Star of many Paramount musicals. Starred in The Greatest Show on Earth, Annie Get Your Gun and Miracle of Morgans Creek. Her singing career was on the up when unfortunately the RIAA put a stop to all recordings in the early forties. She had just had a number one with "Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief" so this was bad timing for her. Stormed out of her Paramount contract over personal issues in the early 50's and with bad TV choices (Satin and Spurs getting awful reviews) decided to stick to live performing.
Lost her singing voice in the 70's as her private life was in turmoil. Turned to Catholicism after beating alcohol addiction. Returned to Broadway in 1980 as a replacement Miss Hannigan in Annie. Earned a master's degree in psychology from Salve Regina University, where she became friends with Kristin Hersh. Passed away in 2007.
It Had To Be You
Betty Hutton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why must I just give you your way?
Why do I sigh?
Why do I try to forget?
It must have been that something lovers call fate
Kept on saying I had to wait
I saw them all
It had to be you, it had to be you
I wandered around and finally found the somebody who
Could make me be true, could make me feel blue
And even be glad just to be sad thinkin' of you
Some others I've seen might never be mean
Might never be cross or try to be boss, but they wouldn't do
For nobody else gave me a thrill
With all your faults, I love you still
It had to be you, wonderful you, it had to be you
Some others I've seen might never be mean
Might never be cross or try to be boss, but they wouldn't do
For nobody else gave me a thrill
With all your faults, I love you still
It had to be you, wonderful you, it had to be you
The lyrics to Betty Hutton's song "It Had to Be You" exude feelings of love, fate, and devotion. The opening lines shed light on the singer's willingness to submit to her lover's wishes and the constant battle she faces in trying to forget him. However, through the ups and downs, she realizes that fate brought them together and it was only a matter of time before their paths crossed. The lyrics "It must have been that something lovers call fate / Kept on saying I had to wait" convey the idea that some relationships are just meant to be, as if the universe is pushing them towards one another.
Throughout the song, Hutton highlights the unique qualities of her lover. She compares him to other potential suitors she's come across and admits that none have given her the same thrill as him. The lyrics "For nobody else gave me a thrill / With all your faults, I love you still" emphasize the idea that true love comes with accepting another's flaws and loving them unconditionally, faults and all.
Overall, "It Had to Be You" is a classic love song, with a timeless message of fate and unwavering love. Its simple yet emotive lyrics and catchy tune made it an instant hit upon its release in 1944 and continue to make it a popular choice for weddings and romantic occasions to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
Why do I do just as you say?
I comply with your requests because of the love and loyalty I feel towards you.
Why must I just give you your way?
I willingly accommodate your wishes and actions because I acknowledge and respect your authority and importance.
Why do I sigh?
I deeply yearn for a romantic and fulfilling relationship with you, with whom I share an intimate bond.
Why do I try to forget?
I attempt to ignore the lingering thoughts of you that invade my mind, however futile the endeavor may seem.
It must have been that something lovers call fate
Perhaps the concept of fate, something mystical and inexplicable, brought us together and led us to build a relationship.
Kept on saying I had to wait
Despite my impatience and eagerness to find love, fate compelled me to wait until we finally met.
I saw them all
I met and interacted with different people in the past, but none of them captivated my heart as you do.
Just couldn't fall till we met
I could not fully love or be loved until I met you, which made me realize that you were the one for me.
It had to be you, it had to be you
Among all the people in the world, it was your unique and remarkable qualities that made me fall in love with you.
I wandered around and finally found the somebody who
I searched for a long time and encountered various individuals, until I finally met the one person who enamored me.
Could make me be true, could make me feel blue
You are able to bring out my honesty, sincerity, and vulnerability, and even though being with you sometimes makes me sad, I am content and grateful.
And even be glad just to be sad thinkin' of you
I am happy and contented to be with you, even if it means feeling some sadness or discomfort, as long as I am with the one I love.
Some others I've seen might never be mean
I have encountered different people in my life who possess admirable traits, such as kindness and gentleness.
Might never be cross or try to be boss, but they wouldn't do
However, these people cannot fully take your place because they do not possess the unique qualities that only you have that make me love you.
For nobody else gave me a thrill
I have never experienced the excitement and joy of being in love with anyone else like I do with you.
With all your faults, I love you still
Although you have imperfections and flaws like everyone else, I still have a deep and enduring affection for you.
It had to be you, wonderful you, it had to be you
You are a one-of-a-kind, exceptional person, and it was inevitable and perfect that we would come together and fall in love with each other.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Isham Jones, Gus Kahn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Autumn Joy
🎶
Why do I do just as you say?
Why must I just give you your way?
Why do I sigh?
Why do I try to forget?
It must have been that something lovers call fate
Kept on saying I had to wait
I saw them all
Just couldn't fall till we met
It had to be you, it had to be you
I wandered around and finally found the somebody who
Could make me be true, could make me feel blue
And even be glad just to be sad thinkin' of you
Some others I've seen might never be mean
Might never be cross or try to be boss, but they wouldn't do
For nobody else gave me a thrill
With all your faults, I love you still
It had to be you, wonderful you, it had to be you
Some others I've seen might never be mean
Might never be cross or try to be boss, but they wouldn't do
For nobody else gave me a thrill
With all your faults, I love you still
It had to be you, wonderful you, it had to be you
🎶
minralb
Listening to this takes me back to our upstairs apartment during WWII listening to this song over and over as a crowd of GIs making the best of their weekend passes in the roadhouse below kept feeding nickels into the juke box and dancing with the local girls. Except for the war and all the horrible things it caused those were really great days to be alive. I was just a kid but I can still remember those days, the GIs, and the great music they danced to as though it all happened last week..
Autumn Joy
🎶
Why do I do just as you say?
Why must I just give you your way?
Why do I sigh?
Why do I try to forget?
It must have been that something lovers call fate
Kept on saying I had to wait
I saw them all
Just couldn't fall till we met
It had to be you, it had to be you
I wandered around and finally found the somebody who
Could make me be true, could make me feel blue
And even be glad just to be sad thinkin' of you
Some others I've seen might never be mean
Might never be cross or try to be boss, but they wouldn't do
For nobody else gave me a thrill
With all your faults, I love you still
It had to be you, wonderful you, it had to be you
Some others I've seen might never be mean
Might never be cross or try to be boss, but they wouldn't do
For nobody else gave me a thrill
With all your faults, I love you still
It had to be you, wonderful you, it had to be you
🎶
John M
A song many times heard as part of the musical score in films because it's such a wonderful ballad that perfectly fits the scenes when it's played. One song that you never tire hearing it again and again. Betty Hutton does a nice job on this one. Great upload choice!
Sonnyskookoo
This is by far the best version I've heard of this song thank you for posting this there's not enough appreciation for this era anymore.
Dan Elman
This song is timeless.
Ronald Cammarata
Betty Hutten was really a great singer. Such a pretty voice.
rusty beltway
Listening to different versions of It Had to be You today. Didn't know about this mellow Betty Hutton take. I usually think of her doing explosive up-tempo tunes. Very nice.
K C
Betty Hutton had a number of songs that were covered by Dina Shore at the same time. Nothing against Ms. Shore, but Betty should have gotten more support in her singing career. Great comedic actress and talent.
Nina Pecora-Garcia
Best version EVER....not easy to accomplish when Old Blue Eyes and Billie Holiday sing it also.
Larry E
Wow! She does a great job on this song -- such a light, airy treatment. She was more known for fast, loud, almost novelty numbers, but here she's quite the opposite.