Born Margaretha Keller, she studied dance from the age of 8 followed by acting classes. Her début was in "Pavillon" in Vienna. She also appeared on Stage with Marlene Dietrich in "Broadway", in which she sang and danced. A recording contract with Ultraphon in 1929 her singing took her from Vienna to Prague and Berlin, where she had a big success with Peter Igelhoff and Peter Kreuder. For over 45 years, through a life of triumphs and tragedies, her voice a legend-in radio shows, films, revues, concerts and musicals, but above all her records circled the globe. First called 'The Great Lady Of Chanson' in her native Vienna, it followed her to London and America.
Career
Her lieder voice carried the charm of the Parisian women but never lost the heart of the girl from Vienna. Greta's singing in what some call "a style reminiscent of Marlene Dietrich" comes from the fact she was the model for how Marlene Dietrich developed her own voice. Greta Keller made recordings throughout the world and from the earliest days of "schellack" to the dawn of CDs. She spent many years in the United States, notably in hotel club rooms at the Waldorf and (later) the Stanhope in New York, where her show always included "My Way", composed by Paul Anka, and a number of Noel Coward numbers. A 'singer's singer', Keller often drew other performers to the room, including the Nordstrom Sisters, Beverly Sills and Hildegarde. Other regulars would book the same table most nights that she was performing which included photographer Edgar de Evia. Favorites of the Stanhope crowd were the songs of Cole Porter and Noel Coward, for their sexual innuendo and double entendres. These included "Miss Otis Regrets" and "I'm the Other Woman in His Life" by her close friend Elisse Boyd. She regularly returned to Vienna. The poet and singer Rod McKuen was introduced by her to an audience in Vienna. McKuen, in turn ,hosted a concert presenting her at Lincoln Center in the 1970s, and wrote the lyric "If You Go Away" to Jacques Brel's "Ne Me Quitte Pas", which she always sang.
Greta's greatest strength was in her adaptability. Each song, took the caress in her voice in a unique way. Her repertoire included songs from the 1930s through the war years as well as popular songs of the day. A few years before her death, her voice appeared in the Academy Award-winning movie, Cabaret (1972), for which she sang the song, "Heirat" (Married). The last years of her life, from 1973 to her death in November 1977 Greta lived, worked, and traveled with the last great love of her life, Wolfgang Nebmaier, who now lives in Southern Oregon.
Filmography
• Mann, der seinen Mörder sucht, Der (1931) (uncredited) .... Singer... aka Jim, der Mann mit der Narbe (Germany)... aka Looking for His Murderer
• Lied vom Leben, Das (1931) .... Singer... aka Song of Life (USA: informal literal English title)
• Melodie der Liebe (1932) .... Singer... aka Right to Happiness (USA)
• Abenteurer von Paris, Der (1936) .... Cabaret Singer... aka The Paris Adventure (USA)
• Reunion in France (1942) (uncredited) .... Baroness von Steinkamp... aka Mademoiselle France (UK)... aka Reunion
• Herz spielt falsch, Ein (1953) .... Chansonniere/Cabaret Singer ... aka A Heart's Foul Play (International: English title)
• Blaue Stunde (1967) .... Singer
• Cabaret (1972) her voice was heard on a record as the singer of: "Heirat"
I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance With You
Greta Keller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I don't stand a ghost of a chance with you!
I thought at last I'd found you, but other lovers surround you
And "I don't stand a ghost of a chance with you!"
If you'd surrender just for a tender kiss or two
You might discover, that I'm the lover meant for you
And I'd be true, but what's the good of scheming
I know I must be dreaming
Greta Keller's song "I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance With You" is a heart-wrenching love song about unrequited love. The lyrics convey the singer's feelings of desperation and hopelessness as she realizes that she has little chance of winning the love of the person she desires. The opening lines, "I need your love so badly, I love you, oh, so madly" immediately set the tone for the rest of the song, with the singer baring her soul and declaring her deep affection for the object of her desire. However, she quickly acknowledges her lack of prospects with the line "But I don't stand a ghost of a chance with you!", recognizing that her chances of winning over the person she loves are slim to none.
The next few lines describe the singer's attempts to win over her love interest, but ultimately, she realizes that he is surrounded by other lovers, and she is left out in the cold. The song's title is repeated in the chorus, emphasizing the singer's hopelessness and frustration: "And 'I don't stand a ghost of a chance with you!'" She continues to hold out hope, imagining a scenario in which her love interest would give her a chance, but ultimately resigns herself to the fact that it is unlikely to happen: "But what's the good of scheming, I know I must be dreaming."
Overall, "I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance With You" is a poignant and relatable portrayal of the pain of unrequited love, with its devastatingly honest lyrics and melancholy melody.
Line by Line Meaning
I need your love so badly, I love you, oh, so madly
I am deeply in love with you and I long for your affection.
But I don't stand a ghost of a chance with you!
Unfortunately, my chances of winning your love are slim to none.
I thought at last I'd found you, but other lovers surround you
I believed I had finally found you, but it seems that there are other people vying for your affection as well.
And 'I don't stand a ghost of a chance with you!'
This reinforces the notion that my chances of being chosen by you are non-existent.
If you'd surrender just for a tender kiss or two
Perhaps if you gave me a chance and allowed me to show you affection, you might be more open to my advances.
You might discover, that I'm the lover meant for you
If you gave me the opportunity, you may realize that I am the person who is meant for you.
And I'd be true, but what's the good of scheming
I would be loyal and faithful to you, but it is pointless for me to try to manipulate or deceive you.
I know I must be dreaming
I understand that these dreams of being with you are unrealistic and unlikely to come true.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bing Crosby, Ned Washington, Victor Popular Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Toby Worthington
Thanks for this particular treat!
However , you might wish to correct the title to read Ghost of A CHANCE...not 'change'.
Finnigan's Music 1
Thanks Toby! I correct it.