Meaning of "Charade" by Blossom Dearie

The lyrics of "Charade" by Blossom Dearie speak to the fleeting nature of relationships, particularly ones built on false pretenses. The metaphor of playing charades represents the facade that the couple put on, acting like lovers but ultimately unable to sustain the illusion. The mention of fate pulling the strings and the music box playing on from the darkened wings suggests a sense of inevitable tragedy and loss. The sadness and longing portrayed in the serenade and the acknowledgment that the love was merely a performance add to the bittersweet nature of the song. Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of nostalgia for a love that was never truly real, highlighting the pain of accepting the end of a relationship based on pretense rather than genuine connection.