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.
Only One Little Item
Bobby Darin Lyrics
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And suddenly there isn't a sound
'Cause she just walked in with her funny little grin
Now there's nobody else around
She's everything I told you
And much more as well
There's only one little item
She's everything I ever wanted
Everything I'll ever need
There's only one little item
To which I must conceive
When she nears me, how she cheers me
Her eyes, so warm and so gay
But what can all this matter to me
Those eyes aren't looking my way
She's everything I told you
I swear by stars above
There's only one little item
I'm not the guy she wants
These lyrics depict the singer's infatuation with a woman in a crowded room. He describes how everything else fades away when she enters with her "funny little grin." He goes on to state that she is everything he ever wanted and needed, except for one little detail - she is not interested in him. The woman's presence brings joy to him, but he realizes that her eyes are not looking his way, indicating that she has her sights set on someone else.
The lyrics reflect the common theme of unrequited love or one-sided attraction. It is evident that the singer has strong feelings for the woman, but he is coming to terms with the fact that she does not feel the same way. The song captures the moment of realization when the singer must accept the painful truth that he is not the person who can capture the woman's heart.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm here in a crowd, so noisy and loud
Bobby is in a loud and boisterous environment
And suddenly there isn't a sound
When she enters, the whole environment becomes silent
'Cause she just walked in with her funny little grin
She walks in with a peculiar yet captivating smile on her face
Now there's nobody else around
Bobby feels like he is alone with her in the midst of the crowd
She's everything I told you
She has all the qualities Bobby highlighted to everyone
And much more as well
But she also has other amazing qualities
There's only one little item
There is only one tiny detail
That I forget to tell
That Bobby forgot to mention to everyone
She's everything I ever wanted
She matches every characteristic that Bobby desired
Everything I'll ever need
She has everything that Bobby will ever require in a partner
To which I must conceive
But there is one thing that Bobby has to admit
When she nears me, how she cheers me
Bobby feels elated when she is around him
Her eyes, so warm and so gay
Her eyes are bright and cheerful
But what can all this matter to me
All of her charm and beauty are meaningless to Bobby
Those eyes aren't looking my way
Because her attention is not focused on Bobby
I swear by stars above
Bobby is making a solemn promise
I'm not the guy she wants
But unfortunately, Bobby is not the man that she desires
Contributed by Evan Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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.