She was born in Hungary to professional musician parents who toured worldwide. Educated in Switzerland, she studied piano before joining her parents on tour as The Three Hugos. When World War II was declared, the family left England with the Boswell Circus. She married, and as Eve Boswell became a popular singing star in South Africa.
In 1949, she was heard by bandleader Geraldo (Gerald Bright), who persuaded her to return to the United Kingdom as a singer in his band, which was widely heard on BBC Radio. Boswell parted with Geraldo in 1952, and launched a solo career. Her first hit record came that year with "Sugar Bush", partly sung in Afrikaans. She appeared in the Royal Variety Performance and toured widely with comedian Derek Roy, before getting her own radio show in 1954.
Her major chart hit came with "Pickin' a Chicken", a South African tune with new words, which rose to No 9 on the UK Singles Chart at the start of 1956. Her first LP, Sugar and Spice, on which she sang 10 songs in nine different languages, followed later in the year. A continuous programme of radio work and tours followed, leading to more than one mental breakdown.
She faded from public view as public tastes for pop music changed through the late 1950s and 1960s, eventually returning to live in South Africa.
Heat Wave
Eve Boswell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
The song "Heat Wave" by Eve Boswell is about a woman who is causing a heatwave with her sexy dancing. The lyrics are a metaphor comparing the woman's movements to the rising temperature. The song describes how the woman's movements and anatomy make the thermometer rise, creating a tropical heatwave. The song also makes references to different places such as Vincent, Guadeloupe, Santo Domingo, and Jamaica - all known for their hot weather.
The opening lines of "Oh! We're having a heatwave, a tropical heatwave, the temperature's rising, it isn't surprising" sets the tone for the song, suggesting that the heatwave is a result of the woman's seductive dance. The lyrics also refer to the woman's anatomy making the mercury rise to 93, indicating a strong sexual undertone. The use of onomatopoeia with "gee, gee" and "oh, can-can" adds to the energy of the song and compliments the theme of dancing and movement.
Through the song, we can see how the woman has started a heatwave by letting her "seat wave" - a suggestive reference to her buttocks. The customers at the venue are enraptured by her can-can dance, and it is clear that she is an excellent dancer. The repetition of the chorus creates the effect of building heat, making it easy for the listener to feel the electricity in the atmosphere.
Some interesting facts about the song include that it was first performed by Marilyn Monroe in the 1954 film "There's No Business Like Show Business." Other artists who have covered the song include Ella Fitzgerald, Ethel Merman, and The Supremes. The song was also featured in the video game "L.A. Noire" and in the TV show "Gilmore Girls." The lyrics use a lot of wordplay and puns, such as "Vincent 95, Guadeloupe 97, Santo Domingo 99, Pardon me? 105?" which creates a lighthearted tone. The song has been described as a classic example of the big band genre, and the use of brass and percussion instruments throughout the song adds to the energetic and lively vibe. Overall, "Heat Wave" is a fun and flirty song that celebrates dancing and the power of a woman's seductive movements.
Chords: The chords for this song are not available since the original arrangement is done by the band.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh! We're having a heatwave, a tropical heatwave
It's really hot out here and the weather is quite tropical
The temperature's rising, it isn't surprising
It's not a surprise that the temperature is increasing
She certainly can can-can
She's a great dancer who can do the can-can very well
She started a heatwave by letting her seat wave
People got excited and hot seeing her dance and move in a particular way
In such a way that the customers say
Customers were so impressed with her that they commented on her skills
Gee,gee! Her anatomy makes the mercury rise to 93
Wow, her body is so hot that it's even affecting the thermometer
Having a heatwave, a tropical heatwave, the way that she moves
Her movements and dancing are contributing to the hot weather
That thermometer proves that she certainly can
The thermometer is evidence of how hot she is making things
(What's your name honey? Pablo), certainly can
Even someone named Pablo could dance as well as she does
(Chico, Miguelito, Pablo, Chico, Miguelito) oh, can-can
The can-can is being repeated over and over
Pablo, it's saying here in the weather report
Someone named Pablo is reading the weather report
It's saying a fairly warm air is moving in from (Where?) Jamaica
The report indicates that warm air is coming from Jamaica
Moderately high air pressure will cover the NE and (where else?)
The Deep South
There will be high air pressure in the Northeast and Southern United States
Small danger of (what?) Fruit frost!
The risk of frost affecting fruit is low
Hot and humid nights can be expected
Nights will be hot and humid
Vincent 95, Guadeloupe 97, Santo Domingo 99, Pardon me? 105?
Temperatures will be high in different places
I started this heatwave in such a way
She believes she's the reason for the heatwave
That the customers say that I certainly can can-can
Customers appreciate her dance moves
The man who need makes the mercury rise to 93
Even men like her are making things hotter
We're having a heatwave, a tropical heatwave
It's hot and tropical out here, people
The way that I move, that thermometer grooves
Her movements are affecting the thermometer
She certainly certainly certainly can
She definitely knows how to dance and make things hot
I certainly, certainly, certainly can can-can
She can do the can-can very well
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: IRVING BERLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gareth Dawkins
Thank you for posting, great version of this song with super arrangement from I think Tony Osborne