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.
The Girl That I Marry
Dick Haymes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As soft and as pink as a nursery
The girl I call my own
Will wear satins and laces and smell of cologne
Her nails will be polished and, in her hair,
She'll wear a gardenia and I'll be there
'stead of flittin', I'll be sittin'
A doll I can carry, the girl that I marry must be
Her nails will be polished and, in her hair,
She'll wear a gardenia and I'll be there
'stead of flittin', I'll be sittin'
Next to her and she'll purr like a kitten
A doll I can carry, the girl that I marry must be
The lyrics of Dick Haymes's The Girl That I Marry describe the singer's ideal woman, the one he wants to marry. He sets certain standards for her, stating that she should be soft and pink, resembling a nursery, a place meant for nurturing and care. He wants her to wear satins and laces, and smell of cologne, indicating his preference for a well-dressed and well-groomed woman. He further describes his dream woman's physical features and habits, including polished nails, wearing a gardenia in her hair, and the ability to purr like a kitten when he is around.
However, the lyrics also suggest a certain level of objectification of women, as the singer perceives his ideal girl as a "doll [he] can carry." He sets high aesthetic and behavior standards, disregarding her personality or intelligence, which is a reflection of the societal norms and expectations of the time.
The song's lyrics gained a different interpretation when it was used in the 1946 Broadway musical Annie Get Your Gun. The song was sung by the main character, Annie Oakley, as she dreams of the perfect man she wants to marry. The lyrics, when sung by a woman, turned the tables on the traditional gender roles and expectations of the era, presenting a female character with agency in her desires.
Line by Line Meaning
The girl that I marry will have to be
The woman I choose to marry must meet particular standards and expectations.
As soft and as pink as a nursery
She must be gentle, delicate, and beautiful.
The girl I call my own
She will be my possession, my partner, and companion.
Will wear satins and laces and smell of cologne
She should present herself elegantly with fine clothing and a pleasant fragrance.
Her nails will be polished and, in her hair,
She must maintain her appearance with well-manicured nails and styled hair.
She'll wear a gardenia and I'll be there
She will be my date for formal occasions and will accompany me with grace.
'stead of flittin', I'll be sittin'
I will no longer be casual or flirtatious but will commit to her completely.
Next to her and she'll purr like a kitten
In her presence, I will feel content and she will display affection and admiration towards me.
A doll I can carry, the girl that I marry must be
The woman I choose to marry must be dainty and easily manageable, able to fit my ideal image of womanhood.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: IRVING BERLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@clivefuller-hale5073
Enjoyable...thanks...
@leetomboulian
Haymes was underweighted