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

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1958









Released: 1944
Length: 2:55
Plays (last 30 days): 3
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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 (102)add comment
We wouldn't have half the singers today without singers like Ella!
Posted 1 month ago by vancourt7027    [ Reply ]
And here I am in the office, desperately trying not to nod and/or toe-tap.....
Posted 9 months ago by Bleyfusz    [ Reply ]
May the gods hold you and care for you Ella. You were one in a million.
Posted 1 year ago by GingerandMe    [ Reply ]
Ella. One of if not THE greatest female singer artist ever and always will be. 

(in my songbook anyway)
Posted 1 year ago by hightail    [ Reply ]
 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".
Posted 1 year ago by bruceandjenna    [ Reply ]
Her voice is beyond this world.  love Love LOVE!
Posted 1 year ago by casey1024    [ Reply ]
 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. 
Posted 2 years ago by carlos65    [ Reply ]
 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.



Posted 2 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
GODLIKE!!!
Posted 2 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
Lovely. When I hear this I think of old Tom & Jerry cartoons.
Posted 2 years ago by packard1    [ Reply ]
Beautiful segue to this from Eva Cassidy's Wade In The Water. Seamless!
Posted 3 years ago by zenhead    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 3 years ago by eyke    [ Reply ]
The greatest voice of that generation. And that century.
Posted 3 years ago by todbothom    [ Reply ]
Her clarity is just beyond beyond. 
Posted 3 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
Beautiful - reminded me of a dear living soul Albanie Falletta. Give her a listen. Will not disappoint. Thanks for playing it, RP!
Posted 4 years ago by LisaLu    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 4 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
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).




Posted 4 years ago by haretic    [ Reply ]
Whenever I hear Ella Fitzgerald on RP,
I can only smile ,,,,,excellent
Posted 4 years ago by neptunejeff    [ Reply ]
There is nothing better than New York  jazz from 40's... 
Posted 4 years ago by EdSe    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 6 years ago by Hogar    [ Reply ]
 dmiklitz wrote:
Gotta love it. One of the many reasons I LOVE RP! The antithesis of the commercial radio playlist. Hallelujah. 

 
Amen to that
Posted 6 years ago by markybx    [ Reply ]
Gotta love it. One of the many reasons I LOVE RP! The antithesis of the commercial radio playlist. Hallelujah. 
Posted 6 years ago by dmiklitz    [ Reply ]
 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.
 
 
 

Posted 7 years ago by Jota    [ Reply ]
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.  
Posted 7 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
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?
Posted 7 years ago by iloveradio    [ Reply ]
Ella crushes this one. The lyrics suit her and the arrangement is gold.
Posted 7 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
Whatta voice! 
Posted 7 years ago by casey1024    [ Reply ]
 denmom wrote:
Not what I tune into RP for.

 
EXACTLY what I tune in to RP for...a brilliant, eclectic mix of music!
Posted 7 years ago by wtango    [ Reply ]
Check out a recording company Pablo, he recorded many of the greats in 60s who didn't have contracts anymore
Posted 7 years ago by LAwolf8    [ Reply ]
I have a huge vinyl collection of her , Duke and Sarah, Sarah actually had a greater range but Ella always was incredible.
Posted 7 years ago by LAwolf8    [ Reply ]
Really nice! She definitely had one of the most powerful, unique, and lovely voices, and her jazzy sense of timing still blows me away...
Posted 8 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
 Peter_Bradshaw wrote:
{#Heartkiss}{#Heartkiss}{#Heartkiss}{#Heartkiss} Legend - luv it loads

 
So do I! {#Clap}{#Clap}{#Clap}
Posted 8 years ago by VH1    [ Reply ]
So. Great! {#Jump}
Posted 8 years ago by Asa001    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 8 years ago by flyboy50    [ Reply ]
Freakin' fantastic.  Best voice in the biz. {#Hearteyes}
Posted 8 years ago by casey1024    [ Reply ]
 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!  
Posted 8 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
 
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 . . .
Posted 8 years ago by springof63    [ Reply ]
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!
Posted 9 years ago by 2020sk    [ Reply ]
 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?
Posted 9 years ago by DeemerDave    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 9 years ago by AvoidingWork    [ Reply ]
I love Ella's voice and it's always a pleasure to hear it. 
Posted 9 years ago by rotten    [ Reply ]
 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!
Posted 9 years ago by eroz    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 9 years ago by LizK    [ Reply ]
Happy to hear this
Posted 9 years ago by arserocket    [ Reply ]
 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. 
Posted 9 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 9 years ago by Antigone    [ Reply ]
Ella's legendary.    
Posted 9 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 9 years ago by JeanRose    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 9 years ago by Rotterdam    [ Reply ]
 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".
Posted 9 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Always a pleasure to hear one of the greatest who EVER lived! Thanks Bill and Becky!
Posted 9 years ago by fitmartin    [ Reply ]
 dragon1952 wrote:
... does anyone really want to hear this on Radio Paradise?

 
Yup.
Posted 9 years ago by dwhayslett    [ Reply ]
Not what I tune into RP for.
Posted 9 years ago by denmom    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 9 years ago by xtalman    [ Reply ]
finger snappin' baby.. {#Yes}
Posted 9 years ago by moodfood    [ Reply ]
 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!
Posted 9 years ago by Webfoot    [ Reply ]
 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
Posted 9 years ago by arserocket    [ Reply ]
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?
Posted 9 years ago by dragon1952    [ Reply ]
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.

 


Posted 9 years ago by Artemis_Crow    [ Reply ]
Sweety sweet!{#Good-vibes} 
Posted 10 years ago by ljoergen    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 10 years ago by pinem    [ Reply ]
so smooth... nobody today can sing like her. voice as instrument.
Posted 10 years ago by daveesh    [ Reply ]
her voice... what clarity. rare to be so pure and soulful at the same time. 
Posted 10 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
Now this is what I want to be listening to, 20 years from now.
Posted 10 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
Wow fantastic tune thanks Bill
Posted 10 years ago by fitmartin    [ Reply ]
 tulfan wrote:
I knew there had to be a song I liked from her...this is it.  

 
What? WHAT?!?
Posted 10 years ago by Sasha2001    [ Reply ]
I knew there had to be a song I liked from her...this is it.  
Posted 10 years ago by tulfan    [ Reply ]
Classic 1970s TV Commercial with Ella.  Is Live?  Or is it Memorex?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-IvTF0xUxM
Posted 10 years ago by luv4music    [ Reply ]
What a FANTASTIC voice.  Love her.
Posted 10 years ago by casey1024    [ Reply ]
Goddess Like....   {#Notworthy}
Posted 10 years ago by shellbella    [ Reply ]
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. 
Posted 10 years ago by Bat    [ Reply ]
 GeorgeMWoods wrote:
I adore this woman. Her talent was just breathtaking.

 
{#Yes}
Posted 10 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]
I adore this woman. Her talent was just breathtaking.
Posted 10 years ago by GeorgeMWoods    [ Reply ]
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!
Posted 10 years ago by BBoyes    [ Reply ]
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. 
Posted 10 years ago by bam23    [ Reply ]
{#Heartkiss}{#Heartkiss}{#Heartkiss}{#Heartkiss} Legend - luv it loads
Posted 10 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]
Perhaps--and this is only somewhat going out on a limb--the greatest female pop vocalist ever.
Posted 11 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
my 7 on this must have been a typo. solid 9. I've heard her do better.
Posted 11 years ago by jpfueler    [ Reply ]
Go Ella!! {#Clap}
Posted 11 years ago by Catecaneverall    [ Reply ]
Jazz singer. Yeah.
Posted 11 years ago by lawfitzg    [ Reply ]
 handyrae wrote:

Indeed.
 
one note from ella... amazing. 
Posted 11 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
Caro Emerald doing this sort of thing nowadays is not a bad thing!  DIVINE!
Posted 11 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
 asilbuch wrote:
One of the most beautiful voices ever
 
Indeed.
Posted 11 years ago by handyrae    [ Reply ]
 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...
 
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]

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


Posted 11 years ago by howton52    [ Reply ]
 Dahlia_Gumbo wrote:
Excellent!!! Thank you for playing this.
 

YES!
Posted 12 years ago by rtwingo    [ Reply ]
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...  
Posted 12 years ago by scott_bruce    [ Reply ]
They don't make them like Ella nowadays.  Beautiful melody that has swing! {#Clap}
Posted 12 years ago by cafortier    [ Reply ]
You tell'em, Ella.
What a beautiful, utterly cool delivery.
So glad to hear this on RP. 
Posted 12 years ago by Rotterdam    [ Reply ]
Excellent!!! Thank you for playing this.


Posted 12 years ago by Dahlia_Gumbo    [ Reply ]
One of the most beautiful voices ever
Posted 12 years ago by asilbuch    [ Reply ]
I heard someone on NPR once describe her voice as sounding like "a diamond dipped in honey."
Posted 12 years ago by mmoyer    [ Reply ]
Simply remarkable. 
Posted 12 years ago by voodoodaddy    [ Reply ]
 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.

Posted 13 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
 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. 

Posted 13 years ago by Prodigal_SOB    [ Reply ]
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}
Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
This song is not on my version of this CD.  Wish it was!
Posted 13 years ago by More_Cowbell    [ Reply ]
A swingin' riff, but, ironically, they don't blow the lid off!

=9=
Posted 13 years ago by Bone    [ Reply ]
Yay! I am first to rate the greatest vocalist of all times! 10 of course!{#Notworthy}
Posted 13 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
Ron Cherry's song. "givin' him the business" ref. hilarious.
Posted 13 years ago by bmeador    [ Reply ]
Sublime!
Posted 13 years ago by Antigone    [ Reply ]