Staunton is a three-time recipient of Britain's highest theatre honour, the Olivier Award, for roles in A Chorus of Disapproval (1985), The Corn Is Green (1985), and Into the Woods (1991), and was nominated for her performance as Miss Adelaide in the 1996 revival of Guys and Dolls at The National Theatre. She began to receive international attention in 1993 for her performance as Margaret in the Kenneth Branagh production of William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. Other film appearances include Peter's Friends (1992), Twelfth Night (1996) (playing Maria), Chicken Run (2000) (as the voice of Bunty) and Bright Young Things (2003).
In 1993 she appeared on the small screen alongside Richard Briers and Adrian Edmondson in If You See God, Tell Him. She has had other television parts in The Singing Detective (1986) and the comedy drama series Is It Legal? (1995-8). She was a voice artist on Mole's Christmas (1994).
On radio, she has appeared in the title role of detective drama series Julie Enfield Investigates, as the lead, Izzy Comyn, in the comedy Up the Garden Path (which later moved to ITV with Staunton reprising the role), as Mrs. Blatherwick, the vile cook in Nanny McPhee, and in Diary of a Provincial Lady (from 1999) and Acropolis Now.
Staunton shared a Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Performance by a Cast in 1998 for Shakespeare in Love. In 2004, she received the Best Actress honors at the European Film Awards, the BAFTAs, and the Venice Film Festival for her performance in the title role of Vera Drake, which also won Best Picture. For the same role, she received Best Actress nominations for the 2005 Golden Globes and Academy Awards.
She had a guest role, playing Mrs. Mead in Little Britain in 2005. Staunton portrays power-hungry Dolores Umbridge in 2007's Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. In 2007 she also opened on stage in Frank McGuinness's There Came a Gypsy Riding.
Some People
Imelda Staunton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If I die it won't be from sitting
It will be from fighting to get up and get out!
Some people can get a thrill
knitting sweaters and sitting still.
That's okay for some people
who don't know they're alive.
Some people can thrive and bloom
living life in the living room.
That's perfect for some people
of one hundred and five.
But I at least gotta try
when I think of all the sights that I gotta see
and all the places I gotta play,
all the things that I gotta be at.
Come on, papa, what do you say?
Some people can be content
playing bingo and paying rent.
That's peachy for some people,
for some hum-drum people to be,
but some people ain't me!
I had a dream,
a wonderful dream, papa,
all about June in the Orpheum circuit.
Gimme a chance and I know I can work it.
I had a dream.
Just as real as can be, papa.
There I was in Mr. Orpheum's office
and he was saying to me, "Rose,
get yourselves some new orchestrations,
new routines and red velvet curtains.
Get a feathered hat for the baby;
photographs in front of the theatre.
Get an agent and in jig time
you'll be being booked in the big time."
Oh, what a dream.
A wonderful dream, papa.
And all that I need is eighty-eight bucks, papa.
That's what he said, papa.
Only eighty-eight bucks.
Papa
You ain't gettin' eighty-eight cents from me, Rose.
Rose
Well, I'll get it someplace else! But I'll get it! And get my kids out!
Goodbye to blueberry pie.
Good riddance to all the socials I had to go to,
all the lodges I had to play,
all the shriners I said hello to.
Hey, L.A., I'm comin' your way!
Some people sit on their butts;
got the dream, yeah, but not the guts.
That's living for some people,
for some hum-drum people I suppose.
Well, they can stay and rot!
But not Rose!
The song "Some People" by Imelda Staunton is a powerful anthem about the desire to live a fulfilling life outside of the norm. The lyrics emphasize the importance of living life to the fullest and chasing after one's dreams. The opening lines of the song are particularly striking - "Anybody that stays home is dead / If I die it won't be from sitting / It will be from fighting to get up and get out!" This sets the tone for the entire song, which is about the singer's determination to pursue her goals and make her dreams a reality.
The chorus of the song highlights the differences between people who are content with a simple life and those who have a desire for more. "Some people can get a thrill / knitting sweaters and sitting still / That's okay for some people / who don't know they're alive." The lyrics suggest that there is nothing wrong with being content with a simple life, but for those who have a burning desire to see the world and achieve their goals, sitting still is not an option.
The verses of the song tell the story of the singer's dream to be a performer and her determination to make that dream a reality. She sings about the obstacles she faces and the sacrifices she is willing to make in order to achieve her goals. Ultimately, the song is a celebration of the human spirit and the power of determination and perseverance.
Line by Line Meaning
Anybody that stays home is dead
Staying at home all the time leads to a dull, lifeless existence.
If I die it won't be from sitting
I refuse to let a sedentary lifestyle be the cause of my death.
It will be from fighting to get up and get out!
I am determined to push myself to explore and experience life to the fullest.
Some people can get a thrill
knitting sweaters and sitting still.
Some people find joy and purpose in quiet, solitary activities like knitting.
That's okay for some people
who don't know they're alive.
While such activities may not be for me, they suit people who are content with a simple life.
Some people can thrive and bloom
living life in the living room.
Some individuals can find fulfillment without leaving their homes or venturing far from it.
That's perfect for some people
of one hundred and five.
Living a quiet life might be suitable for elderly people, but I refuse to be held back by age.
But I at least gotta try
when I think of all the sights that I gotta see
and all the places I gotta play,
all the things that I gotta be at.
Come on, papa, what do you say?
I am motivated to experience all that life has to offer - the sights, experiences, and opportunities available to me. I am urging my father to support my ambition.
Some people can be content
playing bingo and paying rent.
Some folks are happy with a routine life of bingo and owing rent, but it's not for me.
That's peachy for some people,
for some hum-drum people to be,
but some people ain't me!
While such a lifestyle may be fine for some, I refuse to settle for anything less than my dreams.
I had a dream,
a wonderful dream, papa,
all about June in the Orpheum circuit.
Gimme a chance and I know I can work it.
I have a vision for my future - performing on stage at Orpheum - and with an opportunity to pursue it, I am certain I can make it happen.
Just as real as can be, papa.
There I was in Mr. Orpheum's office
and he was saying to me, "Rose,
get yourselves some new orchestrations,
new routines and red velvet curtains.
Get a feathered hat for the baby;
photographs in front of the theatre.
Get an agent and in jig time
you'll be being booked in the big time."
My dream is so vivid that it feels real - I can see myself in Orpheum's office, with him offering practical advice on how to enhance my performance and how to promote myself as an artist.
Oh, what a dream.
A wonderful dream, papa.
And all that I need is eighty-eight bucks, papa.
That's what he said, papa.
Only eighty-eight bucks.
My dream requires a modest investment of just $88, according to Orpheum. It is an attainable goal that I am determined to achieve.
You ain't gettin' eighty-eight cents from me, Rose.
My father is not supportive of my dream, and refuses to help me achieve it financially.
Well, I'll get it someplace else! But I'll get it! And get my kids out!
I am determined to find a way to make my dream come true, even if it means finding the money elsewhere. I am motivated to provide a better life for my children through my success.
Goodbye to blueberry pie.
Good riddance to all the socials I had to go to,
all the lodges I had to play,
all the shriners I said hello to.
Hey, L.A., I'm comin' your way!
I am ready to leave behind the mundane aspects of my former life, including attending social events and playing small-scale performances. I am focused on making it big in Los Angeles, and nothing will stop me.
Some people sit on their butts;
got the dream, yeah, but not the guts.
That's living for some people,
for some hum-drum people I suppose.
Well, they can stay and rot!
But not Rose!
Some people have big dreams but lack the courage and motivation to pursue them. That's fine for them, but not for me - I refuse to let my dreams die without ever trying.
Contributed by Layla I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@teresagandy1922
Some people can get a thrill
Knitting sweaters and sitting still
That's okay for some people
Who don't know they're alive
Some people can thrive and bloom
Living life in the living room
That's perfect for some people
Of one hundred and five
But I at least gotta try
When I think of all the sights that I gotta see
And all the places I gotta play
All the things that I gotta be at
Come on papa, what do you say?
Some people can be content
Playing bingo and paying rent
That's peachy for some people
For some hum-drum people to be
But some people ain't me
Read more: Gypsy - Some People Lyrics | MetroLyrics
@edelcorcoran9876
Some people can get a thrill
knitting sweaters and sitting still.
That's okay for some people
who don't know they're alive.
Some people can thrive and bloom
living life in the living room.
That's perfect for some people
of one hundred and five.
But I at least gotta try
when I think of all the sights that I gotta see
and all the places I gotta play,
all the things that I gotta be at.
Come on, papa, what do you say?
Some people can be content
playing bingo and paying rent.
That's peachy for some people,
for some hum-drum people to be,
but some people ain't me!
I had a dream,
a wonderful dream, papa,
all about June in the Orpheum circuit.
Gimme a chance and I know I can work it.
I had a dream.
Just as real as can be, papa.
There I was in Mr. Orpheum's office
and he was saying to me, "Rose,
get yourselves some new orchestrations,
new routines and red velvet curtains.
Get a feathered hat for the baby;
photographs in front of the theatre.
Get an agent and in jig time
you'll be being booked in the big time."
Oh, what a dream.
A wonderful dream, papa.
And all that I need is eighty-eight bucks, papa.
That's what he said, papa.
Only eighty-eight bucks.
Papa
You ain't gettin' eighty-eight cents from me, Rose.
Rose
Well, I'll get it someplace else! But I'll get it! And get my kids out!
Goodbye to blueberry pie.
Good riddance to all the socials I had to go to,
all the lodges I had to play,
all the shriners I said hello to.
Hey, L.A., I'm comin' your way!
Some people sit on their butts;
got the dream, yeah, but not the guts.
That's living for some people,
for some hum-drum people I suppose.
Well, they can stay and rot!
But not Rose!
@jaydee970
She is such a consumate Sondheim performer--she makes sure to act the part instead of just singing or performing it. Fabulous!
@eviesmail5447
I canāt stop watching her She has outshined all my favorites No one has ever given this much heart into this role Maybe groeinhbuoneith working class people Knowing the desperation of growing old and never seeing yiur dreams fulfilled
@VILA1963
She is indeed extraordinary. She aproaches each song as a scene. And has the voice to do it very well.
@singe0diabolique
Who knew Dolores Umbrage could sing???
@singe0diabolique
I remember her in Much Ado About Nothing, and Sense and Sensibility, many years before HP.
@musicaltheatergeek79
Anyone who isn't a philistine. ;-)
@themagman1
those who saw Sweeney Todd or That Day We Sang
@ebbandflowph
She's good but I still prefer LuPone.
@adambriton5394
Oh so this is why shes such a mega bitch in the order of the phoenix
@madamegucci1771
The lady is TALENTED!!! WOW!!! One of the best Rose I've watched!!!!! KUDOS!!