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Ella Fitzgerald — Once Too Often
Album: Volume 1
Avg rating:
7.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1782









Released: 1944
Length: 2:56
Plays (last 30 days): 2
Once too often
I'll get the go-by once too often
I'm gettin' mighty sick and tired
Of totin' a torch for you.
So just be careful brother,
I too, can find another,
remember, anything that you do,
I can do too.

Once too often
you're gonna slip up once too often
And then you'll have to change your tune
And sing in a different key
That line that you've been usin'
Will cease to be amusin'
It's gonna boomarang
When you come looking for me.

Say, you're a wizard when it comes to cryin'
A master in the art of "alibi-ing"
Go on and do your tall and fancy lyin', baby,
But! You will say you're sorry
Once too often

You're gonna weep but
I won't soften
You're gonna whimper like a pup
The day I catch up with you
Step out, go on and show off.
Some night, the lid will blow off
You're gonna give my heart the business
Once too often!
Comments (101)add comment
And here I am in the office, desperately trying not to nod and/or toe-tap.....
May the gods hold you and care for you Ella. You were one in a million.
Ella. One of if not THE greatest female singer artist ever and always will be. 

(in my songbook anyway)
 Hogar wrote:

This song made me look up the lyricist, and it was worth reading about him: Mack Gordon (wikipedia link).  Simply timeless song - lyrics, melody, Ella, orchestra, arrangement.



Thanks for the link.  This sentence tells it all

He was nominated for the best original song Oscar nine times in 11 years, including five consecutive years between 1940 and 1944, and won the award once, for "You'll Never Know".
Her voice is beyond this world.  love Love LOVE!
 2020sk wrote:

The general pleasant background hum of RP is occasionally interrupted by an irresistible foot-thumping scorcher, and I have to look up from my work to find out what made my legs beat so. I'm not sure I could listen to Ella all day long, but her energy and talent never fail to work their magic when woven into RP's famous eclectic mix, and this variety is exactly why I love RP - even the songs I hate at first, I know there must be some reason why they made the playlist, so maybe one day they'll grow on me. Keep listening, with open ears!



Me also, it's one of those things that makes RP great. Even if it's a song I've heard before, it can catch my attention and I switch from the Sonos app to RP to see what it is. Just done that with Rosalia followed by Ella. 
 Hogar wrote:

This song made me look up the lyricist, and it was worth reading about him: Mack Gordon (wikipedia link).  Simply timeless song - lyrics, melody, Ella, orchestra, arrangement.



GODLIKE!!!
Lovely. When I hear this I think of old Tom & Jerry cartoons.
Beautiful segue to this from Eva Cassidy's Wade In The Water. Seamless!
 cc_rider wrote:

Recently read a great article about her. Her big debut was at an Amateur Night at The Apollo (!!). 17 years old, homeless, the audience laughed at her skinny legs and disheveled appearance. Then she began to sing...

c.



 Thanks to Chick Webb for having her front his band, even though she was "not pretty". We are all enriched by it.
The greatest voice of that generation. And that century.
Her clarity is just beyond beyond. 
Beautiful - reminded me of a dear living soul Albanie Falletta. Give her a listen. Will not disappoint. Thanks for playing it, RP!
Recently read a great article about her. Her big debut was at an Amateur Night at The Apollo (!!). 17 years old, homeless, the audience laughed at her skinny legs and disheveled appearance. Then she began to sing...

c.
Ella was my musician Dad's all-time favorite female vocalist.

(It is so odd: my Dad was a closet bigot; but like many of his generation, he could appreciate and acknowledge the musical genius of a Black person without surrendering his racism).
I suppose that pretty similar "denial based" (stress-coping?) strategies still operate in us today, even if they come concealed behind politically correct disclaimers.

Anyway, my point: the sound quality of the recordings my father occasionally played for me was far poorer than we find in reproductions we can buy or hear today on RP, even if it is from the same original material.

My hat is off to technology, and to the people who use technology to enrich and beautify our world. (Not to be confused with the people who are using technology to surveil, manipulate, and enslave us.
Well... except for when they're the same people).




Whenever I hear Ella Fitzgerald on RP,
I can only smile ,,,,,excellent
There is nothing better than New York  jazz from 40's... 
This song made me look up the lyricist, and it was worth reading about him: Mack Gordon (wikipedia link).  Simply timeless song - lyrics, melody, Ella, orchestra, arrangement.
 dmiklitz wrote:
Gotta love it. One of the many reasons I LOVE RP! The antithesis of the commercial radio playlist. Hallelujah. 

 
Amen to that
Gotta love it. One of the many reasons I LOVE RP! The antithesis of the commercial radio playlist. Hallelujah. 
 dragon1952 wrote:
OK so she's a legend but seriously does anyone really want to hear this on Radio Paradise? What percentage of listeners could possibly be dying for this song to come on?

 
Ignoring the stupidity of your comment for one moment and looking at the proud claim of Radio Paradise to be an eclectic station -

eclectic
ɪˈklɛktɪk/
adjective
adjective: eclectic; adjective: Eclectic
1.
deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources.
 
 
 

The greatest voice ever in recorded music! She did it with big bands, small groups, and over 40 years with all kinds of genres. 

And every song, every freakin note... she hit's it. Smooth, silky, pitch, tone...perfect. Never a hint of off-key or dissonance. 

Nobody comes close. Not even old blue eyes.  
Thank you RP for the fantastic variety of music; just like old timey FM radio of the mid-late 1960s.
How about some Firesign Theater for some great psychedelic comedy?
Ella crushes this one. The lyrics suit her and the arrangement is gold.
Whatta voice! 
 denmom wrote:
Not what I tune into RP for.

 
EXACTLY what I tune in to RP for...a brilliant, eclectic mix of music!
Check out a recording company Pablo, he recorded many of the greats in 60s who didn't have contracts anymore
I have a huge vinyl collection of her , Duke and Sarah, Sarah actually had a greater range but Ella always was incredible.
Really nice! She definitely had one of the most powerful, unique, and lovely voices, and her jazzy sense of timing still blows me away...
 Peter_Bradshaw wrote:
{#Heartkiss}{#Heartkiss}{#Heartkiss}{#Heartkiss} Legend - luv it loads

 
So do I! {#Clap}{#Clap}{#Clap}
So. Great! {#Jump}
 dragon1952 wrote:
OK so she's a legend but seriously does anyone really want to hear this on Radio Paradise? What percentage of listeners could possibly be dying for this song to come on?

 
How boring life would be if every moment was predictable.  It's the diamond in the muke that brings us joy.
Freakin' fantastic.  Best voice in the biz. {#Hearteyes}
 LizK wrote:

I do. And it seems the voting (8.2) affirms that a lot of listeners want to hear Ella.

 
{#Clap}{#Dancingbanana_2}

Pretty sure the Goldsmiths like songs that rate so high too.

Check out that PSD button, Dragon1952!  
 
dragon1952 wrote:
OK so she's a legend but seriously does anyone really want to hear this on Radio Paradise? What percentage of listeners could possibly be dying for this song to come on?

 
DeemerDave wrote:

So dragon1952, about 7% of listeners rating this song rated it less than a 6 so apparently approximately 94% of listeners like the song. Although I think "dying" to hear it is overly dramatic. How many songs are you dying to hear?


If there is a song that anyone is dying to hear i reckon it could only be 'Flirted With You All My Life' (i would guess probably the Cowboy Junkies version). Did you see what i did there?

or 'See These Bones' - Nada Surf, perhaps . . .
The general pleasant background hum of RP is occasionally interrupted by an irresistible foot-thumping scorcher, and I have to look up from my work to find out what made my legs beat so. I'm not sure I could listen to Ella all day long, but her energy and talent never fail to work their magic when woven into RP's famous eclectic mix, and this variety is exactly why I love RP - even the songs I hate at first, I know there must be some reason why they made the playlist, so maybe one day they'll grow on me. Keep listening, with open ears!
 dragon1952 wrote:
OK so she's a legend but seriously does anyone really want to hear this on Radio Paradise? What percentage of listeners could possibly be dying for this song to come on?

 
So dragon1952, about 7% of listeners rating this song rated it less than a 6 so apparently approximately 94% of listeners like the song. Although I think "dying" to hear it is overly dramatic. How many songs are you dying to hear?
 dragon1952 wrote:
OK so she's a legend but seriously does anyone really want to hear this on Radio Paradise? What percentage of listeners could possibly be dying for this song to come on?

 
Lol, you're funny.
I love Ella's voice and it's always a pleasure to hear it. 
 dragon1952 wrote:
OK so she's a legend but seriously does anyone really want to hear this on Radio Paradise? What percentage of listeners could possibly be dying for this song to come on?

 

I'm not "dying" for any song to come on, but I sure as hell enjoy it when this one (amongst many others) does.

I love RP's eclectic playlist!
 dragon1952 wrote:
OK so she's a legend but seriously does anyone really want to hear this on Radio Paradise? What percentage of listeners could possibly be dying for this song to come on?

 
I do. And it seems the voting (8.2) affirms that a lot of listeners want to hear Ella.
Happy to hear this
 dragon1952 wrote:
OK so she's a legend but seriously does anyone really want to hear this on Radio Paradise? What percentage of listeners could possibly be dying for this song to come on?

 
That's what makes RP great: it plays a very eclectic selection of music, programmed with tremendous skill and devotion. I don't know if Spotify-type algorithms are ever going to match RP. 
 dragon1952 wrote:
OK so she's a legend but seriously does anyone really want to hear this on Radio Paradise? What percentage of listeners could possibly be dying for this song to come on?

 
Count me in the dying crowd ... {#Skull}

Ella is always welcome. And I rated this a solid 10.
Ella's legendary.    
 Rotterdam wrote:

Count me in on the list of people that love hearing this on RP. That she is a legend is not important to me. That this is a classic of its type, and that it seems to define swing for me (as it originally was meant), is why I love it.

 
I could not agree with you more.  A lot of music has it's roots in this era.  Thank you RP for keeping our roots in mind.
 dragon1952 wrote:
OK so she's a legend but seriously does anyone really want to hear this on Radio Paradise? What percentage of listeners could possibly be dying for this song to come on?

 
Count me in on the list of people that love hearing this on RP. That she is a legend is not important to me. That this is a classic of its type, and that it seems to define swing for me (as it originally was meant), is why I love it.
 dragon1952 wrote:
OK so she's a legend but seriously does anyone really want to hear this on Radio Paradise? What percentage of listeners could possibly be dying for this song to come on?

 
Out of 470 people who rated this song, 321 rated it "7" or higher, so that's more than 68% who find this song "Quite Likable" or better. However, I'm not sure what percentage of listeners are "dying for (any one) song to come on".
Always a pleasure to hear one of the greatest who EVER lived! Thanks Bill and Becky!
 dragon1952 wrote:
... does anyone really want to hear this on Radio Paradise?

 
Yup.
Not what I tune into RP for.
 dragon1952 wrote:
OK so she's a legend but seriously does anyone really want to hear this on Radio Paradise? What percentage of listeners could possibly be dying for this song to come on?

 
Dying, no.  Enjoying when it comes around most definitely.
finger snappin' baby.. {#Yes}
 dragon1952 wrote:
OK so she's a legend but seriously does anyone really want to hear this on Radio Paradise? What percentage of listeners could possibly be dying for this song to come on?

 
I'm at the mercy of Bill & Rebecca, which is ok in my book.  Hearing the unexpected is exactly why I am here!
 dragon1952 wrote:
OK so she's a legend but seriously does anyone really want to hear this on Radio Paradise? What percentage of listeners could possibly be dying for this song to come on?

 
It just hit the spot for me ... :O) have a nice one
OK so she's a legend but seriously does anyone really want to hear this on Radio Paradise? What percentage of listeners could possibly be dying for this song to come on?
I listen to a lot of contemporary music as well as stuff from the pre-60's and before. We really have some good vocalists today, don't get me wrong; performers like Ella, though, have a musicality and control that can be difficult to find in modern singers. With almost no tech to help her sound, Ella managed to be exactly spot on key without fail, could play with rhythm and phrasing like a boss, and could improvise in really creative and wonderful ways.


pinem wrote:
Why is it that anything pre-60's rates high, no way most people would prefer this sound compared to good contemporary music. At least it's better than Rap (crap), Heavy Metal, Honkey Tonk Country, or Opera. Just my two cents.

 


Sweety sweet!{#Good-vibes} 
Why is it that anything pre-60's rates high, no way most people would prefer this sound compared to good contemporary music. At least it's better than Rap (crap), Heavy Metal, Honkey Tonk Country, or Opera. Just my two cents.
so smooth... nobody today can sing like her. voice as instrument.
her voice... what clarity. rare to be so pure and soulful at the same time. 
Now this is what I want to be listening to, 20 years from now.
Wow fantastic tune thanks Bill
 tulfan wrote:
I knew there had to be a song I liked from her...this is it.  

 
What? WHAT?!?
I knew there had to be a song I liked from her...this is it.  
Classic 1970s TV Commercial with Ella.  Is Live?  Or is it Memorex?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-IvTF0xUxM
What a FANTASTIC voice.  Love her.
Goddess Like....   {#Notworthy}
I just sprang for the "Complete Song Books" set.  A 16 disc set of Ella covering some of the great American song writer including Cole Porter, George and Ira Gershwin, Jerome Kern, Harold Arlen, Rodgers and Hart, Johnny Mercer, Irving Berlin, and Duke Ellington.  Recorded from mid 1950s through early 1960s.

Absolutely stunning. 
 GeorgeMWoods wrote:
I adore this woman. Her talent was just breathtaking.

 
{#Yes}
I adore this woman. Her talent was just breathtaking.
Wow, I just tuned in after a few days away (too much time watching Olympics) and wondered if I was on some oldies channel by mistake. Then I was completely taken by this tune. It was preceded by "You're a Cad" (The Bird and the Bee) which was perfect!
So, finally RP has led me to recognize Ella Fitzgerald's voice (at least a younger version). And I can finally see why she is held is such high regard. 
{#Heartkiss}{#Heartkiss}{#Heartkiss}{#Heartkiss} Legend - luv it loads
Perhaps--and this is only somewhat going out on a limb--the greatest female pop vocalist ever.
my 7 on this must have been a typo. solid 9. I've heard her do better.
Go Ella!! {#Clap}
Jazz singer. Yeah.
 handyrae wrote:

Indeed.
 
one note from ella... amazing. 
Caro Emerald doing this sort of thing nowadays is not a bad thing!  DIVINE!
 asilbuch wrote:
One of the most beautiful voices ever
 
Indeed.
 Cynaera wrote:
I love the way Ms. Fitzgerald keeps her cool - you can almost hear the sly grin in her voice as she sings about a cheating man and how she'll get the last laugh.  And oh, that big-band sound in the background... This is nothing but wonderful.  And Cole Porter... NO bad there at all. {#Notworthy}
 

I agree, Cynaera...

miss you...
 

{#Think} Greaatt message..........GREATER singer.


 Dahlia_Gumbo wrote:
Excellent!!! Thank you for playing this.
 

YES!
I always keep RP on as background music in my office. As a ROT (Rule Of Thumb) if I stop in mid-work because the song has caught my attention, it HAS to be a minimum of an 8. {The only exceptions are a few artists who REALLY grate on my nerves...}
Ella got a 9...  
They don't make them like Ella nowadays.  Beautiful melody that has swing! {#Clap}
You tell'em, Ella.
What a beautiful, utterly cool delivery.
So glad to hear this on RP. 
Excellent!!! Thank you for playing this.


One of the most beautiful voices ever
I heard someone on NPR once describe her voice as sounding like "a diamond dipped in honey."
Simply remarkable. 
 Prodigal_SOB wrote:

Nor is it on mine, nor is on the track list provided by Amazon, nor I believe is it even a Cole Porter song.  I suspect the album may be misidentified. 

 
took a bit of Googling, but it was written by Mack Gordon & James Monaco

there are several albums you can find it on at Amazon, but it ain't on the one listed above.

 More_Cowbell wrote:
This song is not on my version of this CD.  Wish it was!
 
Nor is it on mine, nor is on the track list provided by Amazon, nor I believe is it even a Cole Porter song.  I suspect the album may be misidentified. 

I love the way Ms. Fitzgerald keeps her cool - you can almost hear the sly grin in her voice as she sings about a cheating man and how she'll get the last laugh.  And oh, that big-band sound in the background... This is nothing but wonderful.  And Cole Porter... NO bad there at all. {#Notworthy}
This song is not on my version of this CD.  Wish it was!
A swingin' riff, but, ironically, they don't blow the lid off!

=9=
Yay! I am first to rate the greatest vocalist of all times! 10 of course!{#Notworthy}
Ron Cherry's song. "givin' him the business" ref. hilarious.
Sublime!