Darin was a very special and talented entertainer. He was a Grammy award winning singer ('Mack The Knife'), a respected member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ('Dream Lover', 'Splish Splash', 'If I Were A Carpenter') a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, a successful record producer, an Oscar nominated actor and a strong supporter of the American Heart Association. Bobby was married to actress Sandra Dee from 1960-1967. They had one son, Dodd, born in December 1961. As a result of complications from a rheumatic heart, Bobby's life was tragically cut short in 1973.
Darin's mother, Vanina Cassotto, had given birth to him when she was 16, and as a result, her parents raised Darin as though he were their son while Vanina was presented off as his elder sister. Darin did not learn the truth about his parentage until he was 32.
For more on Bobby Darin, watch "Beyond the Sea," in which Kevin Spacey portrays the entertainer.
If I Had My Druthers
Bobby Darin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Than anything else I know
While you'd druther hustle, accumulatin' muscle
I'd druther watch daisies grow
While they're growin' slow
And the summer breeze is blowin'
My heart is overflowin' and so
Than anything else I know
Robert, you think you could agree
With that kind of a philosophy?
Agree? I live it
If I had my druthers, I'd druther have my druthers
Than work anywheres at all
Don't nobody call
Huh, it ain't that I hates it
Why, in fact, I even contemplates it
While watchin' raindrops fall
I sits there for hours developin' my powers
Of figurin' how flowers gets tall
If I had my druthers, I'd druther have my druthers
Than anything else at all
If I had my druthers to choose from all the others
I'd druther be like I am
I like you just the way you are
This thing called employment
Detracts from my enjoyment
And tightens my diaphragm
Oh, you poor lamb
Whilst I'm doin' nary
A thing that's necessary
I'm happy as a cherry stone clam
Some of my best friends are clams
If I had my druthers to choose from all the others
I'd druther be like I am
If we had our druthers, we'd rather have our druthers
Than anything else we know
Our forefathers wrote it and often times we quote it
Whenever we're feelin' low
Monsieur John?
As direct descendants we figure independence
Ain't only in Missouri and so if we had our druthers
We'd rather have our druthers than anything else we know
Why sho', huh
Than anything else we know
Yebo', than anything else we know
Enco', than anything else we know
Goodnight, leave a call
"If I Had My Druthers" is a song by Bobby Darin that focuses on the concept of "druthers," which refers to a person's preference or choice. Darin expresses that he would rather have his "druthers" than any other options, even if those options are more conventional or practical. This shows how he values his own personal happiness and freedom above societal norms or expectations. He takes pleasure in the simple things in life, such as watching daisies grow and contemplating the growth of flowers. Darin is content with his life, and he embraces his individuality instead of conforming to what others expect of him.
The lyrics are whimsical and lighthearted, and they convey a sense of joy and carefree living. Darin's style of singing further emphasizes the playfulness of the song. The way he elongates certain syllables and adds inflections to his voice makes the lyrics even more enjoyable to listen to.
Line by Line Meaning
If I had my druthers, I'd druther have my druthers
If I could have anything I want, I would choose to have complete freedom to do what I want
Than anything else I know
I can't think of anything else that would make me happier
While you'd druther hustle, accumulatin' muscle
While you prefer to work hard and build your strength
I'd druther watch daisies grow
I would rather sit and enjoy the peace and beauty of nature
While they're growin' slow
As I watch the flowers grow slowly over time
And the summer breeze is blowin'
In the presence of the gentle summer breeze
My heart is overflowin' and so
My heart is filled with joy and contentment
Agree? I live it
Do I agree? Of course! I live this way already
Than work anywheres at all
I would rather not work anywhere if possible
Don't nobody call
No one is calling me to work, and that's fine with me
Huh, it ain't that I hates it
It's not that I hate working, per se
Why, in fact, I even contemplates it
I have thought about working before
While watchin' raindrops fall
While I enjoy the soothing sound of raindrops falling
I sits there for hours developin' my powers
I spend hours sitting and thinking, developing my ideas and creativity
Of figurin' how flowers gets tall
I think about how nature works and how flowers grow so beautifully
Than anything else at all
I truly can't think of anything I want more than freedom to be myself
If I had my druthers to choose from all the others
If I had to choose, I would choose to be myself
I'd druther be like I am
I like who I am and wouldn't want to change
This thing called employment
Working for someone else to make a living
Detracts from my enjoyment
Takes away from my happiness and fulfillment
And tightens my diaphragm
Creates stress and anxiety in my life
Whilst I'm doin' nary
While I'm not doing much at all
A thing that's necessary
Things that I don't believe are absolutely necessary
I'm happy as a cherry stone clam
I am content and happy with my simple life
Some of my best friends are clams
Being content with what I have is enough for me
Our forefathers wrote it and often times we quote it
We often talk about and reference the writings of our early American pioneers and ancestors
Whenever we're feelin' low
Whenever we're feeling down or discouraged
Ain't only in Missouri and so if we had our druthers
This idea of freedom and independence isn't unique to Missouri; it applies to all of America
We'd rather have our druthers than anything else we know
We would choose freedom and independence above anything else
Than anything else we know
Nothing else compares to the value of personal freedom and independence
Goodnight, leave a call
I'm signing off for the night and please leave me a message if you need to get in touch
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GENE DE PAUL, JOHNNY MERCER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Daniel
on Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home
One heck of a entertainer. A life cut way to soon. RIP Mr. Darin. Remember one thing he was one of the first Emmy winners, in the late 50s. When the emmys started.