Fly Me To The Moon (Frank Sinatra)
Jay Smith
A Serenade Among the Stars: The Romantic Allure of 'Fly Me To The Moon'
The song 'Fly Me To The Moon,' famously performed by Frank Sinatra and covered by artists like Jay Smith, is a timeless classic that has enchanted listeners with its romantic lyrics and melodic charm. The song, written by Bart Howard in 1954, uses celestial imagery as a metaphor for the boundless nature of love and desire. The opening lines, 'Fly me to the moon / Let me play among the stars,' suggest a yearning for an extraordinary, out-of-this-world experience with a loved one, transcending the mundane reality of everyday life.
The repeated phrase 'In other words' serves as a prelude to the singer's true feelings, emphasizing the importance of the message that follows. It's a poetic way of saying, 'to put it simply,' or 'what I really mean is.' The lyrics 'hold my hand' and 'baby, kiss me' are straightforward expressions of affection, while 'please be true' and 'I love you' reveal the depth of the singer's emotional commitment. The song's structure, with its recurring pleas for love and truth, mirrors the cyclical and enduring nature of love itself.
Musically, 'Fly Me To The Moon' is often associated with the jazz genre, characterized by its smooth melody and swing rhythm. The song's ability to evoke a sense of wonder and romance has made it a popular choice for intimate moments, such as weddings or anniversaries. Jay Smith's interpretation, like Sinatra's, captures the timeless essence of the song, allowing listeners to feel as though they are being serenaded under a starlit sky. The song's enduring popularity is a testament to its universal theme of love and the human desire to express it in the most grandiose and poetic terms possible.