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.
They Say It's Wonderful
Ethel Merman Lyrics
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It's wonderful, so they say
And with the moon up above, it's wonderful
It's wonderful, so they tell me
I can't recall who said it
I know I've never read it
I only know they tell me that love is grand, and
Is wonderful, wonderful
In every way, so they say
To leave your house some morning
And without any warning, you're stopping people,
Shouting that love is grand, and
To hold a man in your arms is wonderful, wonderful
In every way, so they say
The lyrics to Ethel Merman's song "They Say It's Wonderful" explore the experience of falling in love and the various ways in which this feeling has been described. The opening lines state that the act of falling in love is considered "wonderful" by many people, and this sentiment is then reiterated and expanded upon throughout the remainder of the song. The reference to the moon suggests a romantic atmosphere, while the refrain "so they tell me" implies that the singer is not completely convinced of the truth of these assertions.
The second half of the song shifts to a more personal perspective, with the singer admitting that she cannot remember who first said that love was wonderful, but that she has been told this by others. The idea of romance is then presented as something universally regarded as positive, with the repetition of "wonderful" underscoring this. The final lines paint a picture of someone who is so caught up in the joy of love that they want to shout it from the rooftops, with the suggestion that physical affection is also a key part of this experience.
Overall, the lyrics to "They Say It's Wonderful" serve as a celebration of romance, while also acknowledging the somewhat clichéd nature of this sentiment. The repeated phrase "so they say" suggests that the singer is aware of the many cultural and societal expectations around love, even as she embraces the feeling herself.
Line by Line Meaning
They say that falling love is wonderful
According to what they say, the experience of falling in love is fantastic
It's wonderful, so they say
It's supposed to be wonderful, as per the opinion of the people
And with the moon up above, it's wonderful
According to popular belief, falling in love under the moon is wonderfully romantic
It's wonderful, so they tell me
People generally tell me that it's wonderful
I can't recall who said it
I can't remember the name of the person who said it
I know I've never read it
I'm certain that I've not come across it in any book or other written material
I only know they tell me that love is grand, and
All I know is that people always tell me love is magnificent
The thing that's known as romance
That particular feeling and emotion commonly referred to as romance
Is wonderful, wonderful
Is brilliant, according to popular opinion
In every way, so they say
In each and every aspect, at least as per popular belief
To leave your house some morning
Simply leaving your house at times
And without any warning, you're stopping people,
And suddenly you're halting other people
Shouting that love is grand, and
Calling out that love is fantastic
To hold a man in your arms is wonderful, wonderful
Simply holding a man in your arms is an immensely pleasurable experience, according to popular opinion
In every way, so they say
All-in-all, according to popular belief
Lyrics © IMAGEM U.S. LLC
Written by: IRVING BERLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind