The tables are empty, the dance floor’s deserted. You play the same love song – it’s the 10th time you’ve heard it. That’s the beginning, just one of the clues. You’ve had your first lesson in learnin’ the blues.

The cigarettes you light, one after another, Won’t help you forget her, and the way that you love her. You’re only burnin’ a torch you can’t lose. But you’re on the right track for learnin’ the blues.

When you’re at home alone, The blues will taunt you constantly. When you’re out in a crowd, The blues will haunt your memory.

The nights when you don’t sleep, the whole night you’re crying. But you can’t forget her, soon you even stop trying. You’ll walk that floor and wear out your shoes. When you feel your heart break, you’re learnin’ the blues.

When you’re at home alone, The blues will taunt you constantly. When you’re out in a crowd, Those blues will haunt your memory.

The nights when you don’t sleep, that whole night you’re crying. But you can’t forget her, soon you even stop trying. You’ll walk the floor, and you’ll wear out your shoes. When you feel your heart break, you’re learnin’ those blues.

I could listen to this song over and over. The first time I heard this song, Frank Sinatra sang it to me. I wasn’t grieving. I wasn’t feeling the blues. The lyrics and his voice just made me ache.

Some little upstart, Katie Melua, has recorded her version of his song. I haven’t heard it. I have it on order at the library. Ok, that’s a lie. My library holds are full of Babylon 5 DVDs, so I put the hold on Mike’s card. Until it comes for me, I have to wait to listen to the “New Norah.” When did Norah Jones become so “it” that other singers are described as the “New Norah”?

Sure, the first time I heard this song, Frank was singing. His version is the version I prefer because I love his voice, but wasn’t it Ella Fitzgerald that really made this song popular? What has happened in this world? A little girl sings an old song and she’s dubbed the “New Norah” instead of the “New Ella.” I don’t know why this is bugging me.

Ok, that’s a lie. I’m bugged because I’m jealous. Some adorable brunette is selling an album singing one of my favorite songs and it’s not me. Worse still, she’s dubbed the “New Norah” as if there was something wrong with the original Norah. I’m a writer, not a singer. Ok, that’s a lie, too. I’m a writer. I’m a singer. I’m a painter. I’m even a dancer. I shouldn’t be bothered by the sudden fame of anyone within the lime light of the performing arts, but suddenly, I am.

Envy can be a positive motivator. Let it inspire you to work harder for what you want. – Robert Bringle, quoted in Redbook