michael lambe's scrapbook

Lush Life is the name of a famous jazz standard written by Billy Strayhorn. The song tells of a young man who seeking to discover life in “the very gay places / Those come what may places…” (i.e. bars), has his heart broken by a “siren” with a “poignant smile”. The song describes his disappointment with life and love and his determination to live a “lush life”.

I’ll forget you, I will
While yet you are still burning inside my brain.
Romance is mush,
Stifling those who strive.
I’ll live a lush life in some small dive…
And there I’ll be, while I rot
With the rest of those whose lives are lonely, too..

Damn! He could be talking about me! Of course the lyrics are fairly simple in themselves. You have to listen to the melody to get the deep feel of the thing. Try getting hold of the Nat King Cole or Johnny Hartman versions. What is remarkable is that Billy Strayhorn apparently wrote this when he was but 16. I was still listening to Def Leppard when I was 16.

Lush Life just also happens to be the name of the cafe I’ve reviewed on Deep Kyoto today. Every now and again, when I’m looking for new places to put on the sister blog, I come across a place that really stands out. Hachihachi Infinity Cafe was one of them and Lush Life is one of them too. I’m definitely going back there again.

And tonight? Philippe and I will be frequenting some “come what may places” of our own. Tune in tomorrow for yet more “twelve o’clock tales”.