Ethel Merman (January 16, 1908 – February 15, 1984) was an American actress… Read Full Bio ↴Ethel Merman (January 16, 1908 – February 15, 1984) was an American actress and singer. Known primarily for her belting voice and roles in musical theatre, she has been called "the undisputed First Lady of the musical comedy stage." Among the many standards introduced by Merman in Broadway musicals are "I Got Rhythm", "Everything's Coming Up Roses", "Some People", "Rose's Turn", "I Get a Kick Out of You", "It's De-Lovely", "Friendship", "You're the Top", "Anything Goes", and "There's No Business Like Show Business", which later became her theme song.
Ethel Agnes Zimmerman was born in the third floor bedroom of her grandmother's house at 359 4th Avenue in Astoria, Queens. Growing up near Famous Players-Lasky's Astoria Studios, young Ethel often watched the silent movie stars drive by in their massive cars, and she dreamed of joining their ranks one day. Her powerful voice won attention when her family worshipped at Holy Redeemer Episcopal Church, and she began making local concert appearances. She also frequently attended vaudeville performances at The Palace Theater in Manhattan, watching great stars like Fanny Brice and Sophie Tucker.
Ethel's parents Edward (an accountant) and Agnes (a school teacher) understood Ethel's love of singing, but they did not see show business as a reliable career choice for a woman. They insisted that she get a solid education with thorough training in secretarial skills, so she would have something to fall back on if her dreams of stardom didn't pan out. After Ethel graduating William Cullen Bryant High School, she earned a respectable $28 a week as a stenographer for the owner of a local factory. She picked up extra money by singing at private parties and in night clubs. Ethel was so efficient that her indulgent boss (who only came in two days a week) overlooked her taking nap breaks at the office after late night performances. When Ethel's gigs multiplied, her parents accepted the inevitable and allowed her to give up the day job and sing full-time.
Ethel Agnes Zimmerman was born in the third floor bedroom of her grandmother's house at 359 4th Avenue in Astoria, Queens. Growing up near Famous Players-Lasky's Astoria Studios, young Ethel often watched the silent movie stars drive by in their massive cars, and she dreamed of joining their ranks one day. Her powerful voice won attention when her family worshipped at Holy Redeemer Episcopal Church, and she began making local concert appearances. She also frequently attended vaudeville performances at The Palace Theater in Manhattan, watching great stars like Fanny Brice and Sophie Tucker.
Ethel's parents Edward (an accountant) and Agnes (a school teacher) understood Ethel's love of singing, but they did not see show business as a reliable career choice for a woman. They insisted that she get a solid education with thorough training in secretarial skills, so she would have something to fall back on if her dreams of stardom didn't pan out. After Ethel graduating William Cullen Bryant High School, she earned a respectable $28 a week as a stenographer for the owner of a local factory. She picked up extra money by singing at private parties and in night clubs. Ethel was so efficient that her indulgent boss (who only came in two days a week) overlooked her taking nap breaks at the office after late night performances. When Ethel's gigs multiplied, her parents accepted the inevitable and allowed her to give up the day job and sing full-time.
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24 Classic Songs
Ethel Merman Lyrics
A Lady Needs A Change Just one brand new man to love me Makes a brand…
An Earful of Music There is a ??? In my ears And it's awful nice…
Anything You Can Do Anything you can do, I can do better than You…
I Get a Kick out of You My story is much too sad to be told But practically…
I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues I got a right to sing the blues I got a…
I'll Pay The Check I'll pay the check Without complaining I'll pay the check I'…
I'm An Indian Too Like the Seminole, Navajo, Kickapoo Like those Indians I'm a…
I've Still Got My Health I'm always a flop at a top-notch affair, But I've still…
It's De-Lovely The night is young, the skies are clear So if…
Let's Be Buddies I get awful gloomy You mean, very gloomy Very gloomy, now an…
Make It Another Old Fashioned Please Since I went on the wagon, I'm certain drink is…
Moonshine Lullaby Behind the hill There's a busy little still Where your Pappy…
Ridin' High Life's great, life's grand, Future all planned, No more clou…
This Is It Something must have happened To my heart just now Suddenly m…
You Can't Get a Man with a Gun Oh, my mother was frightened by a shotgun, they say That's…
You're A Builder Upper When you want to You are able to make me feel…
You're the Top At words poetic, I'm so pathetic That I always have…