Origin of Jenkins Stage Name--------- Jenkins felt that his real name wasn't marketable, and he changed his show business name in 1957. (Harold Lloyd Jenkins would always remain his legal name, however). Looking at a road map, he spotted Conway, Arkansas and Twitty, Texas. Thus, he went with the professional name of "Conway Twitty".[citation needed]
Alternatively, Jenkins met a Richmond, VA, man named W. Conway Twitty Jr. through Jenkins' manager in a New York City restaurant. The manager served in the army with the real Conway Twitty. Later, the manager suggested to Jenkins that he take the name as his stage name because it had a ring to it. The Richmond Conway Twitty subsequently recorded the song, "What's in a Name But Trouble," in the mid-1960s, lamenting the loss of his name to Jenkins. The flip side of the 45 RPM record was "The Purple, Purple People Eater, Eater." (The more well known version of Purple People Eater, however, now having sold over 100,000,000 copies, was recorded by Sheb Wooley.)
Mona Lisa
Conway Twitty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're so like the lady with the mystic smile
Is it only 'cause you're lonely they have named you
For that Mona Lisa strangeness in your smile
Well, it your smile to tempt a lover Mona Lisa
Or is this your way to hide a broken heart
Many dreams have been brought to your doorstep
Are you warm, are you real Mona Lisa
Or just a cold and lonely, lovely work of art?
Well in a Villa in a little old Italian town
Lives a girl whose beauty shames the rose
Many yearn to love her but their hopes all tumble down
What does she want I guess nobody knows
Is your smile to tempt a lover Mona Lisa
Or is this your way to hide a broken heart
Are you warm, are you real Mona Lisa
Or just a cold and lonely, lovely work of art
Or just a cold and lonely, lovely work of art
Or just a cold and lonely, lovely work of art?
Conway Twitty's Mona Lisa can be interpreted as a song about an enigmatic woman whose beauty and smile are compared to the world-famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci. The song suggests that there is something mysterious about her, something that keeps her at a distance from those who try to love her. The lyrics pose questions about her true nature and intentions, whether her smile is a genuine expression of happiness or merely a façade to hide her heartbreak.
The opening verse sets the tone for the song, as Twitty sings that "men have named" the woman after the painting. He comments on how her smile appears mystical, which could mean that she may be difficult to understand or to reach out to. The second verse then wonders whether her smile will entice a potential lover or hide some deeper pain. The image of the "many dreams" brought to her doorstep, only to "lie there and die there," suggests the latter.
The third verse sets the scene of a villa in Italy, where a beautiful woman lives, and reveals that no one knows what she wants, adding to her mystery. The song ends on the same two lines, repeating the questions of whether Mona Lisa is warm and real, or just a "cold and lonely, lovely work of art." The song portrays the idea that beauty and art can sometimes conceal deeper emotions and that what we see on the surface may not reflect a person's true nature.
Line by Line Meaning
Well Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa men have named you
The singer acknowledges the common practice of naming a person after a famous figure, and in this case, referring to a woman who resembles the famed painting.
You're so like the lady with the mystic smile
Here, the singer notes the striking similarity between the woman and the painting especially with regard to her smile, which is captivating.
Is it only 'cause you're lonely they have named you
The singer wonders whether the woman is named after the painting or if the name comes from a sense of isolation or loneliness that is perceived from her.
For that Mona Lisa strangeness in your smile
There is a strange - almost mysterious - quality in the woman's smile that is reminiscent of the painting and which draws people to her.
Well, it your smile to tempt a lover Mona Lisa
The artist wonders if the woman's smile is a conscious effort to entice people around her, especially men.
Or is this your way to hide a broken heart
Alternatively, it could be that the woman uses her smile to mask the pain of a past relationship or experience.
Many dreams have been brought to your doorstep
The woman has had many suitors, and people have tried to win her heart by offering her gifts or affection.
They just lie there and they die there
However, none of these suitors have been successful, and their efforts have proven to be in vain.
Are you warm, are you real Mona Lisa
The artist questions whether the woman is a genuine and approachable person or whether she is distant and aloof.
Or just a cold and lonely, lovely work of art?
It could be that the woman is more like a piece of art than a real human being, in the sense that she is aesthetically pleasing, but not someone with whom others can connect.
Well in a Villa in a little old Italian town
The singer tells the story of another woman who is also beautiful, but who lives a simple life in a small town in Italy.
Lives a girl whose beauty shames the rose
The woman is so beautiful that even a rose, which is often regarded as one of the most beautiful flowers, pales in comparison.
Many yearn to love her but their hopes all tumble down
Like the first woman, this woman attracts many suitors, but none of them are able to win her affection.
What does she want I guess nobody knows
It is unclear what motivates this woman or why she is so hesitant to form romantic relationships.
Or just a cold and lonely, lovely work of art
In bringing up these two women, the singer seems to be suggesting that there are different kinds of beauty and that not all beautiful people are approachable or willing to connect with others.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Tratore
Written by: JIMMY JONES, OTIS BLACKWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gunaseeilan7979
Well Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa men have named you
You're so like the lady with the mystic smile
Is it only 'cause you're lonely they have named you
For that Mona Lisa strangeness in your smile
Well, it your smile to tempt a lover Mona Lisa
Or is this your way to hide a broken heart
Many dreams have been brought to your doorstep
They just lie there and they die there
Are you warm, are you real Mona Lisa
Or just a cold and lonely, lovely work of art?
Well in a Villa in a little old Italian town
Lives a girl whose beauty shames the rose
Many yearn to love her but their hopes all tumble down
What does she want I guess nobody knows
Is your smile to tempt a lover Mona Lisa
Or is this your way to hide a broken heart
Are you warm, are you real Mona Lisa
Or just a cold and lonely, lovely work of art
Or just a cold and lonely, lovely work of art
Or just a cold and lonely, lovely work of art?
@johntate5722
This is great - real vocal pyrotechnics by Conway Twitty...and a great bold version, cheeky and gutsy
@Mr61941
This is how I spent my money when I was a kid playing this song on the Jukebox. I love this song and Conway Twitty..
@JakeSmith-ux1xk
Me too
@timothyhughes1904
Cole's version was haunting. Conway's rendition is light entertainment.
@mariellemartin9380
I just love Conway doing this song!
@josephkane3215
Just an absolute Brilliant Version of The Nat King Cole single as it is just sounds so great
@rhythmrajkishore8031
Nat King Cole's version is classic, no doubt. Nevertheless this version of Conway's gives you goosebumps. Every time I listen to this song, I'm filled with excitement and tremendous energy. What a performance! You are also advised to listen to Jerry Lee Lewis' version of this song. Plz don't compare these great talents, just enjoy every version as a gem.
@danielburns987
this song went to #29 on the pop charts in 1959!!!
@slavkoivicic1250
and it should have been number 1 super good version of the old clasic by nat king cole
@8176morgan
I like Carl Mann's version better. Also released in 1959 on Sun Records which reached # 25 on the pop charts.