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.
You're Just in Love
Ethel Merman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I smell blossoms and the trees are bare
All day long I seem to walk on air
I wonder why, I wonder why
I keep tossing in my sleep at night
And what's more I've lost my appetite
Stars that used to twinkle in the skies
Are twinkling in my eyes I wonder why
(You don't need analyzing)
(It is not so surprising)
(That you feel very strange but nice)
(Your heart goes pitter patter)
(I know just what's the matter)
(Because I've been there once or twice)
(Put your head on my shoulder)
(You need someone who's older)
(A rub down with a velvet glove)
(There is nothing you can take)
(To relieve that pleasant ache)
(You're not sick, you're just in love)
I hear singing and there's no one there
(You don't need analyzing)
(It is not so surprising)
I smell blossoms and the trees are bare
(That you feel very strange but nice)
All day long I seem to walk on air
(Your heart goes pitter patter)
(I know just what's the matter)
I wonder why
(Because I've been there once or twice)
I wonder why
I keep tossing in my sleep at night
(With your head on my shoulder)
(You need someone who's older)
And what's more I've lost my appetite
(A rub down with a velvet glove)
Stars that used to twinkle in the skies
(There is nothing you can take)
(To relieve that pleasant ache)
Are twinkling in my eyes
(You're not sick)
I wonder why
(You're just in love)
(And I know why)
And I know why
I'm just in love
The song "You're Just in Love" by Ethel Merman is a classic love song that is all about the feelings of falling in love. The song begins with the singer describing the surreal feeling that they experience when they are with their partner. They hear singing and smell blossoms even when there is no one there and the trees are bare. The singer admits to feeling light and free, and wonders why they feel this way. They also mention that they have been "tossing in their sleep at night" and have lost their appetite.
The second verse of the song, which is sung by a man, expresses a similar feeling of inexplicable joy in being in love. He acknowledges that these feelings might seem strange, but assures the woman that she is not alone in experiencing them. He also suggests that she needs someone older, someone who has been in love before.
The chorus of the song repeats the refrain "You're not sick, you're just in love," acknowledging that falling in love can be a powerful and often overwhelming experience.
Overall, the song speaks to the universal experience of falling in love and feeling a deep connection to someone. The lyrics capture the enchanting and dreamlike qualities of being in love, while also recognizing that these feelings can be confusing and disruptive to one's daily life.
Line by Line Meaning
I hear singing and there's no one there
I am experiencing something wonderful, even though there is no obvious reason for me to feel this way
I smell blossoms and the trees are bare
I am surrounded by beauty, even though it is not the right season for it
All day long I seem to walk on air
I am feeling incredibly happy and light-hearted all day long
I wonder why, I wonder why
I am trying to figure out what is causing my newfound happiness
I keep tossing in my sleep at night
Even when I am asleep, my mind is still preoccupied with my feelings of love
And what's more I've lost my appetite
My feelings of love are so intense that I am not even hungry anymore
Stars that used to twinkle in the skies
Even the stars seem to reflect my happiness and are twinkling just for me
Are twinkling in my eyes I wonder why
My happiness is so strong that it is even reflected in my eyes
You don't need analyzing
There is no need to try and figure out what is behind my happiness, it is just love
It is not so surprising
It is not uncommon to feel this way when you are in love
That you feel very strange but nice
It is a unique feeling, but a good one nonetheless
Your heart goes pitter patter
My heart is beating strongly and erratically due to my love
I know just what's the matter
I can relate to this feeling because I have experienced it before
Because I've been there once or twice
I have felt this way before due to love and know how it feels
Put your head on my shoulder
Rest your head on my shoulder and let me comfort you
You need someone who's older
You need someone who can offer you guidance and advice on this feeling
A rub down with a velvet glove
You need comfort and tenderness to help you through this feeling of love
There is nothing you can take
There is no medicine that can cure the feeling of love
To relieve that pleasant ache
To make this feeling go away, you simply have to let it run its course
You're not sick, you're just in love
You are not unwell, you are simply experiencing love
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: IRVING BERLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@AllAboutMaria
MALE VOICE:
I hear singing and there's no one there
I smell blossoms and the trees are bare
All day long I seem to walk on air
I wonder why, I wonder why
I keep tossing in my sleep at night
And what's more I've lost my appetite
Stars that used to twinkle in the skies
Are twinkling in my eyes, I wonder why
FEMALE VOICE:
You don't need analyzing
It is not so surprising
That you feel very strange but nice
Your heart goes pitter patter
I know just what's the matter
Because I've been there once or twice
Put your head on my shoulder
You need someone who's older
A rub down with a velvet glove
There is nothing you can take
To relieve that pleasant ache
You're not sick, you're just in love
@rajaahmedsaeed8601
hear singing and there's no one there
I smell blossoms and the trees are bare
All day long I seem to walk on air
I wonder why, I wonder why
I keep tossing in my sleep at night
And what's more I've lost my appetite
Stars that used to twinkle in the skies
Are twinkling in my eyes I wonder why
(To relieve that pleasant ache)
(You're not sick, you're just in love)
I hear singing and there's no one there
(You don't need analyzing)
(It is not so surprising)
I smell blossoms and the trees are bare
(That you feel very strange but nice)
All day long I seem to walk on air
(Your heart goes pitter patter)
(I know just what's the matter)
I wonder why
(Because I've been there once or twice)
I wonder why
I keep tossing in my sleep at night
(With your head on my shoulder)
(You need someone who's older)
And what's more I've lost my appetite
(A rub down with a velvet glove)
Stars that used to twinkle in the skies
(There is nothing you can take)
(To relieve that pleasant ache)
Are twinkling in my eyes
(You're not sick)
I wonder why
(You're just in love)
And I know why
I'm just in love
@Wolfhoundersful
I hear singing and there's no one there
I smell blossoms and the trees are bare
All day long I seem to walk on air
I wonder why. I wonder why
I keep tossing in my sleep at night
And what's more I've lost my appetite
Stars that used to twinkle in the skies
Are twinkling in my eyes. I wonder why
You don't need analyzing
It is not so surprising
That you feel very strange but nice
Your heart goes pitter patter
I know just what's the matter
Because I've been there once or twice
Put your head on my shoulder
You need someone who's older
A rubdown with a velvet glove
There is nothing you can take
To relieve that pleasant ache
You're not sick. You're just in love
@davidhoffman1969
O'Connor's voice is sadly underrated. That is gorgeous singing.
@MountTheodore72
Amen.
@stephaniehuddleston6181
It just lulled my exhausted toddler to sleep. I love his singing!
@variegatus
Underrated by whom? Mr. O'Connor starred in many major film musicals because of his huge singing and dancing talents. And he performed with the biggest stars of the day. How is this being underrated? No, he wasn't as big as Gene Kelly or Fred Astaire but this doesn't mean he wasn't very successful. People who enjoy movie musicals hold him in high regard.
@Dastardly_X
Ive never heard the name.
I'm 53 .
Obviously Ethyl Merman is a household name.
@rossmcl1776
@K Mulcahy I don't think the OP was saying Mr O'Connor wasn't successful. Its just that he's known mainly for his dancing. When you ask people who were the great singers of the 1950s, his name won't come up much, but as this clip shows he was very, very good.
@christiankrenek7689
Absolutely great! The blend of O’Connor’s gentle voice with Lady Ethel’s MASSIVE pipes is the stuff of legend. Fun fact—as others have said below, Merman, after listening to the score, thought the show needed another big number. Irving Berlin asked her what she wanted (because when Ethel Merman tells you she wants something, *you give it to her*), and she remarked “I’d really like to do a song with the kid” (she was the lead in the musical/movie, and he played her assistant and the romantic lead). Berlin complied and came up with this incredible counterpoint duet. It’s one of the rare male/female musical duets that ISN’T a love song—just an older, wiser woman offering some sage advice. I love it! :D
@shelleywantiez7964
This score is perfect and priceless. Both Ethel and Donald did this song a huge favor. Their blend is outstanding. Not easy either to land on certain parts the way they did.
@calebgreen3554
What great insight, thanks for sharing
@lauraorem1276
Donald O'Connor is underappreciated as a singer. He had a lovely tenor, and look at him here matching the great Ethel Merman note for note. One of the most wonderful moments in American musical film.