Someone to Watch over Me

Ella Fitzgerald

About Someone to Watch over Me

"Someone to Watch Over Me" is a 1926 song composed by George Gershwin with lyrics by Ira Gershwin. It was written for singer Gertrude Lawrence in the musical Oh, Kay! (1926). Originally, "Someone to Watch Over Me" was an up-tempo swing, but upon experimenting one day George Gershwin played the song as a ballad, and it stuck ever since. The song was recorded by Frank Sinatra in 1946, for his first album The Voice Of Frank Sinatra, and again by him in 1954 for the film Young At Heart. It was later covered by several hundred artists, among others: Ella Fitzgerald (1951); Chet Baker (1955); Dakota Staton (1960); Barbra Streisand (1965); Ray Charles (1969); Willie Nelson (1978); Linda Rondstadt (1983); and Rickie Lee Jones (2000). The 1987 romantic crime thriller film Someone to Watch Over Me takes its name from the song, which is featured throughout the film in a version sung by Sting. An episode of Star Trek: Voyager, Someone to Watch Over Me (Star Trek: Voyager), aired on April 28, 1999, and featured the song throughout the episode. 


Year:
1996
4:32
527 
#1

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There's a saying old, says that love is blind
Still we're often told, seek and ye shall find
So I'm going to seek a certain lad I've had in mind

Looking everywhere, haven't found him yet
He's the big affair I cannot forget
Only man I ever think of with regret

I'd like to add his initial to my monogram
Tell me, where is the shepherd for this lost lamb

There's a somebody I'm longin' to see
I hope that he turns out to be
Someone who'll watch over me

I'm a little lamb who's lost in the wood
I know I could, always be good
To one who'll watch over me

Although he may not be the man
Some girls think of as handsome
To my heart he carries the key

Won't you tell him please to put on some speed
Follow my lead, oh, how I need
Someone to watch over me

Won't you tell him please to put on some speed
Follow my lead, oh, how I need
Someone to watch over me

Someone to watch over me

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Ella Fitzgerald

Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996), also known as the "First Lady of Song", "Queen of Jazz", and "Lady Ella", was an American jazz and song vocalist. With a vocal range spanning three octaves (D♭3 to D♭6), she was noted for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing and intonation, and a "horn-like" improvisational ability, particularly in her scat singing. more »

11 fans

Written by: IRA GERSHWIN, GEORGE GERSHWIN

Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


8 facts about this song

Song Origin
"Someone to Watch Over Me" is a song composed by George Gershwin with lyrics by his brother Ira Gershwin, written in 1926 for the Broadway musical "Oh, Kay!"
Artists
Barbra Streisand: She covered "Someone to Watch Over Me" in her 1965 album "My Name Is Barbra." - Chet Baker: The jazz artist recorded the song on multiple occasions, with one of the most notable ones being in 1955 for the album "Chet Baker Sings". - Dakota Staton: This jazz singer recorded the song in her 1960 album "Round Midnight". - Ella Fitzgerald: Fitzgerald's version of the song in her 1959 album "Ella Fitzgerald Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Song Book", was a significant one. - Frank Sinatra: Sinatra covered the song in his 1984 album "She Shot Me Down". - Rickie Lee Jones: Jones covered the song in her 2000 pop and jazz album "It's Like This". - Sting: Sting sang this song live in 1987 during the 31st Annual Grammy Awards.
Gertrude Lawrence
She was the first actress to perform "Someone to Watch Over Me" on stage in the Broadway musical "Oh, Kay!" in 1926.
Historic Notation
This song is identified as the primary signature song of Gertrude Lawrence from its first night on Broadway. - The song was one of George Gershwin’s earliest "hits" and contributed significantly to his popularity as a composer.
Cultural Influence
It has been featured in numerous films and television shows including the 1993 film "Sleepless in Seattle." - The song has been covered by a broad multitude of artists spanning genres from jazz to pop, demonstrating its cultural impact.
Modern Interpretations
Many artists have re-interpreted the song throughout the years to fit their own styles, or to reflect changing times. Even instrumental versions of the song by orchestras and solo musicians have been acclaimed.
Music Style
The song has a jazz standard and torch song style, marking it as a mainstay of many jazz singers and musicians.
Lyrics Meaning
The lyrics of "Someone to Watch Over Me" reflect a feeling of vulnerability and the longing for a protector, a theme common in many Gershwin songs.

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