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.
Pickin' a Chicken
Eve Boswell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We couldn't choose a better night if we tried
Can't you imagine what a thrill it will be
Pickin' a chicken with me
It's so romantic, the moon up above
Is extra bright on a night such as this
Pullin' a wishbone with someone you love
So come to the barbecue, my darling my dear
I'm so in love with you and when you are near
I get a feeling that forever you'll be
Pickin' a chicken with me
It's so romantic, the moon up above
Is extra bright on a night such as this,
Pullin' a wishbone with someone you love
Is almost certain to end with a kiss
So come to the barbecue, my darling my dear,
I'm so in love with you and when you are near
I get a feeling that forever you'll be
Pickin' a chicken with me
Pickin' a chicken with me
Pickin' a chicken with me
The lyrics of Eve Boswell's song "Pickin a Chicken" describe a romantic evening at a barbecue, where the couple spends time together bonding over food and each other's company. The singer invites her love interest to join her at the barbecue and imagines how much they will enjoy picking a chicken together. The image of the moon above and the setting of the scene add to the romantic atmosphere, making it the perfect time to pull a wishbone with the loved one, which is almost certain to end with a kiss.
The song's lyrics convey the joy and intimacy of shared culinary experiences and the pleasures of enjoying good food together. The song's title is a play on words, referring to the act of literally picking a chicken, as well as the figurative meaning of "picking," which can denote the act of choosing or selecting. The lyrics suggest that the couple has chosen each other as their romantic partners and are enjoying their time together.
Overall, "Pickin a Chicken" is a lighthearted love song that celebrates the simple pleasures of life, like sharing a meal with someone special.
Line by Line Meaning
Come to the barbecue and sit by my side
Join me at the barbecue and sit close to me
We couldn't choose a better night if we tried
This is the perfect night for us and we didn't even plan it
Can't you imagine what a thrill it will be
Just think how exciting it will be
Pickin' a chicken with me
Let's choose and cook a chicken together
It's so romantic, the moon up above
The moon adds to the romantic atmosphere
Is extra bright on a night such as this
It's especially bright tonight
Pullin' a wishbone with someone you love
Breaking a wishbone with your loved one
Is almost certain to end with a kiss
Usually results in a romantic kiss
So come to the barbecue, my darling my dear
Please come to the barbecue, my beloved
I'm so in love with you and when you are near
I feel so deeply in love when I'm with you
I get a feeling that forever you'll be
I believe we'll be together forever
Pickin' a chicken with me
Choosing and cooking a chicken together
Pickin' a chicken with me
Selecting and preparing a chicken together
Contributed by Julian N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@MrLowerlargo
John Thank-you for posting this Eve Boswell classic She was and will always be my favourite singer Seeing her live on stage was marvellous I love the photos
@charlesmancat7666
Back in 1968, my wife and I just married day's, were walking the footbridge in Perth, across the river Tay onto Moncreif Island, so in love (and we still are) and she burst out into spontaneous song, "Picking a Chicken", unknown to us both, some workmen below us on the Island side saw this live song and dance performance, and burst out into rapturous applause, whereupon in total embarrassment, Suzanne threw herself into my waiting arms. We now do the whole thing again every time we visit Perth. And if anyone wants to do the same, you have our permission, but you both must be in love.
@Roger.Coleman1949
This and Cookie, also by Eve Boswell, were the earliest ' Pop ' records I recall hearing on the BBC Light Programme , quite often when it was still very conservative in its popular music output , largely British light classical music mainly still played by live bands or a studio orchestra .Hard to believe nearly a decade before the Pirates that really gave us what we wanted to hear !.
@ianjdunlop8466
I like this chirpy novelty song, great to dance to in the kitchen while making dinner!
@thebigandchannel957
My granny would play this to me when I was a toddler. I’m 55 now. Lol.
@philipheath3307
Just played this for a bit of nostalgia, as it was in my mum’s collection of 78 rpm records, which I saw again tonight while clearing out the house. As kids, we played them to bits before we had many records of our own. along with the ballad of Davy Crockett, yellow rose or Texas and Frank Sinatra singing Love and Marriage, etc!
@janetgray8638
Oh dear, I’m sorry to say I remember this from my teens, early teens at that. So funny to listen to it now, it’s like 60 years just vanished.
@jenniferbate9682
This is a marvellous memory xx
@donaldcarr7513
Remember this catchy tune from the 60's. Loved her voice.
@hughmcfadden5791
It's from the Fifties, not the Sixties