Among films and stage productions, she appeared in No, No, Nanette in 1925 at the Palace Theatre, London. Her recording of the song "Spread A Little Happiness" from the 1928 musical Mr. Cinders is possibly her best remembered work, and the rock musician Sting took a cover version of the song to number 16 in the UK Singles Chart 54 years later for the movie Brimstone and Treacle.
As Time Goes By
Binnie Hale Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gives cause for apprehension
With speed and new invention
And things like third dimension
Yet we get a trifle weary
With Mister Einstein's theory
So we must get down to earth
No matter what the progress
Or what may yet be proved
The simple facts of life are such
They cannot be removed
You must remember this
A kiss is still a kiss
A sigh is just a sigh
The fundamental things apply
As time goes by
And when two lovers woo
They still say "I love you"
On that you can rely
No matter what the future brings
As time goes by
Moonlight and love songs never out of date
Hearts full of passion, jealousy and hate
Woman needs man and man must have his mate
That no one can deny
It's still the same old story
A fight for love and glory
A case of do or die
The world will always welcome lovers
As time goes by
Binnie Hale's song As Time Goes By was originally written by Herman Hupfeld during the early 1930s. As one might imagine from the time period, the song is about the passing of time and how things change, but some of the core aspects of life remain the same. The lyrics begin by acknowledging the current state of the world and how technology and scientific developments may lead to apprehension. One might interpret this line as a fear of losing the fundamental aspects of what makes humans human in the face of rapid change. However, the chorus reminds us that despite technological advancements and the passing of time, some things remain constant. The simple facts of life, such as a kiss or a sigh, cannot be removed.
As the song continues, it becomes clear that the focus is on love and relationships. The lines "when two lovers woo, they still say 'I love you'" and "woman needs man and man must have his mate" illustrate that despite everything going on around us, humans still crave connection with others. The following line "that no one can deny" emphasizes that regardless of what is going on, it is hard to argue with the desire for love.
The final lines of the song, "it's still the same old story/a fight for love and glory/a case of do or die/the world will always welcome lovers/as time goes by" seem to suggest that while the world and technology may change, the desire for love and connection remain constant, and the world will always welcome those who seek it out as time goes on.
Line by Line Meaning
This day and age we're living in
The current time we exist in
Gives cause for apprehension
Causes concern and worry
With speed and new invention
Advancements in technology and rapid progress
And things like third dimension
The introduction of three-dimensional space and time
Yet we get a trifle weary
Nonetheless, we become a bit tired
With Mister Einstein's theory
Regarding Albert Einstein's theory of relativity
So we must get down to earth
We need to refocus and attend to practical matters
At times relax, relieve the tension
Occasionally, we need to unwind and decrease stress levels
No matter what the progress
Despite technological and societal advancements
Or what may yet be proved
Or whatever new theories or discoveries may come to light
The simple facts of life are such
Basic elements of living are unchanging
They cannot be removed
They cannot be taken away or eliminated
You must remember this
It is imperative to recall
A kiss is still a kiss
Kissing remains an act of displaying affection
A sigh is just a sigh
Sighing serves as a way to express emotions
The fundamental things apply
Essential components remain relevant
As time goes by
As we progress through history
And when two lovers woo
When two individuals court each other lovingly
They still say "I love you"
They continue to express their declaration of love
On that you can rely
That is something you can trust and depend on
No matter what the future brings
Regardless of what the future holds
As time goes by
Throughout the passage of time
Moonlight and love songs never out of date
Musical love expressions stand the test of time
Hearts full of passion, jealousy, and hate
Emotions of ardor, envy, and hostility are still present
Woman needs man and man must have his mate
Women and men have a natural inclination for companionship
That no one can deny
It is an undeniable truth
It's still the same old story
It is a familiar, classic tale
A fight for love and glory
A struggle for romantic devotion and fame
A case of do or die
A situation of extreme importance and urgency
The world will always welcome lovers
The world will continue to warmly receive and embrace couples
As time goes by
Over time
Contributed by Aria O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jadalei1
My grandmother used to sing to us in this style. makes me happy.
@Supremesfan1
Binnie Hale was one of my favorite singers back in the 1930's. She sang like no one else. I have lots of 78rpm records of her.
@barrywilliams8324
Im listening to this 2023 brilliant!
@suzywilliams244
Love her delicate, expressive voice.
@ivan92093
80 yeas has passed, and people are still listening to this song. And I assure you that in 80+ years people will still be listening to this song and get something out of like I have. Whose gonna listen to Justin beaver or lady gaga 80 years from now? Prolly no one.
@user-id6ke6xz9n
What a beautiful voice.
@Bfdidc
I like the verse in there about: "The day and age we're living in gives cause for apprehension, with speed the new invention, and things like third dimensions..." It gives a real sense of the time, when speed, breakthroughs in science, depression and the birth of the modern had people apprehensive and yearning to remember the "fundamental things in life." I haven't heard that verse in other versions of this song.
@Boldorion1958
The verse is also included in the version by Rudy Vallee & His Connecticut Yankees. Similar thoughts were expressed in songs like "The Little Things in Life," a hit for several acts in 1930.
@suzanneglenn5954
I must be the nostalgia queen...lol...love this music..
@1MRTS
1932 the year my dad was born in Greece. He used to tell me stories when he was 8 the hardship he had to go through asking people in the street for some bread to bring home to feed his brothers and sisters. He migrated here to Australia in 1950s.
And today I see so many people lining up at the unemployment offices after the shutdowns across the country as a result of the global pandemic