It Must Be Him
Vikki Carr Lyrics
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I tell myself don't be a fool
Play the field, have a lot of fun
It's easy when you play it cool
I tell myself don't be a chump
Who cares, let him stay away
That's when the phone rings and I jump
And as I grab the phone I pray
Let it please be him, oh dear God
It must be him, it must be him
Or I shall die
Or I shall die
Oh hello, hello my dear God
It must be him but it's not him
And then I die
That's when I die
After a while, I'm myself again
I pick the pieces off the floor
Put my heart on the shelf again
You'll never hurt me anymore
I'm not a puppet on a string
I'll find somebody else someday
That's when the phone rings, and once again
I start to pray
Let it please be him, oh dear God
It must be him , it must be him
Or I shall die
Or I shall die
Oh hello, hello my dear God
It must be him but it's not him
And then I die
Oh then I die
Let it please be him, oh dear God
It must be him , it must be him
Or I shall die
Or I shall die
Vikki Carr's "It Must Be Him" is a song that speaks to the pain of unrequited love. The lyrics convey a sense of longing for someone unreachable, and the anguish that comes with waiting for them to call. The singer tells herself to move on and not be a fool, but when the phone rings, she can't help but hope that it's the one she's been waiting for. The repetition of the phrase "it must be him" reinforces the desperation of the singer's desire, while the interjections of "oh dear God" add a religious aspect to the song, as if she's praying for some divine intervention to bring him to her.
The lyrics also suggest a pattern of behavior that the singer can't seem to break out of, even though she knows it's hurting her. She picks herself up after each disappointment, putting her heart on the shelf and telling herself she won't be a puppet on a string, but she still keeps hoping for that elusive phone call. The fact that the song ends with her repeating the same lines, "let it please be him, oh dear God," suggests that the cycle will continue, and that the pain of unrequited love will be an ongoing part of her life.
Line by Line Meaning
I tell myself what's done is done
I remind myself that the past is over, and there's no use dwelling on what's already happened.
I tell myself don't be a fool
I remind myself not to act irrationally, especially in matters of the heart.
Play the field, have a lot of fun
I advise myself to date around and enjoy myself without getting too attached.
It's easy when you play it cool
I find that keeping my emotions in check makes it easier to navigate romantic situations.
I tell myself don't be a chump
I remind myself not to be a pushover or let someone take advantage of my feelings.
Who cares, let him stay away
I convince myself that I'm better off without someone who's not interested in me.
That's when the phone rings and I jump
Despite trying to act cool, I can't help but get excited when I receive a call.
And as I grab the phone I pray
I hope and wish that the caller is the person I'm hoping for.
Let it please be him, oh dear God
I plead to a higher power for the call to be from the person I desire.
It must be him, it must be him
It's crucial that the caller is the one I want, or else I'll be disappointed.
Or I shall die
I exaggerate my emotions in order to highlight how important it is for the caller to be who I want them to be.
Oh hello, hello my dear God
If the call is from the person I want, I'll be ecstatic and grateful to a higher power.
It must be him but it's not him
If the caller isn't who I want, my heart sinks and I'm left feeling disappointed.
And then I die
I'm being dramatic, but I feel crushed and heartbroken once I realize the caller isn't who I hoped for.
After a while, I'm myself again
I eventually move on and get back to my usual self after the initial disappointment.
I pick the pieces off the floor
I pick myself back up and start over, even after enduring heartbreak.
Put my heart on the shelf again
I put my emotions on hold and try not to let them rule my life.
You'll never hurt me anymore
I reassure myself that I won't let anyone else cause me pain or heartbreak.
I'm not a puppet on a string
I refuse to let myself be controlled by others or to be at someone else's mercy.
I'll find somebody else someday
I remain optimistic and believe that there's someone else out there for me.
That's when the phone rings, and once again
I feel hopeful and excited once again, despite my previous disappointment.
I start to pray
I hope and pray that the caller is the one I'm hoping for this time around.
Let it please be him, oh dear God
I plead or pray for the caller to be who I want them to be.
It must be him, it must be him
The caller has to be who I'm hoping for this time around.
Or I shall die
I exaggerate my emotions in order to highlight how important it is for the caller to be the person I want.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Gilbert Francois Leopold Becaud, Mack David, Maurice Alfred Marie Vidalin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kimmalizzy
1967. I am 6 years old and my mother, 28, picks me up, twirling us around, singing and dances with me to this song on the radio. She’s 83 now. These songs can spark her memory. Now she sings along more quietly. Sometimes I play music so we get a glimpse of us in 1967.
@ia2025
God bless you and your mother, beautiful memories ❤️
@neilwilliams2409
Wicked❤
@jeanettegriffin2439
I was 5, and my mom and dad had just immigrated with 5 little kids from England.
We did the same thing with my mother before she passed. Bless you!
@mariamercedeslineiro4777
Of course, it's good for you both...😊
@amandacolina2622
My dad is 95 and had written on little pieces of paper some of his favorite songs. This is one of them. He is listening now and enjoying it. I am too. :)
@jennybroad1763
Gosh I was 8 yrs old! I remember this so well. Music has a way to put you straight back into your past. ❤
@DRNEGOLICIS
Now thats a real voice! no computers or garbage like 99% of what you hear today.
@johnzaragoza8576
That's RIGHT!
@larryalbano5921
You are one hundred percent right the garbage songs today are nothing but shit and don’t forget about the wardrobe back in the day it was all about class class and nothing but class