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.
I've Got a Crush On You
Ethel Merman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Would be to capture me
But you had such persistence, you wore down my resistance
I fell and it was swell
I'm your big and brave and handsome Romeo
How I won you I shall never, never know
It's not that you're attractive
When you came into view
I've got a crush on you, sweetie pie
All the day and night-time give me sign
I never had the least notion that
I could fall with so much emotion
Could you coo, could you care
For a cunning cottage we could share
The world will pardon my mush
'Cause I have got a crush on you
Could you coo, could you care
For a cunning cottage
That we could share
The world will pardon my mush
'Cause I have got a crush, my baby, on you
Ethel Merman's "I've Got Rhythm" is a classic song that speaks about the feelings of romantic love. The song is sung by the main character, who expresses that while many other women may want to be with him, he fell in love with the person who pursued him relentlessly. The lyrics demonstrate the power that love can have over a person and how it can make them feel. The first verse especially highlights how the singer is surprised that they fell for their pursuer's advances despite not being particularly attracted to them initially. The following verses go on to express their love and desire for their pursuer.
One of the intriguing aspects of the song is the way it captures the uncertainty and unpredictability of love. The singer is almost bewildered by the fact that they have developed such strong feelings for their pursuer which they never anticipated. The song's chorus of "I've got a crush on you, sweetie pie" reinforces the idea of how love can be overwhelming and can take over a person's emotions.
Overall, the song is an excellent example of how music can capture powerful emotions and communicate them to an audience. The song's simple melody and catchy lyrics make it an enduring classic that has stood the test of time.
Line by Line Meaning
How glad the many millions of Annabelles and Lillians
Many women would love to be with me
Would be to capture me
Would like to have me as their man
But you had such persistence, you wore down my resistance
You pursued me until I gave in
I fell and it was swell
I fell in love with you and it was great
I'm your big and brave and handsome Romeo
I am your strong and attractive man
How I won you I shall never, never know
I am uncertain how I managed to obtain your love
It's not that you're attractive
Your looks are not what drew me to you
But, oh, my heart grew active
But I felt a strong connection with you
When you came into view
When I first saw you
I've got a crush on you, sweetie pie
I have strong feelings of attraction towards you
All the day and night-time give me sign
Every moment of the day and night, I am reminded of you
I never had the least notion that
I never imagined that
I could fall with so much emotion
I could experience such strong feelings towards someone
Could you coo, could you care
Would you be willing to
For a cunning cottage we could share
Live with me in a small but charming house
The world will pardon my mush
Others may find it corny but
'Cause I have got a crush on you
Because I have strong feelings for you
Could you coo, could you care
Would you be willing to
For a cunning cottage
For a small and charming house
That we could share
That we would live in together
The world will pardon my mush
Others may find it corny but
'Cause I have got a crush, my baby, on you
Because I have strong feelings for you
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind