Ella Mae Morse was born in Mansfield, Texas, United States. She was hired by Jimmy Dorsey when she was 14 years old. Dorsey believed she was 19, and when he was informed by the school board that he was now responsible for her care, he fired her. In 1942, at the age of 17, she joined Freddie Slack's band, with whom in the same year she recorded "Cow Cow Boogie", Capitol Records' first gold single. "Mr. Five by Five" was also recorded by Morse with Slack, and they had a hit recording with the song in 1942 (Capitol 115). She also originated the wartime hit "Milkman, Keep Those Bottles Quiet", which was later popularized by Nancy Walker in the film, Broadway Rhythm.
In 1943, Morse began to record solo. She reached #1 in the R&B chart with "Shoo-Shoo Baby" in December for two weeks. In the same year she performed "Cow Cow Boogie" in the film Reveille with Beverly and starred in Universal's South of Dixie and The Ghost Catchers with Olsen and Johnson and How Do You Dooo? with radio's Mad Russian, Bert Gordon. She sang in a wide variety of styles, and she had hits on both the U.S. pop and rhythm and blues charts. However, she never received the popularity of a major star because her versatility prevented her from being placed into any one category of music.
The song "Love Me or Leave Me" as recorded by Morse was released by Capitol Records as catalog number 1922, with the flip side "Blacksmith Blues," which became her biggest hit.
In 1946, "House of Blue Lights" by Freddie Slack and Morse, (written by Slack and Raye) saw them perform what was one of many of Raye's songs picked up by black R&B artists. Her biggest solo success was "Blacksmith Blues" in 1952, which sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. The same year her version of "Down the Road a Piece" appeared on Capitol with Slack again on piano accompaniment. Morse also recorded a version of "Oakie Boogie" for Capitol which reached #23 in 1952. Her version was one of the first songs arranged by Nelson Riddle.
Morse ceased recording in 1957, but continued performing until the early 1990s at such clubs as Michael's Pub in New York, Ye Little Club in Beverly Hills, the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel's Cinegrill and the Vine St. Bar and Grill. She appeared regularly at Disneyland for several years with the Ray McKinley Orchestra, and did a successful tour of Australia shortly before her final illness.
Her music career was profiled in Nick Tosches' 1984 book, The Unsung Heroes of Rock 'N' Roll: The Birth of Rock in the Wild Years Before Elvis. She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1724 Vine Street. Her entire recorded body of work was issued in a deluxe box set by Bear Family Records.
As Morse's musical style blended jazz, blues, and country, she has sometimes been called the first rock 'n' roll singer. A good example is her 1942 recording of the song "Get On Board, Little Chillun", which, with strong gospel, blues, boogie, and jive sounds as a genuine precursor to the later rockabilly/ rock 'n roll songs. Her records sold well to both Caucasian and African-American audiences. As she was not well known at the time of her first solo hits, many people assumed she was African-American because of her 'hip' vocal style and choice of material.
Morse had six children from two marriages, as well as several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and an estranged sister named Flo Handy, who was also a singer.
In 1999 Morse died of respiratory failure in Bullhead City, Arizona, aged 75.
Heart and Soul
Ella Mae Morse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Heart and soul, the way a fool would do, madly
Because you held me tight
And stole a kiss in the night
Heart and soul, I begged to be adored
Lost control, and tumbled overboard, gladly
That magic night we kissed
Oh! but your lips were thrilling, much too thrilling
Never before were mine so strangely willing
But now I see, what one embrace can do
Look at me, it's got me loving you madly
That little kiss you stole
Held all my heart and soul
The song "Heart and Soul" by Ella Mae Morse is a classic love song that tells the story of falling in love with someone and how one little kiss can change everything. The lyrics describe the feeling of being enamored with someone, losing control and tumbling overboard because of how much they love that person. The lyrics are straightforward and heartfelt, and they express the idea that love can be all-consuming, like being swept away by a strong current.
The first verse sets the stage for the rest of the song, as the singer describes falling in love with someone "heart and soul," with a passion and intensity that is akin to feeling like a fool. The second verse describes how the singer begged to be adored and lost control, tumbling overboard, all because of one magical night when they kissed in the moon mist. The final verse reflects on the power of that one little kiss, how it changed everything, and how it held all of the singer's heart and soul.
Overall, the lyrics to "Heart and Soul" are a timeless expression of the power of love, and the way that it can sweep us off our feet and change our lives forever.
Line by Line Meaning
Heart and soul, I fell in love with you
My entire being was captivated by you
Heart and soul, the way a fool would do, madly
I fell for you recklessly and completely, like a lovesick fool
Because you held me tight
Your embrace made me feel safe and loved
And stole a kiss in the night
You took me by surprise with your passionate kiss in the darkness
Heart and soul, I begged to be adored
I desperately craved your affection and attention
Lost control, and tumbled overboard, gladly
I couldn't resist my love for you, and gladly fell head over heels
That magic night we kissed
That unforgettable evening when we shared a kiss
There in the moon mist
Under the romantic and dreamy moonlight
Oh! but your lips were thrilling, much too thrilling
Your kiss was electrifying, and too much for me to handle
Never before were mine so strangely willing
I had never felt so willing and eager to give into my desires before
But now I see, what one embrace can do
I realize now the power of just one embrace from you
Look at me, it's got me loving you madly
I am now completely and irrevocably in love with you
That little kiss you stole
That seemingly small and innocent kiss you took from me
Held all my heart and soul
Had a profound impact on my heart and soul, and made me fall for you completely
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Frank Loesser, Hoagy Carmichael
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
whispperson
Love this Lady. The Forgotten Queen of Rock n Roll. Thanks for this and the other Postings of Ella Mae Morse.
Matt Reid
Joans20thCentury.. how I adore all your posts especially when its Miss Morse. This song in particular has me dancing and singing, honestly can say I didn't even know this version existed. Do you have any original release info? I wanna find this one. Thank you thank you!! This songs got me heart and soul!
-The Big Clatter - 50’s Jz & R&R
🥳👍💫
Andrew Green
Wow