Ann-Margret started recording for RCA in 1961, but her recording career was not as successful as her concurrent movie career. She had a sexy, throaty singing voice comparable to Eartha Kitt or Nancy Sinatra, and RCA attempted to capitalize on her "Female Elvis" comparison by her recording a version of Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel" and other songs stylistically similar to Presley. She scored one minor hit, "I Just Don't Understand" (which entered the Billboard Top 40 in the third week of August 1961 and stayed 6 weeks, peaking at #17.) Her only charting album is The Beauty and the Beard (1964), on which she was accompanied by trumpeter Al Hirt. The contract with RCA ended in 1966.
Years later, she returned to music at the end of Disco era. Her 1980 album, "Ann-Margret" became a success with both singles, "Midnight Message" and "Love Rush" reaching the Top 10 of the Hot Dance Club Songs chart. In the early 1980s, the album was followed up with the single, "Everybody Needs Somebody Sometimes" and the B-Side "Hold Me/Squeeze Me." Ann Margret has continued to record music sporatically since then.
[edit]Film career
In 1961 she also made her film début for in Pocketful of Miracles, starring Bette Davis, Glenn Ford, and Hope Lange, a remake of the Oscar-winning 1933 film Lady for a Day; both versions were directed by the great Frank Capra. She followed that role with the successful remake of Rodgers' and Hammerstein's musical State Fair in 1962. Her next starring role, as the all-American teenager in Bye Bye Birdie, made her a major star. When she filmed Viva Las Vegas with Elvis Presley the two began an affair that received considerable attention from the gossip columnists in various media. The reports led to a showdown with a very worried Priscilla Beaulieu, which she recounts in her 1985 book, Elvis and Me, including Ann-Margret's attempt to "cut her off at the pass" with a press announcement that Ann-Margret and Elvis were engaged to be married. Although he ended the affair, Presley remained a friend and continued to send her flowers at the opening of each of her stage appearances until he died. Of all the Hollywood starlets he had worked with or had a relationship with, Ann-Margret was the only one to attend his funeral.
In 1963, Ann-Margret was featured and guest-starred, in animated form, in an episode of Hanna-Barbera's The Flintstones as "Ann-Margrock." Decades later, she recorded the theme song to the live-action film The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas in character as Ann-Margrock. The song she recorded was a modified version of the "Viva Las Vegas" theme.\
In March 1966, Ann-Margret and entertainers Chuck Day and Mickey Jones teamed up for a USO tour to entertain U.S. servicemen in remote parts of Vietnam and other parts of Southeast Asia. She still has great affection for the veterans and refers to them as "my gentlemen". [1] Ann-Margret, Day and Jones reunited for an encore of this tour for veterans and troops at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada in November 2005. [2]
In 1971, she starred in Mike Nichols's Carnal Knowledge, marking a change from her sex-kitten musical roles, garnering a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. The following year, while performing at Lake Tahoe, Nevada, she fell 22 feet from the stage and suffered injuries that put her out of commission for several months. Throughout the 1970s, Ann-Margret balanced her live performances with a string of critically acclaimed dramatic film performances that played against her glamorous image, including Tommy in 1975, for which she was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress. In addition, she has been nominated for ten Golden Globe Awards, winning five times including Best Actress for Tommy. She also did a string of successful TV specials, starting with The Ann-Margret Show for NBC in 1968. Now in her mid-60s, she continues to act in movies.
In 1994, she published an autobiography titled Ann Margret: My Story (ISBN 0-399-13891-9). She has been married to actor Roger Smith since 1967. Smith suffers from myasthenia gravis, and Ann-Margret has devoted much of her life to caring for him.
In 2001 Ann-Margret made her first appearance in a stage musical, playing the character of Mona Stangley in a new touring production of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
She has also filmed the movie "Mem-o-re", where she stars with Billy Zane and Dennis Hopper.
A Lot Of Livin' To Do
Ann-Margret Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I mean to kiss me a few!
Man those chicks don't know what they're missin'
I got a lot of living to do!
Sizzlin' steaks all ready for tastin'
And there's Cadillacs all shiny and new!
Gotta move, cause time is a-wastin'
There's music to play
Places to go, people to see!
Everything for you and me!
Life's a ball
If only you know it
And it's all just waiting for you
You're alive
So come on and show it
Yeah we got a lot of livin' to do
There are men with childhood behind them
Handsome men
From Yale or Purdue
Older men and I'm gonna find them
I got a lot of living to do
I'm a'gonna have fun
Gonna be wild
Have my own way
I may break a heart today
Drink champagne
As if it were water
Pink champagne
And after a few
Daddy dear, you won't know your daughter
She's got a lot of living to do
Think I'll be a ring a ding drummer
Make each week a thousand or two
Gorgeous girls will beg for my number
Hey I've got a lot of living to do
Yes I'm gonna break out
Gonna take off
Gonna be free
This town is awfully square for a guy like me
Or I'll be a super jet pilot
Fly me high way out in the blue
Then they'll see
I'm no shrinking violet
Hey I got a lot of living to do
There's music to play
Places to go, people to see!
Everything for you and me!
Life's a ball
If only you know it
And it's all just waiting for you
You're alive
So come on and show it
Yeah we got a lot of livin'
Such a lot of livin'
Tonight's the night we're gonna fly
Let's kick this hick town in the hide
I want a taste of everything
Let's live it up and really swing
Got a lot of living living living living livnig to do
Live!
The lyrics of Ann-Margret's "A Lot Of Livin' To Do" carry a message of exuberance, a call to live life to the fullest, and take advantage of all the opportunities and experiences that come one's way. The song is a fun and upbeat celebration of all that life has to offer, from love and adventure to music and champagne. The lyrics urge the listener to be brave, bold, and uninhibited, and to embrace every moment as an opportunity to be alive.
The first verse captures the spirit of the song perfectly. The singer is excited about the prospect of kissing some "ripe" chicks, relishing the opportunity to experience the passion and thrill of a budding romance. The chorus reminds us that there is much more to life than just romance, as there are many things to see, do, and experience.
The second verse takes things up a notch, as the singer pledges to have even more fun and live life on their own terms. They are determined to have a wild time, even if it means breaking some hearts along the way. The reference to pink champagne is a nod to the luxurious lifestyle that the singer has in mind for themselves, and the final verse suggests that they are not content to stay put in one place, but are eager to travel and explore the world.
Overall, the message of "A Lot Of Livin' To Do" is simple but powerful: life is short, so make the most of it. The lyrics urge us to be bold, adventurous, and take risks. The song is a testament to the enduring appeal of the rock 'n' roll lifestyle, and has remained popular with audiences for generations.
Line by Line Meaning
There are chicks just ripe for some kissin'
There are attractive women I want to kiss.
And I mean to kiss me a few!
I plan to take advantage of the opportunities to kiss these women.
Man those chicks don't know what they're missin'
These women are missing out on the chance to be with me.
I got a lot of living to do!
I have so much to experience and enjoy in life.
Sizzlin' steaks all ready for tastin'
There are delicious meals just waiting to be eaten.
And there's Cadillacs all shiny and new!
Brand new luxury cars are available to be driven.
Gotta move, cause time is a-wastin'
I need to act quickly to make the most of life's opportunities.
There's music to play
Music is waiting to be performed.
Places to go, people to see!
There are endless places to visit and people to meet.
Everything for you and me!
So much is available for us to enjoy.
Life's a ball
Life is enjoyable and exciting.
If only you know it
All it takes is perspective to see the beauty in life.
And it's all just waiting for you
There are endless opportunities waiting for you to seize.
You're alive
Being alive is a blessing.
So come on and show it
Live life to the fullest and let your light shine.
There are men with childhood behind them
There are older, more experienced men out there.
Handsome men
Some of these men are also attractive.
From Yale or Purdue
Some of these men have prestigious backgrounds.
Older men and I'm gonna find them
I plan to find and be with some of these older men.
I'm a'gonna have fun
I'm going to enjoy my life.
Gonna be wild
I plan to live an exciting, adventurous life.
Have my own way
I will make my own choices and live life on my own terms.
I may break a heart today
I realize my actions may hurt others, but I still plan to live my life to the fullest.
Drink champagne
I plan to indulge in luxurious drinks like champagne.
As if it were water
I plan to drink champagne in excess, as if it were water.
Pink champagne
I plan to drink high-quality champagne.
And after a few
After drinking enough, I'll be unpredictable.
Daddy dear, you won't know your daughter
My behavior may shock my family and those close to me.
She's got a lot of living to do
I won't let anything hold me back from experiencing everything life has to offer.
Think I'll be a ring a ding drummer
I might pursue a career as a swing musician.
Make each week a thousand or two
I aspire to make a lot of money in my pursuits.
Gorgeous girls will beg for my number
I imagine I'll be very popular with women.
Hey I've got a lot of living to do
I don't let anything hold me back from pursuing my passions.
Yes I'm gonna break out
I will break free from the constraints of society and expectations.
Gonna take off
I am going to leave my current life behind and start anew.
Gonna be free
I won't let anything hold me back from living life on my own terms.
This town is awfully square for a guy like me
I don't feel like I fit in with the norms of society.
Or I'll be a super jet pilot
I might pursue a career as a pilot, flying high in the sky.
Fly me high way out in the blue
I want to fly to far-off and exotic places.
Then they'll see
Others will finally see me for the person I truly am.
I'm no shrinking violet
I am strong and unafraid to live life boldly.
Yeah I got a lot of living to do
I plan to experience everything life has to offer.
Tonight's the night we're gonna fly
Tonight is the night that we will soar and pursue our passions.
Let's kick this hick town in the hide
Let's leave behind our boring, mundane lives in this small town.
I want a taste of everything
I want to experience all the joys and pleasures life has to offer.
Let's live it up and really swing
Let's live life to the fullest, embracing spontaneity and adventure.
Got a lot of living living living living livnig to do
I am determined to live life to the fullest and won't let anything get in my way.
Live!
This is a call to action to truly live and enjoy every moment of life.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Charles Strouse, Lee Adams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
VILJL
Bobby Rydell, the epitome of the early ‘60s “teen idol,” who parlayed that fame into a starring role opposite Ann-Margret in the 1963 film “Bye Bye Birdie,” died Tuesday April 5, 2022 at age 79. The cause of death was pneumonia.
His death just days away from his 80th birthday (April 26, 2022) was confirmed by radio legend Jerry Blavat, Rydell’s longtime friend from the singer’s South Philadelphia stomping grounds.
Bobby Rydell had 34 singles chart on the Billboard Hot 100, the most well-remembered of which include “Wild One,” which reached No. 2, and “Volare,” a No. 4 hit. Other top 10 songs included “Swingin’ School,” “The Cha-Cha-Cha.” His run of top 10 songs began with “We Got Love,” which reached No. 6 in 1959, and ended with “Forget Him” in 1964.
Joeh1154
I can't get enough of this scene. It's always a killer on so many levels. So much talent packed into one really cool dance scene. Ann and Bobby nail it. All this plus Paul Lynde, Dick Van Dyke and Ed Sullivan? You betcha.
stickstr8up1
imo...This is actually one of the best filmed musical numbers in movie history. The choreography is complex; the cinematography and camera pans are extremely challenging for the limited studio space they were confined to; the orchestration builds in its intensity; and the staging is almost mathematical in its precision. (And, of course, having Ann-Margaret in tight hot pink pants certainly doesn't hurt!)
Arthur Harrison
You're right on all accounts. This is pure cinematic magnificence.
TheSpiralnotebook
the constantly shifting tempo and style, building and stirring energy,, well--- thats a lotta work to do. Excellence!
Der Unbekannte
See the song and dance for chop Suey in flower drum song
Eugene Smith
The choreography is very good. The song, however, has not held up well over time and is far inferior to the dancing (and Ann Margret).
Jan Tonnesen
@Eugene Smith ,
West Side Story is pretty good too ...
Maximus Grandis
I'm no musical fan, but this is an incredible one take. And Ann-Margret...just wow.
Living Example
Me too. Not really into it, just stumbled upon it but damn! I am a big fan of the long take and this is just incredible. A whole lot of talent and stamina there. Bravo, say I.
Tina20
I love this choreography. Ann Margaret was fantastic and Bobby Rydell who is really a singer, danced great! Who ever staged it made sure the colors of the costumes looked perfect from a distance with Ann Margaret's hot pink the focus. Great number!