Dick Haymes (September 13, 19… Read Full Bio ↴Powerful, milky smooth, rich baritone.
Dick Haymes (September 13, 1918 – March 28, 1980) was one of the most popular American male vocalists of the 1940s and early 1950s.
He was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His Irish-born mother, Marguerite Haymes (1894-1987), was a well-known vocal coach and instructor. He became the vocalist in a number of big bands, worked in Hollywood on radio and in many films throughout the forties and fifties.
He never became a United States citizen and avoided military service during World War II by asserting his non-belligerent status as a citizen of Argentina, which was neutral. Years later (1955), this act of his nearly caused his deportation to Argentina on an unrelated technicality in immigration law. During World War II, he was briefly detained at Ellis Island.
Haymes was married six times and had six children. His most famous marriages were to film actresses Joanne Dru (1941-1949) and Rita Hayworth (1953-1955). His daughter Stephanie Haymes was married to Sir Elton John's lyricist Bernie Taupin
He died in Los Angeles from lung cancer, at the age of 61.
Nevertheless
Dick Haymes Lyrics
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When I'd be held under your thumb
I'm like a pawn in your hand
Moved and compelled, at your command
Whether it's for bad or for good
I would never change it if I could
Maybe I'm right, maybe I'm wrong
But nevertheless I'm in love with you
Maybe I'll win, maybe I'll lose
And maybe I'm in for crying the blues
But nevertheless I'm in love with you
Somehow, I know at a glance, the terrible chances I'm taking
Fine at the start, then left with a heart that is breaking
Maybe I'll live a life of regret,
And maybe I'll give much more than I get
But nevertheless, I'm in love with you
In spite of all I could do
I went ahead falling for you
So if I laugh or I cry
I made my bed, that's where I'll lie
For what happens there's no excuse
I put my own head in the noose
The lyrics of Dick Haymes’s song Nevertheless describe the struggle of being in love with someone who holds power over you. It’s a feeling of being trapped like a pawn in a chess game, compelled to move and act at the other person’s command. The singer acknowledges that he may be weak and making a mistake, but he cannot help how he feels. He knows the relationship may end in heartbreak, but he is still willing to take the risk because he is in love with the other person.
The lines “Somehow, I know at a glance, the terrible chances I'm taking / Fine at the start, then left with a heart that is breaking” reveal the singer’s awareness that this love may be a mistake, and it could lead to his heart being broken. However, he adds “But nevertheless I'm in love with you”, emphasizing his inability to control his feelings, even if it may lead to unfortunate consequences.
The final lines, “For what happens there's no excuse / I put my own head in the noose”, indicate a level of self-awareness on the singer’s part. He knows that he is taking a risk by being in love with someone who holds power over him, and he will have to deal with the consequences of his choices. Nevertheless is a song about the complexities of love, loss, and the choices we make when our emotions overpower our rationality.
Line by Line Meaning
I knew the time had to come
I was aware that this moment would arrive
When I'd be held under your thumb
When you'll take control over me
I'm like a pawn in your hand
I'm defenseless and under your complete control
Moved and compelled, at your command
I'm obliged to follow your orders, no matter what
Whether it's for bad or for good
Regardless of the outcome of the situation
I would never change it if I could
I wouldn't alter the course of my life
Maybe I'm right, maybe I'm wrong
Perhaps I'm correct in my thinking, or perhaps I'm mistaken
Maybe I'm weak, maybe I'm strong
It's possible that I'm vulnerable or resilient
But nevertheless I'm in love with you
However, I'm still madly in love with you
Maybe I'll win, maybe I'll lose
Perhaps I will triumph or fail
And maybe I'm in for crying the blues
I might end up with a heavy heart and in despair
But nevertheless I'm in love with you
Despite all this, I'm still taken with you
Somehow, I know at a glance, the terrible chances I'm taking
I'm fully cognizant of the great threat I'm facing
Fine at the start, then left with a heart that is breaking
Things might go well initially, but ultimately my heart might shatter
Maybe I'll live a life of regret,
Perhaps I'll have a lifetime of remorse,
And maybe I'll give much more than I get
And maybe I'll end up sacrificing more
But nevertheless, I'm in love with you
However, I'm still devoted to you
In spite of all I could do
Regardless of all the attempts I've made
I went ahead falling for you
I still chose to fall in love with you
So if I laugh or I cry
Therefore, if I'm joyful or tearful
I made my bed, that's where I'll lie
But I've made my choice and must live with its consequences
For what happens there's no excuse
There's no justification for the consequences of my actions
I put my own head in the noose
I'm responsible for the outcome of my own fate
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bert Kalmar, Herman Ruby
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Clive Fuller-Hale
Another delightful vocal...thank you for posting...