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Things Ain't What They Used to Be Lyrics
Got so weary of bein' nothin',
Felt so dreary just doin' nothin'
Didn't care ever gettin' nothin', felt so low
Now my eyes on the far horizon can see a glow
Announcin' things ain't what they used to be.
No use bein' a doubtin' Thomas,
No ignorin' that rosy promise;
Now I know there's a happy story yet to come.
It's the dawn of a day of glory: millennium
I tell you things ain't what they used to be.
Felt so dreary just doin' nothin'
Didn't care ever gettin' nothin', felt so low
Now my eyes on the far horizon can see a glow
Announcin' things ain't what they used to be.
No ignorin' that rosy promise;
Now I know there's a happy story yet to come.
It's the dawn of a day of glory: millennium
I tell you things ain't what they used to be.
Song Info
Submitted by
songmeanings On Feb 06, 2012
More Duke Ellington
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The lyrics shown are NOT for "Things Ain't What They Used to Be" with music by Mercer Ellington, lyrics by Ted Persons. They're from "I Got It Bad (and That Ain't Good)" with music by Duke Ellington, lyrics by Paul Francis Webster. Both songs were written in 1941-42 and introduced by Duke Ellington's orchestra. (I don't subscribe to Amazon Music, so I don't know what song you'll hear if you follow that link.)
@MandyW Think I have them updated. I'm getting conflicted lyrics from the publishers. In one case, I have the updated lyrics being displayed now, but in another case, I see this song being marked as instrumental.
@MandyW Think I have them updated. I'm getting conflicted lyrics from the publishers. In one case, I have the updated lyrics being displayed now, but in another case, I see this song being marked as instrumental.
@MandyW The song is USUALLY performed as an instrumental. Although it was written in 1942, the only vocal performances I know about were by Ella Fitzgerald in 1971:
@MandyW The song is USUALLY performed as an instrumental. Although it was written in 1942, the only vocal performances I know about were by Ella Fitzgerald in 1971:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4crGNAZfxMA from Reprise Records album "Things Ain't What They Used To Be - And You Better Believe It" - arrangements and orchestra conducted by Gerald Wilson - produced by Norman Granz.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4crGNAZfxMA from Reprise Records album "Things Ain't What They Used To Be - And You Better Believe It" - arrangements and orchestra conducted by Gerald Wilson - produced by Norman Granz.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvWDeG8mKRU live with Tommy Flanagan trio and Count Basie Orchestra - ?where?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvWDeG8mKRU live with Tommy Flanagan trio and Count Basie Orchestra - ?where?
I was searching because I was curious as to WHEN Ted Persons wrote the lyrics (? in 1971...
I was searching because I was curious as to WHEN Ted Persons wrote the lyrics (? in 1971 specifically for Ella ?)