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.
Tika Tika Tok
Eve Boswell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tika-tika-tok, tika-tika-tok
We squeeze and then my knees begin to knock
Tika-tika-tok, tika-tika-tok
We kiss and bells go ting-a-ling
I wonder what makes them ring
We kisss and kiss so many times
I wonder, wonder what I'll do
When we have to part
I know, I know what I'll do
Leave you with my heart
Then you can hear it tika-tika-tok, tika-tika-tok
Like a cuckoo clock
I'll count the minutes tika-tika-tok
Until we meet again
You make my heart go tika-tika-tok
Tika-tika-tok, tika-tika-tok
We squeeze and then my knees begin to knock
Tika-tika-tok, tika-tika-tok
We kiss and bells go ding-a-ling
Wonder what makes them ring
We kiss and kiss so many times
I hear wedding chimes
I wonder, wonder what I'll do
When we have to part
I know, I know what I'll do
I'll leave you with my heart
Then you can hear it tika-tika-tok, tika-tika-tok
Like a cuckoo clock
I'll count the minutes tika-tika-tok
Until we meet again
The song "Tika Tika Tok" is a playful and romantic tune by Eve Boswell. The lyrics are centered around the joy and excitement of being with someone you love. The repeated phrase "tika-tika-tok" represents the sound of a clock ticking, symbolizing the passing of time.
In the opening lines, Boswell sings "You make my heart go tika-tika-tok" which references the physical sensation of being with someone she loves. When they touch or kiss, her knees begin to knock, and she hears wedding chimes in her head. The lyrics convey the excitement and anticipation of the future, while also acknowledging that eventually, they will have to part.
As the song progresses, Boswell ponders what she will do when they have to say goodbye. She decides she will leave her heart with him and count the minutes until they meet again. Overall, the lyrics are filled with innocence and optimism, representing the joy of young love.
Line by Line Meaning
You make my heart go tika-tika-tok
Your presence and affection make my heart beat frantically with excitement and anticipation
Tika-tika-tok, tika-tika-tok
The sound that represents the rhythm of my heart beat
We squeeze and then my knees begin to knock
When we embrace, my body trembles with nervousness and pleasure
We kiss and bells go ting-a-ling
Our kisses create a magical and romantic moment that feels like bells are ringing in celebration
I wonder what makes them ring
I'm curious and fascinated about how strong and intense our connection and chemistry are
We kiss and kiss so many times
Our mutual attraction is so strong that we can't get enough of each other's kisses
I hear wedding chimes
Our love is so genuine and passionate that I can hear the sound of wedding bells in the future
I wonder, wonder what I'll do
I'm uncertain and anxious about our eventual separation
When we have to part
When our time together comes to an end
I know, I know what I'll do
I have a plan to deal with the pain of our separation
Leave you with my heart
I'll leave behind my love and affection for you
Then you can hear it tika-tika-tok, tika-tika-tok
Even when we're apart, my heart will continue to beat with the sound of our love
Like a cuckoo clock
As consistent and reliable as a clock's ticking
I'll count the minutes tika-tika-tok
I'll eagerly anticipate the moment when we can be together again
Until we meet again
Until the time when we can reunite and revel in the intensity of our love once again
Contributed by Owen M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.