Miller was given a contract with RKO at the age of thirteen (she had told them she was eighteen), and remained there until 1940.
The following year, Miller was offered a contract at Columbia Pictures, where she bumped friend Lucille Ball from the throne as "Queen of the B-Movies". She finally hit her mark (starting in the late 1940s) in her roles in MGM musicals such as Kiss Me, Kate, Easter Parade, and On the Town.
Miller was famed for her speed in tap dancing; she claimed to be able to tap 500 times per minute. She was known as well, especially later in her career, for her distinctive appearance, which reflected a studio-era ideal of glamor: massive black bouffant hair, heavy makeup with a slash of crimson lipstick, and fashions that emphasized her lithe figure and long dancer's legs.
In 2001 she took her last role, playing Coco in auteur director David Lynch's critically acclaimed Mulholland Drive. Her last stage performance was a 1998 production of Stephen Sondheim's Follies, in which she played the hardboiled survivor Carlotta Campion and received rave reviews for her rendition of the anthemic "I'm Still Here."
For her contribution to the motion picture industry, Ann Miller has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6914 Hollywood Blvd.
She died at the age of 80 from lung cancer, and was interred in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.
Always True to You In My Fashion
Ann Miller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why can't you behave
Why can't you behave?
How in hell can you be jealous
When you know, baby, I'm your slave?
I'm just mad for you
And I'll always be
But naturally
If a custom-tailored vet
Asks me out for something wet
When the vet begins to pet, I cry "hooray!"
But I'm always true to you, darlin', in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin', in my way
I enjoy a tender pass
By the boss of Boston, Mass
Though his pass is middle-class and not Backa Bay
But I'm always true to you, darlin', in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin' in my way
There's a madman known as Mack
Who is planning to attack
If his mad attack means a Cadillac, okay!
But I'm always true to to you, darlin', in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin' in my way
I've been asked to have a meal
By a big tycoon in steel
If the meal includes a deal, accept I may
But I'm always true to you, darlin', in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, Darlin' in my way
I could never curl my lip
To a dazzlin' diamond clip
Though the clip meant "Let 'er rip", I'd not say "Nay!"
But I'm always true to to you, darlin, in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin' in my way
There's an oil man known as "Tex"
Who is keen to give me checks
And his checks, I fear, mean that sex is here to stay!
But I'm always true to you, darlin', in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin' in my way
There's a wealthy Hindu priest
Who's a wolf, to say the least
When the priest goes too far East, I also stray
But I'm always true to to you, darlin', in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin'in my way
There's a lush from Portland, Ore
Who is rich but such a bore
When the bore falls on the floor, I let him lay
But I'm always true to to you, darlin', in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin',in my way
Mister Harris, plutocrat
Wants to give my cheek a pat
If the Harris pat means a Paris hat, ok. Oo-la-la!
Mais je suis toujours fidele, darlin', in my fashion
Oui, je suis toujours fidele, darlin', in my way
From Ohio, Mister Thorne
Calls me up from night 'til morn
Mister Thorne once corner'd corn and that ain't hay
But I'm always true to to you, darlin', in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin', in my way
From Milwaukee, Mister Fritz
Often moves me to the Ritz
Mister Fritz is full of Schlitz and full of play
But I'm always true to to you, darlin', in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin', in my way
Mister Gable, I mean Clark
Wants me on his boat to park
If the Gable boat means a sable coat, anchors aweigh!
But I'm always true to to you, darlin', in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin', in my way
Always True To You In My Fashion by Ann Miller is a song that speaks about the singer’s commitment and loyalty to the person she loves. The song is about a woman named Hattie who is approached by various men, including a wealthy Hindu priest, an oil man, a boss from Boston, a custom-tailored vet, a madman known as Mack, and several other rich and famous men who taunt her with luxuries, gifts, and even sex. However, she affirms to her lover, Bill, that she may interact with these men and even accept their offerings, but she remains true and loyal to him.
The lyrics of this song are in a storytelling format, which Hattie shares with her lover all the attention she receives from various wealthy and famous men. While these men seem to possess everything that could benefit her, Hattie is clear that even when she says "yes" to their offerings, she remains faithful to Bill. Hence, in this song, she is trying to assure Bill that despite the attention she is receiving from other men, she remains committed to him and will always love him in her way.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, Bill
The song is addressed to Bill
Why can't you behave
Why can't you stop being jealous?
Why can't you behave?
Why can't you behave like a confident man?
How in hell can you be jealous
How can you be jealous when I am so devoted to you?
When you know, baby, I'm your slave?
When you know I am so in love with you?
I'm just mad for you
I am crazy about you
And I'll always be
I will always be mad for you
If a custom-tailored vet
If a well-dressed veteren
Asks me out for something wet
Asks me out for a drink
When the vet begins to pet, I cry "hooray!"
When he begins to touch me, I am excited
But I'm always true to you, darlin', in my fashion
But I will always be faithful to you, darling, according to my own fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin', in my way
I'm always true to you, darling, in my own unique way
I enjoy a tender pass
I enjoy when someone makes a gentle move on me
By the boss of Boston, Mass
By the leader of a successful company in Boston, Massachusetts
Though his pass is middle-class and not Backa Bay
Although he is not wealthy like Backa Bay elites
There's a madman known as Mack
There is a known madman named Mack
Who is planning to attack
Who is planning to do something crazy
If his mad attack means a Cadillac, okay!
If his madness results in a fancy car, then that's fine!
I've been asked to have a meal
Someone has asked me out to eat
By a big tycoon in steel
By a wealthy person in the steel industry
If the meal includes a deal, accept I may
If they offer me a business deal along with the meal, I may accept
I could never curl my lip
I could never show disapproval on my face
To a dazzlin' diamond clip
To a stunning diamond piece of jewelry
Though the clip meant "Let 'er rip", I'd not say "Nay!"
Even if the diamond meant you should misbehave, I wouldn't say no.
There's an oil man known as "Tex"
There is a wealthy man known as 'Tex' in the oil industry
Who is keen to give me checks
Who wants to give me money
And his checks, I fear, mean that sex is here to stay!
I'm scared that accepting his money would mean he expects sex in return
There's a wealthy Hindu priest
There is a rich Hindu priest
Who's a wolf, to say the least
Who behaves badly, if not worse
When the priest goes too far East, I also stray
If he travels too far away, I will be unfaithful too
There's a lush from Portland, Ore
There is a wealthy person from Portland, Oregon
Who is rich but such a bore
Who has a lot of money but is incredibly boring
When the bore falls on the floor, I let him lay
If he passes out, I leave him on the floor
Mister Harris, plutocrat
Mister Harris of the wealthy class
Wants to give my cheek a pat
Wants to touch my cheek
If the Harris pat means a Paris hat, ok. Oo-la-la!
If his touch means I get a fancy hat, I'm okay with it
Mais je suis toujours fidele, darlin', in my fashion
But I am always faithful in my own way, darling (in French)
Oui, je suis toujours fidele, darlin', in my way
Yes, I am always faithful, darling; but in my own unique way (in French)
From Ohio, Mister Thorne
A man named Mister Thorne from Ohio
Calls me up from night 'til morn
Calls me all night long
Mister Thorne once corner'd corn and that ain't hay
Mister Thorne was once a successful businessman in the corn industry
From Milwaukee, Mister Fritz
A man named Mister Fritz from Milwaukee
Often moves me to the Ritz
Often brings me to the Ritz hotel
Mister Fritz is full of Schlitz and full of play
Mister Fritz likes to drink Schlitz beer and have fun
Mister Gable, I mean Clark
A wealthy man named Clark Gable
Wants me on his boat to park
Wants me to come hang out on his boat
If the Gable boat means a sable coat, anchors aweigh!
If hanging out on his boat gets me a fancy fur coat, let's go! (anchors aweigh is a maritime expression)
But I'm always true to you, darlin', in my fashion
But I will always be faithful to you, darling, according to my own fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin', in my way
I'm always true to you, darling, in my own unique way
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: COLE PORTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@luisleigh
Why can't you behave?
Oh, why can't you behave?
Tell me how can you be jealous
When you know, baby, I'm your slave?
I'm just mad for you and I'll always be
But naturally
When a custom tailored vet
Asked me out for something wet
When the vet begins to pet
I shout "Hooray!"
But I'm always true to you, Darlin'
In my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, Darlin'
In my way
There's a lush from Baltimore
Who is rich but such a bore
When the bore falls on the floor
I let him lay
But I'm always true to you, Darlin'
In my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, Darlin'
In my way
What about that Mr.Thorne?
Calls you up from night 'til morn?
Mr. Thorne once cornered corn
And that ain't hay! Aha!
But I'm always true to you, Darlin'
In my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, Darlin'
In my way
So you're out with Mr. Fritz
You were dining at the Ritz!
Mr. Fritz invented schlitz
And schlitz must pay!
But I'm always true to you, Darlin'
In my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, Darlin'
In my way
I could never curl my lip
At a dazzlin' diamond clip
S'pose the clip means,"Let 'er rip!"
I'd not say "Nay", ya I know
Oh, you were always true to you, Darlin'
In my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, Darlin'
In my way
Mister Harris, plutocrat
Wants to give your cheek a pat
If the Harris pat means a Paris hat
Baby, ooh la la
Mais je suis toujour fidèle, Darlin'
In my fashion
Oui, je suis toujour fidèle, Darlin'
In my way
Mr. Gable! You mean Clark?
Wants me on his boat to park
If the Gable boat, means a sable coat
I know! Anchors away!
But I'm always true to you, Darlin'
In my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, Darlin'
In my way
@TheWaterfallprincess
Ann Miller the triple threat ..great dancer, singer and actress... she was a pure natural talent..a gem in the MGM cannon of stars..
@nallo69
Darren Curtis-Small one of many gems recruited by the MGM on those years. Mr. Meyer was a master
@rogerpropes7129
A few inches shorter and she would have been a major star--too tall to dance with men.
@davidallen508
Roger , Cyd Charisse would have been the same height yet they gave her leading roles,even though she couldn’t sing and had nothing like
the personality of Ann Miller who lit up the screen and often outshone the leading players in her films,even “Easter Parade” (IMHO).
@brucer9572
Don't tell me about tall women!
I love 'em!
And I could tell you stories (most of which aren't true).
@foad4067
And a beauty
@ssimmons0602
Why did Tommy Rall never become a bigger star? Great voice, great dancer...and not bad-looking at all.
@GiftSparks
I totally agree. I just surf YouTube trying to find his videos.
@AHouseDivided1998
ssimmons0602 Agree and he’s still alive! Turns 90 this December.
@taylordowning2533
Him and Ann Miller should have been bigger stars