Ethel Merman (January 16, 1908 – February 15, 1984) was an American actress… Read Full Bio ↴Ethel Merman (January 16, 1908 – February 15, 1984) was an American actress and singer. Known primarily for her belting voice and roles in musical theatre, she has been called "the undisputed First Lady of the musical comedy stage." Among the many standards introduced by Merman in Broadway musicals are "I Got Rhythm", "Everything's Coming Up Roses", "Some People", "Rose's Turn", "I Get a Kick Out of You", "It's De-Lovely", "Friendship", "You're the Top", "Anything Goes", and "There's No Business Like Show Business", which later became her theme song.

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.

HeatWave
Ethel Merman Lyrics

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Oh! We're having a heatwave, a tropical heatwave
The temperature's rising, it isn't surprising,
She certainly can can-can
She started a heatwave by letting her seat wave,
In such a way that the customers say
That she certainly can can-can

Gee,gee! Her anatomy makes the mercury rise to 93!

Having a heatwave, a tropical heatwave, the way that she moves,
That thermometer proves that she certainly can
(What's your name honey? Pablo).Certainly can
(Chico, Miguelito, Pablo, Chico, Miguelito) Oh, can-can.

Pablo, it's saying here in the weather report,
It's saying a fairly warm air is moving in from (Where?) Jamaica
Moderately high air pressure will cover the NE and (where else?)
The Deep South. Small danger of (what?) Fruit frost!
Hot and humid nights can be expected.
Vincent 95, Guadeloupe 97, Santo Domingo 99. Pardon me? 105?
We're having a heatwave, a tropical heatwave,
The temperature's rising, it isn't surprising,
I certainly can can-can

I started this heatwave in such a way
That the customers say that I certainly can can-can
The man who need makes the mercury rise to 93
We're having a heatwave, a tropical, a tropical heatwave
The way that I move, that thermometer grooves

She certainly certainly certainly can
I certainly, certainly, certainly can can-can

Overall Meaning

The song Heatwave by Ethel Merman is an upbeat song about a tropical heatwave. The song talks about rising temperatures and a woman who can move and dance in such a way that it starts a heatwave. Ethel Merman sings that the temperature is not surprising because of the heat produced by the woman's body movements.

The lyrics also mention weather forecast reports in which the temperature will be rising to extreme heights such as 105 degrees. Additionally, the lyrics talk about the way she moves and grooves, and how her anatomy makes the mercury rise to 93 degrees. The song goes on to say that the woman started the heatwave by letting her seat wave in such a way that customers couldn't help but say she certainly can can-can.

Overall, the song Heatwave is a fun and lively tune with upbeat lyrics about a temperature increase in a tropical setting. Ethel Merman's distinct and powerful voice adds to the cheerfulness of the song.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh! We're having a heatwave, a tropical heatwave
We are currently experiencing extremely hot weather conditions that are reminiscent of tropical climates.

The temperature's rising, it isn't surprising,
As expected, the temperature is getting higher and higher.

She certainly can can-can
She is very skilled at performing the energetic and lively dance called the can-can.

She started a heatwave by letting her seat wave,
Her provocative dancing caused an uproar and intense heat among the spectators.

In such a way that the customers say
The audience was so impressed by her moves that they could not help but comment.

Gee,gee! Her anatomy makes the mercury rise to 93!
Her physical attributes are so captivating that they appear to have an effect on the temperature, causing it to rise even higher.

The way that she moves, That thermometer proves that she certainly can
Her dancing skills are so impressive that they seem to be corroborated by the thermometer readings.

Oh, can-can.
This phrase serves as an expression of enthusiasm for the can-can dance form.

Pablo, it's saying here in the weather report,
The artist is relaying to someone named Pablo the contents of a weather report.

It's saying a fairly warm air is moving in from (Where?) Jamaica
The weather report indicates that warm air is coming from Jamaica.

Moderately high air pressure will cover the NE and (where else?)
The weather report predicts moderately high air pressure over the Northeast as well as another region that is not explicitly stated.

Small danger of (what?) Fruit frost!
There is only a slight possibility of a type of frost called fruit frost occurring.

Hot and humid nights can be expected.
The weather report warns that the nights will be both hot and humid.

Vincent 95, Guadeloupe 97, Santo Domingo 99. Pardon me? 105?
The weather report lists high temperatures in three different locations before revealing an even higher temperature of 105 degrees.

We're having a heatwave, a tropical heatwave,
The song's central refrain again draws attention to the current hot weather conditions and their tropical qualities.

I started this heatwave in such a way
The performer asserts that their dancing is the direct cause of the heatwave being experienced.

That the customers say that I certainly can can-can
The audience is so impressed by the performer's dancing that they have commented on it multiple times.

The man who need makes the mercury rise to 93
The performer notes that their effect on the temperature is not limited to a particular gender.

We're having a heatwave, a tropical, a tropical heatwave
The performer again emphasizes the uniqueness and intensity of the current heatwave.

The way that I move, that thermometer grooves
The performer is so skilled at dancing that even the thermometer seems to respond to their movements.

She certainly certainly certainly can
This repetition serves as an expression of unfettered enthusiasm for the performer's abilities.

I certainly, certainly, certainly can can-can
The performer asserts their own skill once again, echoing the earlier expressions of admiration from the audience.

Lyrics © DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Edward Jr. Holland, Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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