“Ella Fitzgerald – What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve” is a soul-stirring jazz standard that transcends the boundaries of time, capturing the essence of New Year’s Eve with unparalleled elegance. Released in 1960 as part of Ella’s “Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas” album, the song has become synonymous with the reflective and hopeful spirit of the year’s end. Ella Fitzgerald’s velvety voice, combined with the lush orchestration, creates an enchanting atmosphere that resonates with listeners, making it a perennial favorite during the holiday season.
The song’s musical arrangement is a testament to Fitzgerald’s vocal prowess and the era’s penchant for sophisticated jazz. The gentle sway of the melody, adorned with orchestral flourishes, sets the perfect backdrop for Ella’s emotive delivery. The song invites listeners to contemplate the passage of time, evoking a sense of warmth and contemplation that is synonymous with the holiday season.
MEANING BEHIND
“What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve” explores the anticipation and uncertainty that often accompanies the turn of the year. The lyrics, written by Frank Loesser, convey a sense of yearning and contemplation as the narrator wonders about the romantic possibilities of spending New Year’s Eve with a loved one. The song beautifully captures the mix of hope and introspection that characterizes the transition into a new year.
Ella Fitzgerald’s interpretation adds a layer of sophistication and emotion to the song. Her nuanced delivery brings out the depth of the lyrics, creating an emotional resonance that transcends the holiday theme. The song has become a reflection of the universal experience of bidding farewell to the old and embracing the possibilities of the new.
As Ella Fitzgerald poses the timeless question, “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve,” the song invites listeners to embark on a journey of introspection and romance. Its enduring popularity lies in its ability to evoke the magic and sentimentality of the holiday season, making it a cherished addition to New Year’s Eve playlists worldwide.
VIDEO
LYRICS
When the bells all ring and the horns all blowAnd the couples we know are fondly kissingWill I be with you or will I be among the missing?Maybe it’s much too early in the gameAh, but I thought I’d ask you just the sameWhat are you doing New Year’s, New Year’s eve?Wonder whose arms will hold you good and tightWhen it’s exactly twelve o’clock that nightWelcoming in the New Year, New Year’s Eve?Maybe I’m crazy to supposeI’d ever be the one you choseOut of the thousand invitations you receivedAh, but in case I stand one little chanceHere comes the jackpot question in advanceWhat are you doing New Year’s, New Year’s Eve?Ah, but in case I stand one little chanceHere comes the jackpot question in advanceWhat are you doing New Year’s, New Year’s Eve?Oh, what are you doing New Year’s, New Year’s Eve?