McRae was born in Harlem, New York, on the 8th April 1920, and studied piano as a child. As a teenager she came to the attention of Teddy Wilson and his wife, the composer Irene Kitchings Wilson. Through their influence, one of McRae’s early songs, "Dream of Life", was recorded by Wilson’s longtime collaborator Billie Holiday.
By the late 1940s she was well known among the modern jazz musicians who gathered at Minton's Playhouse, Harlem’s most famous jazz club, where she was the intermission pianist. But it was while working in Brooklyn that she came to the attention of Decca’s Milt Gabler. Her five year association with Decca yielded twelve LPs.
The musicians she sang with include Benny Carter, Mercer Ellington, Count Basie, Sammy Davis Jr, Dave Brubeck, and Louis Armstrong. She was married once (and briefly), to drummer Kenny Clarke.
McRae died on the 10th November 1994.
Give Me the Simple Life
Carmen McRae Lyrics
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Why mess around with strife?
I never was cut out to step and strut out.
Give me the simple life.
Some find it pleasant dining on pheasant.
Those things roll off my knife,
Just serve me tomatoes, and mashed potatoes,
A cottage small is all I'm after,
Not one that's spacious and wide.
A house that rings with joy and laughter
And the ones you love inside.
Some like the high road, I like the low road,
Free from the care and strife.
Sounds corny and seedy, but yes, indeed-y,
Give me the simple life.
In Carmen McRae's song "Give Me The Simple Life," the singer expresses her preference for an uncomplicated, easygoing existence. She rejects stress and turmoil, instead favoring a more relaxed way of life. She is not impressed by fancy foods like pheasant, instead preferring simple fare like tomatoes and mashed potatoes. Similarly, she eschews grand, spacious homes in favor of cozy cottages that are filled with love and laughter. Ultimately, she does not want to take the "high road" of ambition and achievement, preferring instead the "low road" of peace and contentment.
This song is a celebration of simplicity and contentment, and it speaks to the importance of finding joy in life's little pleasures. It also reminds us that there is beauty and value in a life that is not defined by material success or status. By embracing simplicity and rejecting the notion that success requires constant struggle and striving, we can find a deeper happiness that is not dependent on external circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't believe in frettin' and grievin',
I don't think it's worth it to stress and worry over things unnecessarily.
Why mess around with strife?
What's the point in getting involved in conflict and trouble?
I never was cut out to step and strut out.
I never had the urge to show off or try to impress others.
Give me the simple life.
I prefer a life that is uncomplicated and not filled with unnecessary extravagance.
Some find it pleasant dining on pheasant.
Some people enjoy eating fancy and luxurious foods such as pheasant.
Those things roll off my knife,
Personally, I don't care much for those foods.
Just serve me tomatoes, and mashed potatoes,
I am content with simple and humble foods such as tomatoes and mashed potatoes.
Give me the simple life.
I would much rather have a simple and modest life than one that is overly complicated and fancy.
A cottage small is all I'm after,
I don't need a large and grand house, a small cottage is more my style.
Not one that's spacious and wide.
I'm not interested in having a big house with lots of extra space.
A house that rings with joy and laughter
What's more important to me is that my house is full of happiness, laughter and good memories.
And the ones you love inside.
I want to be surrounded by the people I love and care about the most.
Some like the high road, I like the low road,
Some people prefer to take the more challenging and ambitious path, while I prefer a simpler and more laid-back approach.
Free from the care and strife.
I want to live a life that is free of stress and conflict.
Sounds corny and seedy, but yes, indeed-y,
I know it may sound cliché or uncool, but it's really what I prefer.
Give me the simple life.
In summary, I would much rather have a simple, humble and happy life than one filled with stress, conflict and extravagance.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HARRY RUBY, RUBE BLOOM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind