Annie Ross (born 1930) is a jazz singer and actress, best known as a member… Read Full Bio ↴Annie Ross (born 1930) is a jazz singer and actress, best known as a member of the trio Lambert, Hendricks & Ross.
Ross is one of the early practitioners of a singing style known as vocalese, which involves the setting of original lyrics to an instrumental jazz solo. Her 1952 treatment of saxophonist Wardell Gray's "Twisted" is a classic example of vocalese. "Twisted" is perhaps her most famous song.
She recorded seven albums with Lambert, Hendricks & Ross between 1957 and 1962. Annie left the group in 1962 and in 1964 opened her own nightclub in London. Annie's Room featured performances by such jazz luminaries as Joe Williams, Stuff Smith, Blossom Dearie, Anita O'Day, Jon Hendricks, and Erroll Garner as well as Annie herself.
Ross is also an accomplished actress and has appeared in a number of films: Superman III (1983), Throw Mama From The Train (1987), Pump Up the Volume (1990), Blue Sky (1994), Short Cuts (1993).

Small World
Annie Ross Lyrics

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Funny, you're a stranger who's come here
Come from another town
Funny, I'm a stranger myself here
Small world, isn't it?

Funny, you're a man who goes traveling
Rather than settling down
Funny, 'cause I'd love to go traveling

Small world, isn't it?

We have so much in common
It's a phenomenon
We could pool our resources
By joining forces from now on

Lucky, you're a man who likes children
That's an important sign
Lucky, I'm a woman with children
Small world, isn't it?
Funny, isn't it small and funny and fine?

We have so much in common
It's a phenomenon
We could pool our resources
By joining forces from now on

Lucky, you're a man who likes children
That's an important sign
Lucky, you're a woman with children

Small world, isn't it? Funny, isn't it
Isn't it small and funny and fine?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Annie Ross's song Small World depict two strangers who have just met but find that they already have so much in common. The refrain of "small world, isn't it?" emphasizes the fact that sometimes life brings unexpected connections and coincidences. The first set of lyrics establishes the initial surprise of encountering a stranger in a new place. However, the repetition of "funny" suggests that the situation is not necessarily negative but more like a curious coincidence. It sets up the idea that while the world may seem vast, the people in it are often more interconnected than we initially believe.

The next set of lyrics reveals that the two strangers share a mutual love for travel - one actively does it, while the other yearns for it. This further highlights the idea of commonality and the ability of two strangers to relate to each other's experiences. When the chorus comes back, the lyrics emphasize the idea of pooling resources and joining forces, which implies the possibility of forming a connection beyond just their initial meeting. Finally, the last set of lyrics bring up the idea of the two having children. This particular detail helps to deepen their connection further by indicating shared values and priorities.

Overall, the lyrics of Small World suggest that despite our differences and individual lives, we often share a lot in common and can connect in unexpected ways.

Line by Line Meaning

Funny, you're a stranger who's come here
It's amusing that you are a stranger who has recently arrived.

Come from another town
You come from a different place.

Funny, I'm a stranger myself here
It's also funny that I'm a stranger in this place.

Small world, isn't it?
It's a small world indeed.

Funny, you're a man who goes traveling
It's amusing that you prefer to travel than settle down.

Rather than settling down
Instead of making a permanent home.

Funny, 'cause I'd love to go traveling
It's funny because I too would love to travel.

We have so much in common
We have many shared interests and similarities.

It's a phenomenon
It's amazing that we have so much in common.

We could pool our resources
We can combine our resources together.

By joining forces from now on
To work together from now on.