Offered a record deal in 1989, the Holly Cole Trio released an EP, Christmas Blues, that year, which featured a version of The Pretenders' "2,000 Miles". This was followed by their first full album, Girl Talk, in 1990.
A succession of releases followed through the early 1990s. For example, 1991's Blame It On My Youth, covered songs by Tom Waits ("Purple Avenue", aka "Empty Pockets"), Lyle Lovett ("God Will"), includes show tunes such as "If I Were a Bell" (from Guys and Dolls) and "On the Street Where You Live" (from My Fair Lady), and even remakes "Trust In Me", from Disney's The Jungle Book, into a strikingly sultry and sinister song of seduction and death. Also recorded in this period was "Alison", a reinterpretation of Elvis Costello's original.
Following 1993's Don't Smoke in Bed, the trio released a CD entirely of songs by Tom Waits, called Temptation. With this 1995 release, the "Trio" was dropped from the group's name.
Que Sera Sera
Holly Cole Trio Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I asked my mother
What will I be
Will I be pretty
Will I be rich
Here's what she said to me
Que sera, sera
The future's not ours to see
Que sera, sera
What will be, will be
When I grew up and fell in love
I asked my sweetheart
What lies ahead
Will we have rainbows
Day after day
Here's what my sweetheart said
Que sera, sera
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours to see
Que sera, sera
What will be, will be
Now I have Children of my own
They ask their mother
What will I be
Will I be handsome
Will I be rich
I tell them tenderly
Que sera, sera
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours to see
Que sera, sera
What will be, will be
Que Sera, Sera
The Holly Cole Trio's rendition of the song "Que Sera, Sera" is a reflective tune that captures the cyclical nature of life. The lyrics are filled with nostalgia and feature the perspective of a woman who, as a young girl, asked her mother about her future. She wanted to know if she will be pretty or rich, and her mother's response was "que sera, sera," which means "whatever will be, will be." As the tune progresses, the woman falls in love and asks her partner about their future together. Again, the response is "que sera, sera." In the final verse, the woman is the mother, and her children are asking her the same question she once asked her mother. This time around, she tenderly responds with "que sera, sera." The song emphasizes the importance of living in the present, embracing one's destiny, and enjoying every moment of life.
The song was first introduced in the Alfred Hitchcock mystery thriller film "The Man Who Knew Too Much" (1956), where it was sung by actress Doris Day, who also starred in the film. The song was written by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans and won the 1956 Academy Award for Best Original Song. The song went on to become a popular hit in the United States, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was just a little girl
During my childhood
I asked my mother
I inquired from the person who nurtured me
What will I be
What's my fate
Will I be pretty
Will I be attractive
Will I be rich
Will I be wealthy
Here's what she said to me
Here was her response
Que sera, sera
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours to see
We have no control over what will happen
When I grew up and fell in love
When I matured and fell in love
I asked my sweetheart
I inquired from the person I fell in love with
What lies ahead
What is in store for us in the coming days
Will we have rainbows
Will we experience moments of happiness
Day after day
Consistently or frequently
Here's what my sweetheart said
Here's the response from my beloved
Now I have Children of my own
Now I am a parent myself
They ask their mother
My children inquire from me
Will I be handsome
Will I be good-looking
I tell them tenderly
I enlighten them affectionately
Que Sera, Sera
Whatever will be, will be
What will be, will be
The outcome is beyond our control
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAY LIVINGSTON, RAY EVANS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dignifyde
I first heard this as background music on "Northern Exposure" a TV show. I hunted for it all over and finally found out it was Holly Cole. She has done many old and semi old standards and she does the greatest job.
@TrulyJennyMorris
This also on an episode of Due South.
@josiahzabel8596
@@TrulyJennyMorris That's how I know it
@davechabun4635
Thanx I have heard versions of this this song retroactive to the beginning of time ! They all just rock.
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@mysticsoul888
THANK you so much for posting this, I LOVE this version with Holly Cole-it's awesome!
@MireyaMilan
Omg I love this version
@barehands007
Gorgeous.
@titoshairstudio
Love her voice...!!!
@Gonken88
Ahh a liitle bit of gin, ice, peanuts and this. I'm good with that 👌👌
@juliacropper5104
I had all her CD's now I had to hunt this down to hear it