The group remained popular throughout the 50s and early 60s, releasing a wide array of successful albums, movie and television appearances and performing countless sold-out concerts. The band eventually lost mainstream attention with the emergence of the British pop bands of the 1960s, even though they managed to stay together even after the retirement of final original member Bob Flanigan in 1992.
New lineups of the Four Freshmen have continued the legendary vocal tradition of the original band, while adding new touches. In 2000 the group won Down Beat magazine's reader's poll award for Vocal Group of the Year, proving the quartet's prominence in the jazz world today.
Nancy
Four Freshmen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gee what a thrill, each time I kiss her
Believe me, I've got a case
On Nancy, with the laughing face
She takes the winter and makes it summer
But summer could take some lessons from her
Picture a tomboy in lace
Did you ever hear mission bells ringing
Well she'll give you the very same glow
When she speaks you would think it was singing
Just hear her say hello
I swear to goodness, you can't resist her
Sorry for you she has no sister
No angel could replace
Nancy, with the laughing face
Keep Betty Grable, Lamour, and Turner
She makes my heart a charcoal burner
It's heaven when I embrace
My Nancy with the laughin' face
In the first set of lyrics of the Four Freshmen's song "Nancy with the Laughing Face," the singer describes how much he misses seeing Nancy each day and how kissing her gives him a thrill. He confesses that he has developed a strong affection for Nancy and calls it a "case." The second set of lyrics describes how Nancy can transform winter to summer, referring to her sunny personality. The description of Nancy as a tomboy in lace suggests that she has beauty and wears feminine clothing, but is not overly concerned with her appearance.
The bridge of the song refers to the sound of mission bells ringing, as Nancy's voice is just as enchanting to the singer. He cannot resist her and remarks that there is no one like her, not even her sisters. The song ends with the singer declaring his love and describing how Nancy puts some of the most beautiful actresses of the time, such as Betty Grable, to shame with her allure. He finds the feeling of embracing Nancy to be heavenly.
Overall, "Nancy with the Laughing Face" is a beautiful love song that describes the power of Nancy's personality and how it attracts the singer to her. The lyrics mention how Nancy can brighten up a room with her laughter and how beautiful she is both inside and out.
Line by Line Meaning
If I don't see her each day, I miss her
The singer is constantly thinking about Nancy and feels incomplete without her daily presence in their life.
Gee what a thrill, each time I kiss her
The singer is deeply in love with Nancy and cherishes their intimate moments together.
Believe me, I've got a case
The singer is completely enamored with Nancy and has strong feelings of love and attraction towards her.
On Nancy, with the laughing face
The singer is referring to Nancy's joyful and happy demeanor, which brings light and happiness to their life.
She takes the winter and makes it summer
Nancy's positive energy and cheerful nature brings warmth and brightness to even the coldest, darkest days, making everything feel like summertime.
But summer could take some lessons from her
Even though summer is typically thought of as the happiest and sunniest season, Nancy's infectious joy and laughter surpasses that of any summer day.
Picture a tomboy in lace
Nancy's playful and fun-loving nature is contrasted with her feminine and elegant appearance, adding to her charm.
That's Nancy with the laughing face
Once again, the singer is referencing Nancy's infectious laughter and happy smile, which make her so irresistible and attractive.
Did you ever hear mission bells ringing
The singer is drawing a comparison between the joy and excitement of hearing mission bells ringing and the feeling of being around Nancy.
Well she'll give you the very same glow
Nancy's presence is so uplifting and positive that she can make anyone feel as good as they do when they hear the sound of mission bells ringing.
When she speaks you would think it was singing
The sound of Nancy's voice is so melodious and pleasing to the singer that it feels like she is singing with every word she speaks.
Just hear her say hello
Even a simple greeting from Nancy can bring such warmth and joy that it feels like a beautiful melody to the singer.
I swear to goodness, you can't resist her
The singer is so deeply in love with Nancy that they can't imagine anyone not finding her irresistibly charming and attractive.
Sorry for you she has no sister
The singer acknowledges that Nancy is so special and unique that no one else comes close to comparing to her, and expresses pity for those who cannot experience her presence in their life.
No angel could replace
The singer believes that Nancy is so perfect and wonderful that even if an angel were to come down from heaven, they couldn't take her place in the singer's heart.
Nancy, with the laughing face
The song ends with the repeated reference to Nancy's joyous and happy demeanor, which is the defining quality that the singer loves the most about her.
Keep Betty Grable, Lamour, and Turner
The singer is saying that even though Betty Grable, Dorothy Lamour, and Lana Turner were well-known pin-up girls of the time, they don't compare to the singer's love for Nancy.
She makes my heart a charcoal burner
The singer is saying that Nancy's love for them is so intense and strong that it ignites a fiery passion in their heart, like a charcoal burner.
It's heaven when I embrace
The singer feels such deep love and connection when they are wrapped up in Nancy's arms that it feels like they are in heaven.
My Nancy with the laughin' face
The singer ends the song by once again emphasizing Nancy's joyful and happy demeanor, which is the defining quality that captured the singer's heart and inspired the song.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JIMMY VAN HEUSEN, PHIL SILVERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jymster46
I'm so glad you liked it! Story goes that it was written for Nancy Sinatra and I am sure it is posted on YT with her as the theme. I thought I would honor Mrs. Carroll with this pretty song...sung so beautifully by The Four Freshmen. Thanks you so much for watching and for leaving such a nice comment! Jim
LoveTheOConnor
Gorgeous video, Jim!! The Freshman are great, and your photographs of lovely Ms. Carroll are wonderful! That's a very young Gary Cooper, too, yes? Thanks so much for sharing! I hope you're managing to stay cool :)
camerrill
Thank you for posting this album, one of my earliest and best memories. I loved you guys....
Jymster46
Hi Heather! I'm so glad you liked the song and video! Yes, that is a photo of Ms. Carroll and Mr. Cooper from the 1928 film "The Shopworn Angel". I have not seen the movie but I hope to some day. Thank you so much for watching, listening and commenting! It's a Hot one for sure! I'm golfing in it tomorrow! Ha! It's supposed to get to 99 degrees here! Mercy!! Jim
John Smith
Great Jimmy van Heusen number, with a lyricist I had forgotten - Phil Silvers. Talented guy, old Sarge. Anyway, many thanks for bringing back those yesterdays, not least Nancy Carroll ( I recognised the face but not the name, but hey, I'm old and over the hill!).
Belated Happy New Year to Jim and all you sentimentalists listening in ...
Jymster46
Happy new year to you as well, John. Music that was divinely inspired. Many hours of enjoyment for me. Thank you so much for your great comment!
Jim
Shutter Fly
Three of the Four Freshmen's wives were named Nancy... Nancy Sue Barbour, Nancy Albers, Nancy Brown.
Willco5114
Phil Silvers (Sgt. Bilko of old time tv) has lyric credit on this song.
LoveTheOConnor
I hope you get to see it, too!! Ooh, be careful tomorrow--don't make me worry! :) It's around that here today, too...mercy is right!