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.
If I
Carmen McRae Lyrics
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Well sir, all I can say, is if I were a bell I'd be ringin'
From the moment we kissed tonight, that's the way I've just gotta behave
Boy, if I were a lamp I'd light or if I were a banner I'd wave
Ask me how do I feel, little me with my quiet upbringing
Well sir, all I can say is if gate I'd be swinging
And if I were a watch I'd start popping my springs
Yes, I knew my morale would crack
From the wonderful way that you looked
Boy, if I were a duck I'd quack
Or if I were a goose I'd be cooked
Ask me how do I feel, ask me now that we're fondly caressing
Well, if I were a salad, I know I'd be splashing my dressing
Or if I were a season, I'd surely be spring
Or if I were a gate, I would swing, have a fling almost any old thing
Or if I were a bell I'd go ding dong, ding dong
Ding dong ding dong ding dong ding ding dong
The lyrics to "If I Were a Bell" by Carmen McRae express the overwhelming feeling of joy and excitement that comes with being in love. McRae uses metaphors of various objects and things to convey her emotions, saying that if she were a bell, she would be ringing. This line also serves as the song's hook and chorus, allowing listeners to easily sing along.
McRae's lyrics are playful and whimsical, making use of similes such as "if I were a lamp I'd light" and "if I were a watch I'd start popping my springs". The use of these similes showcase McRae's creative and imaginative mind, allowing the listener to envision her excitement as a physical sensation.
In the final verse, McRae compares herself to a salad splashing with dressing, or a gate swinging and having a fling. These comparisons highlight the carefree and joyful nature of being in love, turning ordinary objects and events into something joyous and wonderful.
Overall, "If I Were a Bell" is a lighthearted and joyful song that communicates the thrill of being in love through the use of creative metaphors and playful imagery.
Line by Line Meaning
Ask me how do I feel, ask me now that we're cozy and clingin'
Asks how the singer feels in the cozy and clingy moment
Well sir, all I can say, is if I were a bell I'd be ringin'
Singer is saying they are very happy and would ring like a bell
From the moment we kissed tonight, that's the way I've just gotta behave
The kiss has made the singer extremely happy and acting like a bell
Boy, if I were a lamp I'd light or if I were a banner I'd wave
The singer would use any means to show their happiness if they were a lamp or banner
Well sir, all I can say is if gate I'd be swinging
The singer is very happy and would swing as a gate
And if I were a watch I'd start popping my springs
The singer is so happy they would start jumping uncontrollably like a watch's springs
Or if I were a bell I'd go ding dong, ding dong ding
The singer is so happy that they would keep ringing like a bell
Yes, I knew my morale would crack
The singer knew they would give in to their happy emotions
From the wonderful way that you looked
Seeing the other person in a wonderful way added to the singer's happiness
Boy, if I were a duck I'd quack
The singer would behave like a happy duck
Or if I were a goose I'd be cooked
The singer would be so happy they would be cooked like a goose
Ask me how do I feel, ask me now that we're fondly caressing
Asks again how the singer feels while being fondly caressed
Well, if I were a salad, I know I'd be splashing my dressing
Singer would be very excited and add extra dressing like a salad
Or if I were a season, I'd surely be spring
Singer would be in a happy and joyful mood like spring
Or if I were a gate, I would swing, have a fling almost any old thing
Singer would be so happy they would do anything spontaneously just like a gate would swing
Ding dong ding dong ding dong ding ding dong
Singer is still very happy and ringing like a bell
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARY C BROCKERT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind