Ethel Agnes Zimmerman was born in the third floor bedroom of her grandmother's house at 359 4th Avenue in Astoria, Queens. Growing up near Famous Players-Lasky's Astoria Studios, young Ethel often watched the silent movie stars drive by in their massive cars, and she dreamed of joining their ranks one day. Her powerful voice won attention when her family worshipped at Holy Redeemer Episcopal Church, and she began making local concert appearances. She also frequently attended vaudeville performances at The Palace Theater in Manhattan, watching great stars like Fanny Brice and Sophie Tucker.
Ethel's parents Edward (an accountant) and Agnes (a school teacher) understood Ethel's love of singing, but they did not see show business as a reliable career choice for a woman. They insisted that she get a solid education with thorough training in secretarial skills, so she would have something to fall back on if her dreams of stardom didn't pan out. After Ethel graduating William Cullen Bryant High School, she earned a respectable $28 a week as a stenographer for the owner of a local factory. She picked up extra money by singing at private parties and in night clubs. Ethel was so efficient that her indulgent boss (who only came in two days a week) overlooked her taking nap breaks at the office after late night performances. When Ethel's gigs multiplied, her parents accepted the inevitable and allowed her to give up the day job and sing full-time.
Alexander's Ragtime Band
Ethel Merman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Alexander's Ragtime Band
Come on and hear, come on and hear
It's the best band in the land
They can play a bugle call
Like you never heard before
So natural that you want to go to war
That's just the bestest band what am, Honey Lamb
Come on along, come on along
Let me take you by the hand
Up to the man, up to the man
Who's the leader of the band
And if you want to hear the Swanee River played in ragtime
Come on and hear, come on and hear
Alexander's Ragtime Band
The first two lines of Ethel Merman's song, "Come on and hear, come on and hear / Alexander's Ragtime Band" are an exhortation for people to come and listen to the band that is being referred to. What follows is a testimony to the band's skill and talent - "It's the best band in the land / They can play a bugle call / Like you never heard before / So natural that you want to go to war." Here, the band is being presented as being the best in the land, with the ability to play music that is powerful and evocative. The bugle call is a reference to military music, which has always been an important part of American culture. The reference suggests that this band is the best at playing such music, and that their skills are truly impressive. The singer goes on to say that the band is simply the "bestest band what am", emphasizing her enthusiasm and admiration for their talent.
The second half of the song is essentially a call to action - the singer invites her listeners to follow her to the man who leads the band, and to see and hear for themselves the skill of the musicians. The final lines of the song, "And if you want to hear the Swanee River played in ragtime / Come on and hear, come on and hear / Alexander's Ragtime Band" is a reference to the popular folk song "Old Folks at Home," also known as "Swanee River," and suggests that the band is capable of playing even the most traditional of music in a new and exciting ragtime style.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on and hear, come on and hear
Encouraging the listener to come and experience the music
Alexander's Ragtime Band
Referring to the musical group featured in the song
Come on and hear, come on and hear
Reiterating the invitation to hear the band play
It's the best band in the land
Asserting that Alexander's Ragtime Band is the superior band in the region
They can play a bugle call
The band is skilled enough to play military music
Like you never heard before
Their rendition of the bugle call is unique and impressive
So natural that you want to go to war
Their playing is so convincing that it conjures up feelings of patriotism
That's just the bestest band what am, Honey Lamb
Affirming the band's excellence once again, using playful language
Come on along, come on along
Inviting the listener to follow the singer to meet the band leader
Let me take you by the hand
The singer offers to guide the listener to the band leader
Up to the man, up to the man
Emphasizing the direction in which they are heading
Who's the leader of the band
The object of their journey; to meet the leader of Alexander's Ragtime Band
And if you want to hear the Swanee River played in ragtime
Hyping up the band's ability to perform a beloved tune in a fresh style
Come on and hear, come on and hear
Reiterating the invitation to listen to the band's performance
Alexander's Ragtime Band
Calling out the band's name one last time to leave a lasting impression
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Irving Berlin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Faithful Forever
She was 70 years old when this was made! Absolutely fantastic and amazing.! What a lady!
Star Sky
Ethel absolutely rocks this number. The arrangement challenges her in a new way. I love her dancing and gestures. And at the end of the number she isn't even winded. What a gorgeous footnote in disco history!
Henry Runkles
Damn, she could still belt the tunes out. What a voice. Not everyone's cup of tea, but damn, what a voice! Lived for the stage!
Arthur Harrison
She was an institution. Amazing- nothing ever like her since.
Nunofurdambiznez
70 years young and STILL a hell of a powerhouse!!!!
meltzerboy
She is absolutely incomparable, one of a kind.
Jack Buckley
Bravo! Her voice does something to you, so full-throated & brassy, with a ringing, delightful-to-the-ear timbre.
Demented Nun
She got some stick for doing this album because It was totally out of her genre. with somebody that had such a long career as her it's nice to see them try something new
patton303
Cool that she did it with Johnny’s band. They murdered it as usual.
LieslJones59
I got to actually meet her when she did a record signing in a small record store on Santa Monica Blvd in
West Hollywood in 1979 when this album was first released....on vinyl!