Gershwin, black and white dramas and The memory of his kiss

Not for me.

Old man sunshine, listen you
Never tell me dreams come true
Just try it, and I'll start a riot

Beatrice Fairfax don't you dare
Ever tell me he will care
I'm certain, it's the final curtain

I never want to hear from any cheerful Pollyannas
Who tells you fate supplies a mate
It's all bananas

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 skies of gray
Than any Russian play - could guarantee

I was a fool to fall - and get that way
Hi ho alas and also lackaday
Although I can't dismiss
The memory of his kiss
I guess he's not for me

Although I can't dismiss
The memory of his kiss
I guess he's not for me

George and Ira Gershwin

I know that for some this may seem like a sentimental ballad that no one really cares about anymore. I am at this moment listing to Judy Garland singing this particular song. It brings on a melancholy that I cannot explain. I have always loved vocalist. I have always bathed in the mellowness of arrangements and recordings of the past.

Yes, I listen to popular music too. I like Soulja Boy and yes I can do the dance. Still the ardor of a well orchestrated ballad leaves me speechless (something that happens rarely). As a child I would watch musicals and old black and white dramas of love and loss. Lets face it Camille had the best case of tuberculoses than anyone. It is amazing that just before you die you can look magnificent and have some dandy hold you in his arms and profess true and undying love. I can’t even have a cold without looking like “Damn It, I’ll Bite You”. I will admit it has skewed my ideals of romance, love and sex…. Hmmmm Boots…

Okay George wrote wonderful music. Almost impossible phrasing... Bouncing in the break of your voice… Drench with intensity and longing... BUT Ira would add lyrics to break your heart.

With love to lead the way
I've found more clouds of grey
than any Russain play could guarantee.

All too clever, more clouds of gray then any Russain play… If you listen to it the lyrics they add to the longing of this song. Longing is something that is not prevalent in today’s ballad. Some of you may remember longing. Then again you may not. I think that it is something of a bygone age. For those of you who are not aware of this particular emotion I would highly recommend it.

Nnot familiar with the Russians plays? Russinas are not a happy group of happy play writers.

A few basics about the Russian plays.

No one is well adjusted
Someone is in love with someone they should not be
Someone has some disease that causes untold suffering
Poverty always lots of poverty
A family on the verge of collapse and loosing family standing

If you feel the need for a real downer try Chekhov. Must be the weather in Russia but they do have plenty of vodka. No one is ever happy. Even the symphonies are dark. The ballets are not any better. Maybe Zoloft in the water supply would help?

Judy sang this song in one of the “Mickey and Judy Movies”. She is a western girl in love with city boy Mickey and not able to get the time of day from him. I know that there are women reading this who have been there, done that and have several t-shirts. After running out of the dance (Hollywood you got to love it) she stops and begins to cry. Her eyes are not red. No dripping nose. Just clear eyes, stunning skin, sparkling eyes, perfect hair, superior lighting and a great song. Damn, if only real life was like that.

I guess the melancholy comes from the lack of reality of this standard. We as humans are very receptive to images placed before us. It is not any different then any other time in our history (Romans and Gladiators, Commedia dell'arte, Shakespeare, melodrama…). This song and period offer the idealized look of relationships, beauty and love. None of it was ever real. No one will ever look perfect. There are still things that hold true. The melody is exquisite. The lyrics are clever and ardent. The song will be performed for many years to come.

For me what will I do? I see comfy sweats, warm socks, popcorn, a beverage and Judy singing her heart out in a movie of by gone days….


Although I can't dismiss, The memory of his kiss, I guess he's not for me… Ah, so true!