Things Ain't What They Used to Be cover

Things Ain't What They Used to Be

Ella Fitzgerald · 1970

72 min · 22 tracks · jazz

A rich blend of jazz and soul, showcasing Fitzgerald's timeless vocal prowess over a diverse array of classic tracks.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Get Ready Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
  • →
    I’ll Never Fall in Love Again — This track showcases Fitzgerald's ability to convey deep emotion through her voice, transforming a familiar tune into a haunting ballad that resonates with listeners.
  • →
    I Heard It Through the Grapevine — Fitzgerald's rendition brings a unique jazz interpretation to this Motown classic, highlighting her versatility and skill in blending genres.
  • →
    Black Coffee — With its slow tempo and bluesy undertones, this track allows Fitzgerald's voice to shine, illustrating her mastery of mood and atmosphere.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • vibrant emotional peaks and valleys
  • playful interpretations with rich textures
  • for evening gatherings
  • short tracks for quick enjoyment
  • nostalgic reflections on love

Maybe skip if you

  • seekers of instant gratification
  • prefer longer, cohesive pieces

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Late Career Highlight — Represents Fitzgerald's evolution in sound during her later career.
Themes
soulful reinterpretation· 1970s musical evolution
Career context
Released in 1970, 'Things Ain't What They Used to Be' came at a time when Ella Fitzgerald was transitioning from her peak popularity in the 1950s and 1960s. This album marks one of her later works, as she continued to explore contemporary sounds while still rooted in her jazz origins.
Stylistic neighbors
Billie Holiday· Sarah Vaughan· Louis Armstrong
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Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • Willow Weep for Me

    The narrator reflects on solitude and longing as they address the weeping willow directly, pleading for comfort.

Tracklist

  • 1 Get Ready Start here 2:33
  • 2 The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game 2:59
  • 3 Yellow Man 2:18
  • 4 I’ll Never Fall in Love Again 2:50
  • 5 Got to Get You Into My Life 3:06
  • 6 I Wonder Why 3:10
  • 7 Ooo Baby Baby 2:41
  • 8 Savoy Truffle 2:46
  • 9 Open Your Window 2:49
  • 10 Knock on Wood 3:40
  • 11 Sunny 5:20
  • 12 Mas Que Nada 3:52
  • 13 A Man and a Woman 3:18
  • 14 Days of Wine and Roses 2:24
  • 15 Black Coffee 4:30
  • 16 Tuxedo Junction 3:17
  • 17 I Heard It Through the Grapevine 3:46
  • 18 Don’t Dream of Anyone but Me 4:09
  • 19 Things Ain’t What They Used to Be 3:12
  • 20 Willow Weep for Me 4:44
  • 21 Manteca 2:34
  • 22 Just When We’re Falling in Love 2:30

What to play next

Things Ain’t What They Used to Be (and You Better Believe It)
Listen next

Things Ain’t What They Used to Be (and You Better Believe It)

1971

Continues the themes of change and resilience with a fresh sound.
Ella
Go back to

Ella

1969

Sets the stage with a similar blend of jazz and soul before the current album.
Full Ella Fitzgerald discography Where to start with Ella Fitzgerald Artists like Ella Fitzgerald
jazz soul swing

If this landed

Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.

Lady in Satin

Lady in Satin

Billie Holiday

Shares rich vocal textures and emotional depth, blending jazz with soul influences from the same era.

Wild Is the Wind

Wild Is the Wind

Nina Simone

Combines jazz and soul with a contemporary edge, reflecting personal themes and rich emotional expression.

I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You

I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You

Aretha Franklin

Merges soulful reinterpretation of standards with powerful vocal delivery, echoing the same musical evolution.

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata