Newley had a successful pop music career, with two number one hits in 1960: "Why?" and "Do You Mind?". He won the 1963 Grammy Award for Song of the Year for "What Kind of Fool Am I", but he was also well-known for "Gonna Build a Mountain" and comic novelty songs such as his version of "Strawberry Fair". He wrote songs that others made hits including Goldfinger (the title song of the James Bond movie), and Feeling Good, which became a hit for Nina Simone. With Leslie Bricusse, he wrote the musical Stop the World - I Want to Get Off in which he also performed, earning a nomination for a Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical. His other musicals included The Roar of the Greasepaint—the Smell of the Crowd (1965) and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971), based on the children's book by Roald Dahl. The play was released in a film version in 1971.
Newley's vocal style has been recognised as a major influence on that of David Bowie. In recognition of his creative skills and body of work, Newley was elected to the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1989.
The shortlived 1960 ATV series "The Strange World of Gurney Slade" in which Newley starred, continues to have a cult following due to its postmodern premise that the Newley character is trapped inside a television programme. Apart from a repeat of one episode on Channel 4 in 1992, it has not been seen in the UK in recent years. The show's theme tune by Max Harris may be better-known today than the series itself.
His last feature role in the cast of EastEnders was to be a regular role, but Newley had to withdraw after a few months when his health began to fail.
Do You Mind?
Anthony Newley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Make an idol of you do you mind
If I shower you with kisses
If I tell you honey this is
How I think of heaven do you mind
I want to whisper, whisper sweet nothings in your ear
Nothings that are meant for my love alone to hear
So then
If I say I love you do you mind
Make an idol of you do you mind
If I shower you with kisses
If I tell you honey this is
How I think of heaven do you mind
I want to whisper, whisper sweet nothings in your ear
Nothings that are meant for my love alone to hear
So then
If I say I love you do ya mind baby
Make an idol of you do you mind
If I shower you with kisses
If I tell you honey this is
How I think of heaven do you mind
Do you mind
Do you mind
Honey do you mind
The lyrics of Anthony Newley's "Do You Mind?" can be interpreted as an expression of one's desire to express their love to someone, but with a hesitation and fear of rejection. The singer is questioning whether the object of their affection would object to being told that they are loved and held in high regard. The singer may also fear that their love interest would become an unhealthy obsession, hence the phrase "make an idol of you, do you mind?".
Throughout the song, the singer employs sweet nothings; a time-honored tradition of expressing one's love in a quiet, intimate, and romantic way. The singer desires to profess his love, shower his love interest with kisses and express the joy he gets from simply thinking of them. The last line of the verses serves as a refrain that asks if the confession of love and affection would be reciprocated or rejected, reinforcing the hesitancy hitherto expressed in the lyrics.
Overall, the song is a heartfelt expression of love and passion tempered by fear and uncertainty common to all human relationships. However, the song ultimately encourages people to take a leap of faith and put themselves out there when it comes to expressing their love.
Line by Line Meaning
If I say I love you do you mind
I hope my proclamation of love does not make you uncomfortable or upset.
Make an idol of you do you mind
I intend to hold you in high esteem and cherish you as if you were a priceless treasure. Would you object to that?
If I shower you with kisses
May I show my affection by smothering you with endless kisses?
If I tell you honey this is
May I explain that the way I feel about you is incomparable to anything else on earth?
How I think of heaven do you mind
I consider being with you to be a form of paradise. Would you agree with that statement?
I want to whisper, whisper sweet nothings in your ear
I long to share intimate secrets and endearing words of love with you in a soft and gentle tone.
Nothings that are meant for my love alone to hear
I will speak softly so that only you and I can hear the special messages of love and devotion that I have for you.
Do you mind
May I have your permission to shower you with love and affection?
Honey do you mind
My dearest love, I wish to express my feelings for you. Would you object?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN ONDRASIK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@unironicallyslappingknees
If I say I love you do you mind
Make an idol of you do you mind
If I shower you with kisses
If I tell you honey this is
How I think of heaven do you mind
I want to whisper, whisper sweet nothings in your ear
Nothings that are meant for my love alone to hear
So then
If I say I love you do you mind
Make an idol of you do you mind
If I shower you with kisses
If I tell you honey this is
How I think of heaven do you mind
I want to whisper, whisper sweet nothings in your ear
Nothings that are meant for my love alone to hear
So then
If I say I love you do ya mind baby
Make an idol of you do you mind
If I shower you with kisses
If I tell you honey this is
How I think of heaven do you mind
Do you mind
Do you mind
Honey do you mind
@davidwalsh3439
A wonderful song by one of the best entertainers of his time.
@lesreed9269
Great performer - and a nice guy, too.
@daviddelcarmenaibar7325
Me encantó!!!👏👏👏👍🎵🎶🎼
@rogeralsop3479
Marvellous song!
@josephkane3215
Just one of these songs that you love singing along with
@unironicallyslappingknees
If I say I love you do you mind
Make an idol of you do you mind
If I shower you with kisses
If I tell you honey this is
How I think of heaven do you mind
I want to whisper, whisper sweet nothings in your ear
Nothings that are meant for my love alone to hear
So then
If I say I love you do you mind
Make an idol of you do you mind
If I shower you with kisses
If I tell you honey this is
How I think of heaven do you mind
I want to whisper, whisper sweet nothings in your ear
Nothings that are meant for my love alone to hear
So then
If I say I love you do ya mind baby
Make an idol of you do you mind
If I shower you with kisses
If I tell you honey this is
How I think of heaven do you mind
Do you mind
Do you mind
Honey do you mind
@johncorner9295
Nice song..
@lesreed7943
So handsome - and such a gifted, genuine guy...
@Bonnie1a
Great song
@IrisOriginals
VERY favorite love song. It was "our" song many years ago.