She was born Gisèle Marie-Louise Marguerite LaFlèche in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and studied violin and voice at the Royal Conservatory in Toronto, Ontario. She had her own Canadian Broadcasting Corporation radio program, Meet Gisèle, before moving to Los Angeles, California in 1951.
MacKenzie recorded albums and 45rpm singles on various record labels, most notably Capitol and RCA. Her biggest selling song was "Hard To Get" in 1955.
MacKenzie was an accomplished violinist and performed many comedic musical duets with mentor Jack Benny. She sang frequently on early television shows such as The Jack Benny Program and The Ed Sullivan Show. She appeared often at Las Vegas venues and in numerous North America concerts.
In the U.S., she appeared on radio on such stars' programs as Bob Crosby and Mario Lanza. She also hosted a radio show entitled Airtime.
In 1952 and 1953 she toured with Benny, who recommended her for Your Hit Parade. During her tenure on that show, "Hard to Get" became a hit. MacKenzie appeared on the show for several years, finally leaving in 1957 to head her own short-lived variety program, The Gisèle MacKenzie Show. She returned to television in 1963 on The Sid Caesar Show and was a panelist on many quiz programs.
In later years MacKenzie performed widely in musical theater in such shows as Mame, Gypsy, The Sound of Music, and Hello, Dolly! She turned to acting in the 1990s, making guest appearances on television series including Murder, She Wrote and MacGyver.
MacKenzie has a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame at 1601 Vine.
She died from colon cancer, aged 76, in 2003. Her daughter is contemporary jazz artist Gigi MacKenzie.
Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart
Gisele Mackenzie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It haunted me from the start
Something inside of me started a symphony
Zing! Went the strings of my heart
'Twas like a breath of spring, heard a robin sing
About a nest set apart
All nature seemed to be in perfect harmony
Your eyes made skies blue again
What else could I do again
Keep repeating through again
"I love you, love you"
I still recall the thrill, guess I always will
I hope 'twill never depart
All nature seemed to be in perfect harmony
Zing! Went the strings of my heart
Your eyes made skies blue again
What else could I do again?
Keep repeating through again
"I love you, I do love you"
I still recall the thrill, I guess that I always will
I hope 'twill never depart
All nature seemed to be in perfect harmony
Zing! Went the strings of my heart
"Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart" by Gisele Mackenzie is a song filled with the euphoria of falling in love. The singer describes the moment when their romantic interest smiled at them, and a beautiful melody seemed to echo in their mind. This melody captivated them from the very beginning, stirring something deep within their heart, symbolized by the "zing" sound of the strings of a heart being struck. The metaphorical symphony that starts within them represents the emotional rush and overwhelming joy that love can bring.
The lyrics continue to paint a vivid picture of the singer's emotional state, likening the experience to a rejuvenating breath of spring and the sweet song of a robin. The idea of nature being in perfect harmony emphasizes the feelings of completeness and contentment that come with being in love. The repetition of the phrase "Zing! Went the strings of my heart" underscores the intensity and passion of the singer's emotions, as if each mention of the sound is a reminder of the love that has swept them off their feet.
The mention of the beloved's eyes making the skies blue again suggests a sense of renewal and optimism brought about by their presence. The singer finds themselves unable to resist expressing their love, continually declaring their affection and devotion. The thrill of falling in love is described as unforgettable, a moment that they believe will stay with them always. The hope that this feeling of harmony and love will never fade shows the singer's desire for a lasting and fulfilling connection with their beloved.
In conclusion, "Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart" is a heartfelt expression of the overwhelming joy and rapture of falling deeply in love. The imagery of nature in harmony, the rejuvenating effect of the beloved's presence, and the insistent declaration of love all come together to create a vivid portrayal of the intensity and beauty of romantic feelings. The song captures the essence of being swept away by love's magic, with each "zing" of the heartstrings resonating with the powerful emotions that come with newfound love.
Line by Line Meaning
Dear when you smiled at me, I heard a melody
When you smiled at me, I felt a sense of joy and happiness
It haunted me from the start
That feeling stayed with me continuously
Something inside of me started a symphony
My emotions began to create a beautiful music
Zing! Went the strings of my heart
My heartstrings were suddenly struck with a delightful feeling
'Twas like a breath of spring, heard a robin sing
It felt as refreshing as a spring breeze and the sweet song of a robin
About a nest set apart
A special place where love can blossom
All nature seemed to be in perfect harmony
Everything in the world felt balanced and in sync
Your eyes made skies blue again
With your gaze, life felt bright and beautiful
What else could I do again
There was nothing else I could think of doing
Keep repeating through again
I couldn't stop expressing
"I love you, love you"
"My love for you is strong and true"
I still recall the thrill, guess I always will
That excitement remains with me and likely always will
I hope 'twill never depart
I pray that this feeling never fades away
Zing! Went the strings of my heart
My heartstrings were once again filled with joy
I hope 'twill never depart
I wish for this blissful feeling to stay forever
All nature seemed to be in perfect harmony
The world felt like a harmonious and peaceful place
Zing! Went the strings of my heart
My heartstrings were resonating with happiness once more
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: James F. Hanley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind