He was the youngest of seven children: five boys, Larry (1895-1975), Everett (born 1896), Ted (born 1900), Harry (1903-1977, popularly known as Bing Crosby) and Bob; and two girls, Catherine (born 1905) and Mary Rose (born 1907). His parents were English-American bookkeeper Harry Lowe Crosby (1871-1950) and Irish-American Catherine Harrigan (1873-1964), (affectionately known as Kate), the daughter of a builder from County Mayo in Ireland. His paternal ancestors Thomas Prence and Patience Brewster were born in England and immigrated to the U.S. in the 17th century; Brewster's family came over on the Mayflower.
Bob Crosby started singing with Anson Weeks (1931-34) and the Dorsey Brothers (1934-35). He led his first band in 1935, when the former members of Ben Pollack's band elected him as titular leader. His most famous band, the Bob-Cats, was a Dixieland jazz group with members from the Bob Crosby Orchestra. Both the Bob Crosby Orchestra and the smaller Bob-Cats group specialized in Dixieland jazz, presaging the traditional jazz revival of the 1940s. Crosby's singing voice was remarkably similar to that of his brother Bing, but without its range.
The Bob Crosby Orchestra and the Bob Cats included (at various times) Yank Lawson, Billy Butterfield, Muggsy Spanier, Matty Matlock, Irving Fazola, Ward Silloway, Warren Smith, Eddie Miller, Joe Sullivan, Bob Zurke, Jess Stacy, Nappy Lamare, Bob Haggart, Walt Yoder, Jack Sperling, and Ray Bauduc.
Hits included "Summertime" (theme song), "In a Little Gypsy Tea Room," "Whispers in The Dark," "South Rampart Street Parade," "March of the Bob Cats," "Day In, Day Out," "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby," "Dolores" and "New San Antonio Rose" (last three with Bing Crosby). A remarkable bass and drums duet between Haggart and Bauduc, "Big Noise From Winnetka," became a hit in 1938-39.
Coquette
Bob Crosby Lyrics
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Little coquette, making fun of the one who loves you
Breaking hearts you are ruling
Little coquette, true hearts tenderly dreaming of you.
Someday you'll fall in love as I fell in love with you.
Maybe the one you love will just be fooling too.
And when you are alone with all your regrets,
You know, my little coquette, I love you.
Someday you'll fall in love as I fell in love with you.
Now, maybe the one you love will just be fooling too.
And when you are alone with all your regrets,
Now, you know, my little coquette, I love you.
The lyrics to Bob Crosby's song "Coquette" delve into the theme of unrequited love, and how it feels to love someone who constantly toys with your emotions. The song is addressed to a "little coquette," someone who flirts with others and does not take love seriously. The singer tries to convey the pain and heartbreak that comes with loving someone who does not reciprocate their feelings.
The opening lines of the song "Hear me, why you keep fooling, little coquette, making fun of the one who loves you" are indicative of the singer's frustration with their situation. They question why the person they love keeps playing games with their heart, breaking it into pieces. The imagery of the "true hearts tenderly dreaming of you" is poignant because it conveys the depth of feeling that the singer has towards this coquette, even if they do not deserve it.
Towards the end of the song, the lyrics take a turn towards hopefulness. The singer believes that someday the coquette will fall in love as they did, but also acknowledges the possibility that the person they love might also be "fooling." Regardless of the outcome, the singer declares their love for the coquette and how they will always be there for them, even if they end up alone with regret.
Line by Line Meaning
Hear me, why you keep fooling
Listen to me, why do you continue playing games
Little coquette, making fun of the one who loves you
Teasing and mocking the person who adores you, you little flirt
Breaking hearts you are ruling
You have the power to crush and dominate hearts
Little coquette, true hearts tenderly dreaming of you.
Innocent and true hearts are softly dreaming of you, you little seductress
Someday you'll fall in love as I fell in love with you.
One day, you will experience the same love that I once felt for you
Maybe the one you love will just be fooling too.
Perhaps the person you love will also be pretending, just like you
And when you are alone with all your regrets,
When you are by yourself, contemplating your sorrow
You know, my little coquette, I love you.
Remember, my dear flirt, that I love you.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN WALDO GREEN, GUS KAHN, CARMEN LOMBARDO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
John Whitehead
Love it - thank you
Joe Carbery
The correct title is simply "Coquette", written by Johnny Green, Carmen Lombardo & Gus Kahn in 1928.
William Rogers
Ol' Bob was a real pro but was overshadowed by brother Bing.........big time. He could sing almost as good as Bing too............and thats sayin' sumptin'