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"
Thanks for the Memories
Greta Keller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of sentimental verse,
Nothing in my purse,
And chuckles
When the preacher said
For better or for worse,
How lovely it was.
Of Schubert's Serenade,
Little things of jade
And traffic jams
And anagrams
And bills we never paid,
How lovely it was.
We who could laugh over big things
Were parted by only a slight thing.
I wonder if we did the right thing,
Oh, well, that's life, I guess,
I love your dress.
Thanks for the memory
Of faults that you forgave,
Of rainbows on a wave,
And stockings in the basin
When a fellow needs a shave,
Thank you so much.
Thanks for the memory
Of tinkling temple bells,
Alma mater yells
And Cuban rum
And towels from
The very best hotels,
Oh how lovely it was.
Thanks for the memory
Of cushions on the floor,
Hash with Dinty Moore,
That pair of gay pajamas
That you bought
And never wore.
We said goodbye with a highball,
Then I got as high as a steeple,
But we were intelligent people,
No tears, no fuss,
Hooray for us.
Strictly entire nous,
Darling, how are you?
And how are all
Those little dreams
That never did come true?
Awfully glad I met you,
Cheerio and toodle-oo
Thank you,
Thank you so much.
Greta Keller's hit song "Thanks for the Memories" is a reflection on past memories, including both the good and the bad times. The lyrics shared a sense of nostalgia as Keller reminisces about the little things that made their relationships so special. Each verse seems to focus on certain memories of the past, such as the sentimental verse, Schubert's Serenade, and the chuckles they had when the preacher said, "for better or for worse."
Keller uses the song to show how despite the ups and downs of life, one can always look back and appreciate the good moments shared with people. The lyrics reveal that despite their parting, they did so amicably and with no tears or fuss. The final verse of the song presents a sense of closure when Keller asks about the little dreams that never came true, showing that time makes us appreciate the people we met along the way, no matter how insignificant.
Overall, the song Thanks for the Memories is a bittersweet tribute to reminiscing the past and appreciating the little things that define life.
Line by Line Meaning
Thanks for the memory
Of sentimental verse,
Thank you for the memories of sentimental poetry
Nothing in my purse,
And chuckles
When the preacher said
For better or for worse,
How lovely it was.
Although I had no money, I remember laughing during the ceremony when the preacher talked about our future together, and how beautiful it all seemed.
Thanks for the memory
Of Schubert's Serenade,
Little things of jade
And traffic jams
And anagrams
And bills we never paid,
How lovely it was.
Thank you for the memories of listening to Schubert's Serenade, playing with little trinkets, getting stuck in traffic jams, solving anagrams, and ignoring unpaid bills. It was all so wonderful.
We who could laugh over big things
Were parted by only a slight thing.
I wonder if we did the right thing,
Oh, well, that's life, I guess,
I love your dress.
We used to laugh about the big things in life, but then we were split apart by something small. I often wonder if we made the right decisions. Oh well, I suppose that's just the way life goes. But I do still love your dress.
Thanks for the memory
Of faults that you forgave,
Of rainbows on a wave,
And stockings in the basin
When a fellow needs a shave,
Thank you so much.
Thank you for the memories of forgiving my faults, seeing rainbows on the ocean, and washing your stockings while I shave. Thank you very much.
Thanks for the memory
Of tinkling temple bells,
Alma mater yells
And Cuban rum
And towels from
The very best hotels,
Oh how lovely it was.
Oh how lovely it was to hear the tinkling of temple bells, cheers from my alma mater, and enjoy Cuban rum and towels from the finest hotels. Thank you for those memories.
Thanks for the memory
Of cushions on the floor,
Hash with Dinty Moore,
That pair of gay pajamas
That you bought
And never wore.
Thank you for the memories of sitting on cushions on the floor, eating hash with Dinty Moore, and that pair of cheerful pajamas you bought and never wore.
We said goodbye with a highball,
Then I got as high as a steeple,
But we were intelligent people,
No tears, no fuss,
Hooray for us.
We said goodbye with a drink, and then I got extremely drunk, but we were intelligent enough not to cry or make a scene. Bravo for us.
Strictly entire nous,
Darling, how are you?
And how are all
Those little dreams
That never did come true?
As a matter of formality, my dear, how are you? And what about all those little dreams of ours that never quite came true?
Awfully glad I met you,
Cheerio and toodle-oo
Thank you,
Thank you so much.
I am truly grateful to have met you. Goodbye and thank you so much.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Leo Robin, Ralph Rainger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Trombonology Erstwhile
When I saw the song title, I guessed your personal theme. How sweet that you and Barbara actually sang this one together -- so it will always be a fond reminder. This is a lovely treatment -- one of the best I've heard of this wonderful song. Thank you for sharing and all good thoughts to you, Grzegorz.
240252
+Trombonology Erstwhile Thank you, Elisabeth. I'm sure Barbcard would be delighted to see being celebrated with two songs: one by Ordonowna and one by Greta Keller. She loved both of them.
Janette Walker
One of my favourite singers and your dedication and memories are very special.
Redcoat‘s Return
Greta‘s English was perfect! Beautifully sung! If only....only...I could go back....back....to her!
Carmen Forte Sr.
Wonderful song, it allows you to reflect on days gone bye.
genia106
BEAUTIFUL!
Barbara left you a lot of WONDERFUL memories. :-)
240252
+genia106 ...and she will not be forgotten. Thank you, Genia :-)
Peter Schiro
seit vielen Jahren eines meines Lieblingslieder - und je älter ich selbst werde, gefällt es mir immer besser...
tango3721
Hello Grzegorz and everybody who "clicks" here - they lyrics are absolutely fantastic in terms of the phrases like "the power of the little dreams which never come true" and so on. Greta Keller's voice and delivery - of course - make the lyrics - terrific.The music also enriches this piece with your beautiful artwork underscoring this upload. The whole piece accurately reflects the moments of sharing the memories which resonate with all of us - who know love. Barb would love it. She is smiling from heaven. Have a great new week - Grzegorz and all of us! It's cold but sunny around here - in my hilly vicinity of New York City!
240252
+tango3721 Hi Lana, there are dozens of other wonderfuyla lines. such as, for example: that pair of gay pajamas that you bought and never wore... or: the stockings in the basin when a fellow needs a shave... The whole dictionary can be completed of those phrases! They always made us laugh and cry, especially after brandy. .