Ella Fitzgerald - What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? Lyrics

What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?

What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration

Ella Fitzgerald's rendition of "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" captures the universal feeling of hopeful anticipation as the year draws to a close. Penned by Frank Loesser, the song delicately expresses the vulnerable position of someone waiting and wishing to share the pivotal moment of welcoming the New Year with a specific person. The lyrics move from tentative inquiry to a bolder, yet still hesitant, direct question about their plans, highlighting the emotional weight placed on this particular night and the desire for a shared experience. It speaks to the quiet anxiety beneath the festive surface, the uncertainty of not knowing where one stands in the affection or priorities of another, especially when invitations are plentiful.

The lyrical narrative is built on this foundation of hopeful uncertainty. The speaker acknowledges the early nature of the question ("Maybe it's much too early in the game") but feels compelled to ask anyway, driven by curiosity and longing. The image of "whose arms will hold you good and tight / When it's exactly twelve o'clock that night" powerfully illustrates the core desire for intimacy and connection at a moment symbolizing a fresh start. The lines "Maybe I'm crazy to suppose / I'd ever be the one you chose" reveal the speaker's self-doubt, contrasting their humble hope against the potential reality of the beloved's popularity and many options. Despite this vulnerability, the "jackpot question" is posed, representing the ultimate gamble for connection and the possibility of a shared New Year's Eve.

Ella Fitzgerald, renowned for her impeccable timing, melodic phrasing, and emotional depth, imbues this song with a perfect blend of tenderness and swing. While the song was written in 1947, Fitzgerald's various recordings, particularly her classic interpretations, cemented its status as a New Year's standard. Her voice navigates the delicate balance between the lyrics' inherent shyness and the underlying strength of feeling. Regarding the song video released on October 27, 2023, this event marked the release of an official lyric video by Verve Records featuring Ella Fitzgerald's timeless audio recording. Such visual accompaniments serve to introduce classic performances to contemporary digital audiences, providing a modern visual representation of the song while honoring the original audio integrity.

The theme of anticipating a future moment with hope, especially one marking a new beginning like the New Year, holds a deeply resonant and inspirational quality. The song, despite its focus on romantic possibility, reflects a broader human experience: the hope for positive change, the courage required to pursue connection, and the recognition that moments of transition carry significant meaning. It encourages introspection about our own desires and the steps, however small or hesitant, we take to pursue them, reminding us that even vulnerable questions can open doors to new possibilities. The act of asking, despite potential rejection, is itself a form of hope and faith in the future.

Themes present in the song, such as hope for the future, new beginnings, and the vulnerability of expressing one's hopes, find echoes in various scripture references. Jeremiah 29:11 offers a powerful message of hope for the future, stating, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." This resonates with the anticipation of the New Year as a time filled with potential and divine purpose. Isaiah 43:18-19 speaks to new beginnings and leaving the past behind: "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." This aligns with the concept of the New Year as a fresh start, a time when God may be initiating something entirely new. Furthermore, the vulnerability in asking and hoping relates to the call to bring our requests and anxieties before a higher power, as suggested in Philippians 4:6-7: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Ultimately, Ella Fitzgerald's performance of "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" remains a cherished piece, perfectly capturing the wistful charm and hopeful uncertainty surrounding the arrival of a new year and the potential for shared moments. Its enduring popularity is a testament to the relatable human emotions it expresses and the timeless elegance of its musical execution, solidifying its place as an essential part of the New Year's soundtrack.