foolish things remind me of you.

A tinkling piano in the next apartment
Those stumblin'words that told you what my heart meant
A fairground's painted swings
These foolish things remind me of you.

You came, You saw, You conquered me
When you did that to me
I knew somehow this had to be
The winds of March that made my heart a dancer
A telephone that rings but who's to answer
Oh, how the ghost of you clings
These foolish things remind me of you

First daffodils and long excited cables
And candle lights on little corner tables
And still my heart has wings
These foolish things remind me of you

The park at evening when the bell has sounded
The Isle de France with all the gulls around it
The beauty that is spring
These foolish things remind me of you

How strange, How sweet, To find you still,
These things are dear to me
They seem to bring you near to me

The sigh of midnight trains at empty stations
Silk stockings thrown aside dance invitations
Oh how the ghost of you clings
These foolish things remind me of you
Gardenia perfume lingering on a pillow
Wild strawberries only seven francs a kilo
And still my heart has wings,
These foolish things remind me of you

The smile of Garbo and the scent of roses
The waiters whistling as the last bar closes
The song that Crosby sings
These foolish things remind me of you
How strange How sweet To find you still
These things are dear to me
They seem to bring you near to me
The scent of smoldering leaves
The wail of steamers
Two lovers on the street who walk like dreamers
Oh how the ghost of you clings
These foolish things remind me of you.

I Wanna Be Around

2009-10-03T00:48:00.001-07:00

Under the sweetest sugar coat of love, there is an intense possession that one hopes will never be discovered; but under the most mellow and romantic tune comes the song that preaches the sweetest revenge of all.

Somehow one could never understand how love turns into hatred after two lovers part; but inevitably, it happens in many cases. When you realize the love you shared once has become history, you can’t help but secretly hope that one day, just maybe one day, someone will break his heart like he broke yours.

Some say all is fair in love and war; however, many still believe that revenge is sweet. Would you wanna be around to applaud the act and pick up the broken pieces? I have no answer for you. But until the day you are sitting at the front-row seat, we will wait and see.

# # #

I Wanna Be Around by Tony Bennett

I wanna be around to pick up the pieces
When somebody breaks your heart
Some somebody twice as smart as I

A somebody who will swear to be true
As you used to do with me
Who'll leave you to learn
That mis'ry loves company, wait and see

I mean, I wanna be around to see how he does it
When he breaks your heart to bits
Let's see if the puzzle fits so fine

And that's when I'll discover that revenge is sweet
As I sit there applaudin' from a front-row seat
When somebody breaks your heart
Like you, like you broke mine

It’s All Right with Me

2009-10-01T00:14:00.001-07:00

For the newly singles,

How do you describe the wrong love that feels so right at the moment? Sadly but true, rebound lovers are not even modern commodities. This 1953 popular jazz song has said it all.

Some people choose to cry their hearts out and indulge themselves in their old and new heartaches; some choose to smoke, drink and dance their lonely nights away. In recovery, two lonesome souls see the charming but wrong faces, the lovely but wrong smiles, the tempting but wrong lips; and somehow, everything seems all right.

If you’re free some nights, then yes, it’s all right with me.

# # #

It’s All Right with Me by Ella Fitzgerald

Its the wrong time, and the wrong place
Though your face is charming, its the wrong face
Its not his face, but such a charming face
That its all right with me

Its the wrong song, in the wrong style
Though your smile is lovely, its the wrong smile
Its not his smile, but such a lovely smile
That its all right with me

You cant know how happy I am that we met
Im strangely attracted to you
Theres someone Im trying so hard to forget
Dont you want to forget someone, too?

Its the wrong game, with the wrong chips
Though your lips are tempting, theyre the wrong lips
They’re not his lips, but they’re such tempting lips
That, if some night, you are free
Then its all right, yes, its all right with me

I’ve Got a New Heartache

2009-09-28T22:11:00.001-07:00

Don’t you find it hard to leave an old sweetheart? There isn’t necessarily always something nice about the old lovers, but it’s the familiarity about them which keeps holding us back like gravity. It’s the comfort that we don’t have to start an awkward hi-my-name-is conversation with a new friend; the feeling that you know he gets what you want to say…

Old sweethearts exist in our life in different forms: they might be a friend; a good friend; an almost lover; a sometimes lover or even a friend with benefits. There’s never a good time to say adieu to an old sweetheart; but all in all, at the end of the day, we get nothing but a new heartache for an old sweetheart.

# # #

I’ve Got a New Heartache by Sarah Vaughan

You're back in town again spreadin' talk around
That I'm still in love with you though you let me down
I hate to admit it but I guess the talk is true
Or else you couldn't make my heart ache the way you do.

I've got a new heartache about an old sweetheart
That left me for somebody new
I've got a new heartache about an old sweetheart
And that's why I'm feeling so blue.

Why did you turn up again? I was doing fine.
I'd found another sweetheart to drive you from my mind
I thought that I'd forgotten you but I know that it's not true
Or else you couldn't make my heart ache the way you do.

I've got a new heartache about an old sweetheart
That left me for somebody new
I've got a new heartache about an old sweetheart
And that's why I'm feeling so blue...

What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?

2009-09-24T11:25:00.001-07:00

We have long been taught that love should be selfless. To love something or something does not necessarily means that we should possess and fully control them. Sometimes we have to learn to let go when things just don't work out. This is an ideal of the love theory. However, in reality, most of the time, when we fall in love with somebody, we just can't help but yearn for complete possession. We want to spend every single moment with our beloved ones. We want to see their faces in daylight as well as in twilight. We want to hold their hands to go through the ups and downs in life. We don't want to miss anything. Love is somewhat monopolistic. It is so hard not to become greedy when it comes to love. We always want more.

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What are you doing the rest of your life?
North and south and east and west of your life?
I have only one request of your life
That you spend it all with me.
All the seasons and the times of your days.
All the nickels and the dimes of your days.
Let the reasons and the rhymes of your days.
All begin and end with me.
I want to see your face,
In every kind of light,
In fields of gold and
Forests of the night;
And when you stand before
The candles on a cake.
Oh let me be the one to hear
The silent wish you make.
Those tomorrows waiting deep in your eyes
In the world of love you keep in your eyes,
Ill awaken whats asleep in your eyes,
It may take a kiss or two..
Through all of my life..
Summer, winter, spring and fall of my life,
All I ever will recall of my life
Is all of my life with you.

I Left My Heart in San Francisco

2009-09-16T20:56:00.001-07:00

I have already moved to Los Angeles for four years, and people start to ask me questions like if I would consider living here for good; or if I consider LA as my second home. I often think about this, but I have no answer to the questions. I am at the point where I have family and friends in both cities, and I can’t just choose one and say adieu to the other. At the same time, I’m still open up to moving to a new city to see if I like it. Maybe it’s not time to settle down yet.

The whole “picking sides” reminds me of this song because I slightly envy a person who can have such strong feelings attached to a city. No matter which city it is, no matter how long you have stayed there, it is always nice to feel that you belong.

# # #

I Left My Heart in San Francisco by Tony Bennett

The loveliness of Paris
Seems somehow sadly gay
The glory that was Rome
Is of another day
I've been terribly alone
And forgotten in Manhattan
I'm going home to my city by the bay.

I left my heart in San Francisco
High on a hill, it calls to me.
To be where little cable cars
Climb halfway to the stars!
The morning fog may chill the air
I don't care!
My love waits there in San Francisco
Above the blue and windy sea
When I come home to you, San Francisco,
Your golden sun will shine for me!

Cheek To Cheek

2009-09-12T23:43:00.001-07:00

Having been in good mood recently, I would also like to write about songs that cheer people up. This is a happy song about two lovers being together making the joyful world like heaven.

I first heard this song in the BGM of the movie "The English Patient" when I was in junior high school. This should be literally the first jazz song I heard in my life. Although I knew nothing about jazz at that time, the brisk rhythm and exotic atmosphere of this song left a strong impression on me.

When two are in love, they make the whole world spin around centering on each other. Love takes them to the imaginary world of wonders, to everywhere they want to go. Heaven is where the two are together holding hands.

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Heaven, Im in heaven
And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak
And I seem to find the happiness I seek
When were out together dancing cheek to cheek

Heaven, Im in heaven
And the cares that hung around me through the week
Seem to vanish like a gamblers lucky streak
When were out together dancing (swinging) cheek to cheek

Oh I love to climb a mountain
And reach the highest peak
But it doesnt thrill (boot) me half as much
As dancing cheek to cheek
Oh I love to go out fishing
In a river or a creek
But I dont enjoy it half as much
As dancing cheek to cheek

(come on and) dance with me
I want my arm(s) about you
That (those) charm(s) about you
Will carry me through...

(right up) to heaven, Im in heaven
And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak
And I seem to find the happiness I seek
When were out together dancing, out together dancing (swinging)
Out together dancing cheek to cheek

Fly Me To the Moon

2009-09-12T21:50:00.001-07:00

I fell in love with this song when I heard Lisa Ono sing it in the concert held in Hong Kong in April. Unlike other songs she sang with the whole band, she sang it with only her own guiter as accompaniment. I have got several versions of this same song by different musicians with different ways of interpretation. Among them I especially love the ones with only vocal and simple accompaniments, in which it sounds like a monologue of love.

The lyrics is poetic and romantic. Sometimes we say "I love you" in a direct and passionately manner; sometimes we don't do it that way. We create the atmosphere and the quality time for the two. We talk about everything but love. We use metaphors and obscure expressions to convey the message without saying it aloud. When two hearts finds home in each other, we need no more direct languages to strengthen the belief. We feel love in everything.

Language, as the major means of human communication, is used to help people express themselves in the lest circuitous way . However, for people in love, it can be the joyful play of words. We enjoy the process of brainstorming to solve the riddles. We are willing to spend night and day to find out the real meanings of the puns. We try our best to fathom the implied meaning that hides in a simple sentence said by our lovers. We make no complaints about these mental works because somehow we know love is every answer to the puzzles that are given.

In the mondernized society in 21th century, people ask for efficiency in everything including love. Fast-food (or junk food?) love relations are everywhere. People want everything to be direct and immediate. Whatever is available, we order it to go. But love is no drive-through restaurant. It takes time and patience to enjoy the sweet fruit. Listen to this song and try to imagine and have a taste of a love with a tardy pace but lasting charm.

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Poets often use many words to say a simple thing
It takes thought and time and rhyme
To make a poem sing
With music and words I've been playing
For you I have written this song
To be sure you known what I'm saying
I'll translate as I go along

Fly me to the moon,
And let me play among the stars.
Let me see what spring is like,
On jupiter and mars.
In other words, hold my hand,
In other words, darling kiss me.
Fill my heart with song,
And let me sing forever more,
You are all I long for,
All I worship and adore,
In other words, please be true,
In other words, I love you.

Fill my heart with song,
And let me sing forever more,
You are all I long for,
All I worship and adore,
In other words, please be true,
In other words, I love you

A “Different” Man I Love

2009-09-12T02:06:00.001-07:00

I, as the No. 1 reader and the co-author of this forum, was the one who requested Ms. P to write about the previous entry “The Man I Love.” At the beginning, I felt bad to ask her to write about the song because I thought it would speak to her the same way it speaks to me; I know if it did bring her the same emotions, it probably wouldn’t be anything near pleasant.

Yet no word could describe my surprise when I read her entry, which somehow states a form of encouragement and hope that I’ve never thought of receiving from this song. It suddenly hit me how differently we understand and experience the same song. Later on, I realize that is probably the reason why so many people are enchanted and lured by the beauty of jazz standards.

It all comes back to the essence we discussed before: the emotions flowing from the vocalists rely heavily on their understandings of life and their interpretation.

The version I listen to the most is by Dinah Washington; and “endless waiting” was the only message I got from the song. In a relationship or not, we are always waiting for the men we love. It’s that man I love who cannot make it to my side tonight; the man I love whom I’ll have to do my best to make him stay. I will see him Monday, or Tuesday, or maybe not; I’m just living for the man I love.

** After a careful review, I found out there are some slight changes in Dinah’s lyrics. I figured her penetrating voice continues to slit open my heart as I listen to this song over and over again.

# # #

The Man I Love by Dinah Washington

Someday he'll come along, The man I love
And he'll be big and strong, The man I love
And when he comes my way
I'll do my best to make him stay

He'll look at me and smile, I'll understand
Then in a little while, He'll hold my hands
I know it seems absurd
but we both won't say one word

Maybe I will meet him Sunday,
Maybe Monday, then maybe not
But I'm sure to meet him one day
Maybe Tuesday will be my good news day

We'll build a little home, just meant for two
From which I'll never roam, Who would, would you
All other things aside
I'm waiting for the man I love

Maybe he’ll come Sunday,
Maybe Monday, then maybe not
But I'm sure to meet him one day
Maybe Tuesday will be my good news day

We'll build a little home, just meant for two
From which I'll never roam, Who would, would you
I thank God above
I’m just living for the man I love

The Man I Love

2009-09-11T08:24:00.001-07:00

Upon the cordial request from my No. 1 reader, today I'm writing about this song "The Man I Love." I'm trying not to continue the plaintiveness of a single, lonely woman as in the previous post. In this song we are adopting a more positive manner instead. That is, to believe the existence of the Mr. Right and to look forward to his coming.

There's a princess living in every girl's soul. Rather than the magnificent castle, imperial crown or other substantial things a princess can possesses, what she wants most is her Prince Charming with whom she is going to lead a happy life ever after. As kids, we were all fascinated with the happy ending of a princess, and we started to picture what our own Prince Charming is going to be like. We think he will be handsome and tall. He will have a pair of captivating eyes. He will be a good singer for ballads and he says sweet words to me every day. We used to make silly wishes like these. However, as we grow old, we get to face the reality. That doesn't mean that we give up our hope. Instead, we adjust and make some "slight" revision to our ideal of Princess Charming. We try to justify ourselves by saying things like "it's okay if he's not tall enough as long as he keeps good figure" or "he never says sweet talk but he puts it into real practice." However, no matter how many condtions are adjusted, there's one and only thing remaining constant -- we hope the Prince Charming loves us as much as we love him.

It's only a little wish, but it's so important to us. We just need the ONE and the ONLY

Prince Charming to come along and save us. We long for the man we love and we hope he can love us back. We don't need complicated love relations. Once we find the man we love, we want it to be as simple as it can be. That's the song all about. The use of words are simple but touching, because it expresses the innermost desire of every princess

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Someday he'll come along, The man I love
And he'll be big and strong, The man I love
And when he comes my way
I'll do my best to make him stay

He'll look at me and smile, I'll understand
Then in a little while, He'll take my hand
And though it seems absurd
I know we both won't say a word

Maybe I shall meet him Sunday,
Maybe Monday, maybe not
Still I'm sure to meet him one day
Maybe Tuesday will be my good news day

He'll build a little home, That's meant for two
From which I'll never roam, Who would, would you
And so all else above
I'm dreaming of the man I love

Misty

2009-09-11T01:45:00.001-07:00

Have you ever laid beside someone you love and shed a tear in the middle of the night? As melodramatic as it may sound, it happens to many of us.

We fall in love with the wrong men at the wrong time; yet we hold onto the last strand so tight until we end up dragged into a shattered dream. That one last look was enough to trigger the tears that melt our hearts.

There were countless times how I wish I could walk away from a man without getting misty; but the hands I once held, the lips I once sealed with mine would not let go. In the middle of the night, the tears rolling down my cheeks were not of sadness, but of a sense of hopeless lost. I’m misty, cuz I’m too much in love.

# # #

Misty by Sarah Vaughan

Look at me, I'm as helpless as a kitten up a tree,
And I feel like I'm clinging to a cloud, I can't understand,
I get misty, just holding your hand.
Walk my way, and a thousand violins begin to play,
Or it might be the sound of your hello, that music I hear,
I get misty, the moment you're near.
You can say that you're leading me on,
But it's just what I want you to do,
Don't you notice how hopelessly I'm lost,
That's why I'm following you.
On my own, I would wander through this wonderland alone,
Never knowing my right foot from my left, my hat from my glove,
I'm too misty, and too much in love.
I'm too misty, and too much in love.

All of Me

2009-09-10T16:24:00.001-07:00

“Unlucky in Love” seems to be a common trait among women who appreciate female jazz vocalists like Lady Day. I can’t help but wonder if “unlucky in love” is what it takes to fully interpret these songs, and to truly appreciate the stories behind them.

Billie Holiday, aka Lady Day, had never been “properly” coached in her singing career. According to a booklet published by New York Jazz Museum in 1970, it says;

“Her voice lacked range and was somewhat thin, plus years of abuse eventually altered the texture of her voice and gave it a prepossessing fragility. Nonetheless, the emotion with which she imbued each song remained not only intact but also profound.”

Somewhat inevitably, Lady Day was unlucky in love like some of us; thus the powerful emotions she carried while interpreting songs such as “Lover Man” and “All of Me.” Her interpretation of these songs shows a fragility of a strong woman who is hoping for love; a desire to be held in the arms of a loving man; and a sadness which tells us love doesn’t come easy.

“All of Me” is one of my favorite songs to listen to when I am heartbroken. When my heart is gone, the rest really doesn’t make sense, does it?

# # #

All Of Me by Billie Holiday
All of me Why not take all of me Can’t you see I’m no good without you Take my lips I want to loose them Take my arms I’ll never use them Your goodbye Left me with eyes that cry How can I go on dear without you You took the part That once was my heart So why not take all of me	All of me Why not take all of me Can’t you see I’m no good without you Take my lips I want to loose them Take my arms I’ll never use them Your goodbye Left me with eyes that cry How can I go on dear without you You took the best So why not take the rest Baby, take all of me

But Not For Me

2009-09-09T19:27:00.001-07:00

Here comes a sad and plaintive song for today! Please be metally prepared that you are going to hear the murmuring from a 27-year-old yet single woman complaining about the discontentment of love life. :P

Whenever I see couple walking side by side holding hands, I can't help wondering HOW they found each other and HOW they can be sure that he/she is the one for them?? We usually say that love is simple, and it's just a primitive impulse and innate ablility born with all human beings. We need not learn how to love. When that "someone" shows up, you will have the instinct to sense that. However, love can also be complicated. Love is not just about your feelings toward somebody, but it has to interwork with too many things in reality such as the mode of living, the educational background, family, culture differences, social status...etc. There are so many things we have to put into concerns before we can really say out aloud the combination of the four simple characters- L,O,V,E.

Love is by no means just a pure emotion when it comes to reality. (Okay, it can remain pure as long as you can be contented to live in dreams or fantasy forever.) It's easy to fall in love with somebody, but it's not always easy to work out each love relation and it's so hard to know who is the one for you as a lifetime mate. I remember chatting with my galfriends about having got lots of wedding invitiations recently. (Yes!! We really hate to admit that we are reaching this stage of life in which you are going to get countless red bombs.) Being happy for our friends is one thing (which we truly do,) but feeling sad for ourselves is another. While sending the couples our best wishes, we keep wondering where our happiness will be?

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BUT NOT FOR ME

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 grey
than any Russain play could guarantee.
I was a fool to fall and get that way;
Heigh-ho! Alas! And also, lack-a-day!
Although I can't dismiss the mem'ry of his kiss,
I guess he's not for me.

He's 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 ev'ry happy plot ends with the marriage knot,
and there's no knot for me.

Pretend

2009-09-09T18:10:00.001-07:00

Actually it wasn't the first song that came to my mind but I feel it would be better to post a song with positive power in the beginning of our forum.

Oftentimes we feel blue, and what do you do when you are blue? Maybe you could try to find the answer in this song. I'm the kind of person that tends to hide and depress emotions (especially the negative ones) instead of letting them out. When I feel sad, I would rather be alone and wait till the bad moods are gone. I close my eyes, with the hope that there will be a new day when I open them again.

Although most of the times we need to work hard and strive for our own happeniness and success, but there are times we just can't do anything about it. It's not like you would get what you want as long as you work hard enough. This is life. Sometimes we need to rely on good luck, or destiny. So, when you can do nothing to cheer yourself up from sorrows, then just pretend. Pretend you are happy when you are not, and maybe you'll find your own happiness in that imaginary world, and refill the strength you need to flight for the reality again.

I love Nat King Coe's version the best of all. Cole's thick, soft, and velvet-like voice has the magic power to soothe your tension and anxiety and heal the wounds inside. This is a song for you whenever you feel life is not that perfect. Hope we all find back the passion for life.

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Pretend you're happy when you're blue
It isn't very hard to do
And you'll find happiness without an end
Whenever you pretend

Remember anyone can dream
And nothing's bad as it may seem
The little things you haven't got
Could be a lot if you pretend

You'll find a love you can share
One you can call all your own
Just close your eyes, she'll be there
You'll never be alone

And if you sing this melody
You'll be pretending just like me
The world is mine, it can be yours, my friend
So why don't you pretend?

And if you sing this melody
You'll be pretending just like me
The world is mine, it can be yours, my friend
So why don't you pretend?

Too Close for Comfort

2009-09-09T01:47:00.001-07:00

I first came across this song three weeks ago; and it totally caught my attention and brought a smile to my face. This is one of those jazz songs which portrays the playful and mischievous love of fun in the 40s. I would say this is the life lesson for the girls who enjoy the game of flirting!! Listen and Learn, players!

# # #

Too Close for Comfort by Ella Fitzgerald

Be wise, be smart, behave, my heart
Dont upset your cart when he’s so close
Be soft, be sweet, but be discreet
Dont go off your feet, he’s so close for comfort
Too close, too close for comfort, please, not again
Too close, too close to know just when to say when

Be firm, be fair, be sure, beware
On your guard, take care, while theres such temptation
One thing leads to another
Too late to run for cover
He’s much too close for comfort now

Too close, too close for comfort, please, not again
Too close, too close to know just when to say when

Be firm and be fair, be sure, beware
On your guard, take care, while theres such temptation
One thing leads to another
Too late to run for cover
He’s much too close for comfort now
Too close, much too close
He’s much too close for comfort now

How Jazz Got Me, and I Got Jazz

2009-09-09T01:26:00.001-07:00

I cannot recall the first time I listened to vocal jazz and fell in love with it. I only remembered the joyful melody of the band; and the carefree “My Kind of Town” has lingered in my head ever since.

That is the jazz we’re talking about.

Not Michael Buble nor Nora Jones; not the instrumentals like saxaphone nor piano solos. We’re talking about the swing, the big band, the jazz and blues. We are talking about the 50+ year-old classics: Sinatra, Cole, Fitzgerald and the likes.

As I grow older and have been a jazz listener for more than a decade, I can finally say that I have experienced enough in life to gradually understand the emotions behind the notes and the lyrics. And no one can deny that emotions is the core of vocal jazz.

Ms. P and I have lots of differences, but we’re on the same page when it comes to jazz. Hopefully through this forum, we will bring you some thoughts and enjoyments in jazz!

Ms. S

Grand Opening!!

2009-09-09T01:02:00.001-07:00

More than five years after our Exchange Diary Vol. I~III, Sherry and I decided to organize a Jazz Forum to introduce those Jazz songs we love and to share our ideas and feelings about the music as well as the lyrics. This great idea came up earlier this morning while we were having our routine crazy talks. Yesterday Sherry posted a note on Facebook saying how she learns new things of life from those Jazz standards songs, which I can't agree with more. I myself have always enjoyed listening to jazz and I, too, have learnt a lot about life and love. I love listening to Jazz when I'm sad, happy, lonely, or upset. It allows me to let off all the motions and just wander in the beautiful world of melody.

Actually I have tried to share some of my feelings toward jazz songs by posting notes on my msn space or other blogs, in a random manner, and I did get good feedback once in a while. However, it just doesn't seem very well-orgranzied, and most of the times I'm just too lazy to update very often. I really hope my best partner and coauthor, my best friend and my muse, Sherry, will help urge and encourage me to keep on writing and I will surely do the same to her.

Dear R, you wanna join? You know it's always better if we three are together as in the con call yesterday. :P