I Just Wasn't Made For These Times
Carmen McRae · Other Songs - Carmen McRae
Where I can speak my mind
I've been trying hard to find the people
That I won't leave behind
They say I got brains
But they ain't doing me no good
I wish they could
Each time things start to happen again
I think I got something good goin' for myself
But what goes wrong
Sometimes I feel very sad
Sometimes I feel very sad
(Can't find nothin' I can put my heart and soul into)
Sometimes I feel very sad
(Can't find nothin' I can put my heart and soul into)
I guess I just wasn't made for these times
Every time I get the inspiration
To go change things around
No one wants to help me look for places
Where new things might be found
Where can I turn when my fair weather friends cop out
What's it all about
Each time things start to happen again
I think I got something good goin' for myself
But what goes wrong
Sometimes I feel very sad
Sometimes I feel very sad
(Can't find nothin' I can put my heart and soul into)
Sometimes I feel very sad
(Can't find nothin' I can put my heart and soul into)
I guess I just wasn't made for these times
I guess I just wasn't made for these times
I guess I just wasn't made for these times
I guess I just wasn't made for these times
I guess I just wasn't made for these times
I guess I just wasn't made for these times
I guess I just wasn't made for these times
I guess I just wasn't made for these times
I guess I just wasn't made for these times
I Just Wasn't Made For These Times
Carmen McRae's 1961 recording of 'I Just Wasn't Made For These Times' stands as a definitive example of hard bop and vocal jazz. The track features McRae's signature raw, emotive delivery, characterized by her distinctive vibrato and a vocal style that often blends singing with spoken-word passages. This recording showcases her ability to convey deep personal anguish and existential frustration, themes central to the song's narrative about feeling alienated by societal pressures. Released during a pivotal era for jazz, the track exemplifies the genre's shift toward more complex harmonies and rhythmic drive, moving away from the smooth swing of the late 1950s. McRae's performance remains a cornerstone of her discography, celebrated for its unpolished, authentic power and its enduring influence on vocal jazz. The song captures a specific moment of disillusionment, delivered with a intensity that has made it a staple in jazz repertoires for decades.