The song "Things Are Looking Up" by Billie Holiday is about hope and newfound happiness after experiencing a difficult period in life. The lyrics speak about the narrator's positive outlook on life, which has been brought on by the arrival of love. The song begins with the line "I've been looking the landscape over, and it's covered with four-leaf clover" indicating that the narrator has been searching for something good in their life and has finally found it. The four-leaf clover is a traditional symbol of luck, representing the idea that good things are on the horizon. The chorus, "Oh things are looking up, since love looked up at me" reinforces the idea that love has been the catalyst for this newfound optimism. The narrator declares that they will no longer be a "mourner", indicating that they have come out of a difficult situation or emotional state. The song continues with the lines "Bitter was my cup, but no more will I be the mourner, for I've certainly turned the corner." The imagery of a bitter cup suggests that the narrator has had a hard time in the past, but they have now overcome their troubles and are seeing life in a more positive light. Overall, "Things Are Looking Up" is a song celebrating the arrival of happiness and hope after a difficult period. Love has helped the narrator turn things around, and they are now able to see the potential for good in their life.
