Kelly was known for his energetic and athletic dancing style, his good looks and the likeable characters that he played on screen.
Although he is known today for his performances in An American in Paris (1951) and Singin' in the Rain (1952), he was a dominant force in Hollywood musical films from the mid-1940s until this art form fell out of fashion in the late 1950s. His many innovations transformed the Hollywood musical film, and he is credited with almost single-handedly making the ballet form commercially acceptable to film audiences.
Kelly was the recipient of an Academy Honorary Award in 1952 for his career achievements. He later received lifetime achievement awards in the Kennedy Center Honors (1982), and from the Screen Actors Guild and American Film Institute; in 1999, the American Film Institute also numbered him 15th in their Greatest Male Stars of All Time list.
Better known as a dancer and movie star than a singer, Gene Kelly nevertheless turned in memorable vocal performances in the context of his movies, the MGM musicals of the 1940s and 1950s.
Kelly rose to fame on Broadway before making his Hollywood debut with "For Me and My Gal" in 1942. Kelly's light, high vocals are distinctive, and he acted even as he sang, sometimes letting his voice crack at a pivotal moment (as in his vocal for the title number in "Singin' in the Rain"). In addition to reinterpreting classics by the likes of George Gershwin, Kelly introduced a few standards, including "Be a Clown" from the film "The Pirate" and "Long Ago and Far Away" from "Cover Girl." He also performed duets with such luminaries as Judy Garland and Frank Sinatra.
If You Knew Susie
Gene Kelly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the words of Shakespeare she's a "wow"
Though all of you may know her, too
I'd like to shout right now
Suzie has a perfect reputation
No one ever saw her on a spree
Nobody knows where Susie goes
If you knew Susie, like I know Susie
Oh! Oh! Oh! What a girl
There's none so classy
As this fair lassie
Oh! Oh! Holy Moses, what a chassis
We went riding, she didn't balk
Back from Yonkers
I'm the one that had to walk
If you knew Susie, like I know Susie
Oh! Oh! What a girl!
If you knew Susie, like I know Susie
Oh! Oh! Oh! What a girl
She wears long tresses
And nice tight dresses
Oh! Oh!
What a future she possesses
Out in public
How she can yawn
In a parlour, you would think the war was on
If you knew Susie, like I know Susie
Oh! Oh! What a girl!
The song "If You Knew Susie" by Gene Kelly is an upbeat and lively tune that describes Susie, a girl whom the singer has affection for. The first line of the song establishes that Susie is the singer's "sweetie," and he immediately follows that with a reference to William Shakespeare, calling her a "wow" in the Bard's words. The song continues with the singer making the claim that although Susie is well-known to many people, he is the only one who knows where she goes when she is not in public. He then launches into the catchy refrain, inviting the listener to imagine how wonderful Susie is and how lucky he is to know her.
The lyrics of the song can be interpreted as a playful and affectionate ode to a particular girl, but they also reflect a broader cultural moment. The song was written in the 1920s, a period in American history known for its exuberance and excess, and references to Susie's "chassis" and tight dresses were likely intended to evoke the newfound freedom of women during this time. Additionally, the song's upbeat and optimistic tone was shared by many people during this period, as the nation was enjoying unprecedented prosperity and technological advances.
Line by Line Meaning
I have got a sweetie known as Susie
I am in a romantic relationship with a woman named Susie
In the words of Shakespeare she's a "wow"
Susie is an incredibly attractive and impressive woman, like a Shakespearean heroine
Though all of you may know her, too
Others may also be acquainted with Susie
I'd like to shout right now
I am so enamored with Susie that I want to publicly proclaim my love for her
Suzie has a perfect reputation
Susie has a flawless public image
No one ever saw her on a spree
Susie has never been seen engaging in wild or reckless behavior
Nobody knows where Susie goes
Susie's whereabouts are unknown to the general public
Nobody knows but me
I am the only person who knows where Susie goes or what she does in her spare time
If you knew Susie, like I know Susie
I believe that if others were as familiar with Susie as I am, they would be just as impressed and enamored
Oh! Oh! Oh! What a girl
Susie is truly remarkable and impressive
There's none so classy
Susie is the epitome of elegance and sophistication
As this fair lassie
Susie is a beautiful and charming woman
Oh! Oh! Holy Moses, what a chassis
Susie has a stunning figure
We went riding, she didn't balk
Susie is adventurous and unafraid of new experiences
Back from Yonkers
Returning from a trip to a town called Yonkers
I'm the one that had to walk
I had to walk back while Susie rode, perhaps implying that she is more privileged or deserving of special treatment
She wears long tresses
Susie has long, flowing hair
And nice tight dresses
Susie wears flattering, form-fitting clothing
What a future she possesses
Susie has great potential for success and happiness
Out in public
In public settings
How she can yawn
Susie is unafraid to be herself and behave in a relaxed or casual way in public
In a parlour, you would think the war was on
Susie is energetic and lively even in more formal social settings
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: B.G. Desylva, Joseph Meyer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@KalocsaiTamas
If you knew Susie like we know Susie
Oh oh oh what a gal
She's not so choosy
No, not our Susie
Oh oh... Susie is a lollapaloosie
When Susie kisses
She never fails
When Susie kisses
She takes the wind right out of your sails
So in conclusion
...beware of Susanne
Oh oh oh what a gal
S is for Sincerity - which she's got none of
U is for... you know what I mean
S is for Sincerity - which she's got none of
I is for the Irish in her smile - heeeer Iiiiiriiish smiiiiile
E is for her eagerness to please us - that is how she won her navy E!
Put them all together
They spell Su-uh-uh-uh-su-sie
The sweetheart of the boys at sea
Oh that Susie
She's a douzie
She's not choosy
You won't losey
Don't care whosy
I mean you see
You'll get woozy
After just one date with Susie
When you take her home about ten
Another gob is waiting there to take our Susie out again
So in conclusy
Beware of Susie
She belong to you and you and me (and the US Navy)
S-S-U-S-U-SS-U-S-I-S-U-S-I-E
@random_duck1
Iif you knew Susie, as we know Susie,
Oh, oh, oh what a gal .
She's not so choosy, no, not our Susie,
Oh, oh, Susie is a lot of balusie.
When Susie kisses, it never fails,
When Susie kisses, she takes the wind
Right out of your sails.
In conclusion, beware of Sus-ion,
Oh, oh, oh what a gal.
S - is for sincerity which she's got none of.
U - is for you know what I mean.
S - is for sincerity which she's got none of.
I - is for the Irish in her smile. her Irish smile.
E - is for her eagerness to please us,
That is how she wants her Navy-eee.
Put them all together, and they spell Su hu hu hu sie,
The sweetheart of all the boys at sea.
Oh that Susie, she's a two-sie,
She's not choosy, you won't losie,
Don't care who she, I mean you-sie,
you'll get woosy, after just one day with Susie.
When you take her home about ten,
Another guy is waiting there to take out Susie out again.
So when you choose she, beware of Susie
She's just much for you , and you and me, and the U.S.Navy
S S-U-S-U-S S-U-S-I S-U-S I-E
@MultiFutureDirector
Speechless. The talent is incredible. Such as shame there are not films like this anymore...Frank and Gene= Hollywood at it's BEST.
@lenhummel5614
Frank, Bing, Astaire, Gene, Danny Kaye, Donald O'Connor, ... THE GREATEST❗🎯💯
@kroakie4
Don’t forget James Stewart, Clark Gable, and Carey Grant!
@gatsbymaguire
Bogart, anyone?
@susanlloyd7395
I love how Gene Kelly brings out playfulness in Frank Sinatra.
@tiarailic4086
This is one of those songs that just gets totally stuck in your head!
@colinyork2215
It’s been stuck in my head for the last two days
@TheTransatlanticExchange
Fantastic! Absolute lyrical and melodic genius! Thanks so much for sharing yet another great clip from the great MGM musical era with Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly.
@triplethreat017
Haha, this video will always remain one of my favourite videos ever. From the first time I saw it, I knew it was epic. Like others, I love the line "So in conclusion... beware of susion!" haha :) This is one of my favourite movies ever, starring two of my favourite stars, Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly. Thank you so much for uploading it and allowing us fans of this amazing movie to re-watch it over and over again :)
@nessshirley6049
Always love this
Ness Shirley