Born in Royal, Nebraska, Hering began playing piano at age three, and at age six started formal study in classical piano. She studied classical piano and voice at Sacred Heart in Omaha, Nebraska where she became interested in jazz.
After beginning her career at the Blackstone Hotel in Omaha she joined a United States Navy recruiting tour during World War II. In the late 1940s, she worked in Chicago clubs where she once was a supporting vocalist for Anita O'Day. She became known for what might be deemed torch songs.
She signed with Decca Records in 1951 and became known both for pop and jazz. The 1950s saw her at the height of her importance. In that decade she sang in a few films and in 1957 she had a top 30 hit with "Fire Down Below". After her switch to Capitol Records she had success doing interpretations of Cole Porter with Billy May arranging some of the more humorous examples.
In the 1960s she gave up music to teach and later moved to Hollywood to work on film composing with Hugo Friedhofer. She also wrote Interpreting Popular Music At The Keyboard during her final years. She died in Los Angeles of pneumonia in 1991.
Little Girl Blue
Jeri Southern Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
merry as a carousel,The circus tent was strung with ever
star in the sky,Above the ring you loved so well.Now
the young world has grown old, gone are the silver and gold,Chorus : Sit there and count your fingers, what can you do,Old girl, you're through.Just sit there and count
your little fingers, unhappy little girl blue.Sit there
and count the raindrops falling on you,It's time you
knew,All you can count on are the raindrops that fall on
little girl blue.No use, old girl, you might as well
somebody send a tenderBlue boy to cheer up little girl
blue.
The lyrics to Jeri Southern's song "Little Girl Blue" are a poignant reflection on the pains of growing up and the loss of innocence. The opening lines describe a world that was once full of wonder and delight, like a merry-go-round or a circus tent with stars shining above. The singer is identified as a young girl, who loved the thrill of the circus ring. However, as the girl grows up, she realizes that the world around her has changed. The silver and gold of her childhood have faded and the happiness of her youth is no longer present.
The chorus instructs the girl to sit and count her fingers, implying that there is nothing else left for her to do. She is referred to as an "old girl" despite being quite young, emphasizing the sense of despair and hopelessness that she feels. The imagery of counting raindrops reinforces the idea that there is little to rely on in the world. The final lines express a desire for a "tender blue boy" to come and lift the girl's spirits, but this hope is presented as unlikely to be realized.
This song speaks to the experience of many who have grown up and realized that the world is not as magical as it once seemed. It conveys a sense of loss and regret for the innocence of the past, but also hints at the possibility of finding comfort in the kindness of others.
Line by Line Meaning
When you were very young, the world was younger than you,
As a child, the world seemed new and exciting, as if it was made just for you.
As merry as a carousel,
Everything was as cheerful and playful as a carousel ride.
The circus tent was strung with every star in the sky,
The world was enchanted with lights and magic, filled with endless possibilities and dreams.
Above the ring you loved so well.
You were drawn into the magic of life, with a love for the mystery and excitement of it all.
Now the young world has grown old, gone are the silver and gold,
As you grew up, the world lost its luster and the optimism of childhood faded away.
Chorus : Sit there and count your fingers, what can you do, Old girl, you're through.
The world seems empty and all you can do is sit and think about what you've lost. It's like you're too old for anything to be new or exciting anymore.
Just sit there and count your little fingers, unhappy little girl blue.
You feel down and depressed, stuck in a cycle of negativity and sadness.
Sit there and count the raindrops falling on you, It's time you knew,
You're becoming increasingly aware of how little control you have over your life and how it seems like everything is falling apart.
All you can count on are the raindrops that fall on little girl blue.
The only thing you feel like you have left is your own sadness and feelings of hopelessness.
No use, old girl, you might as well surrender,
You've given up hope and feel like there's nothing left to do but accept your fate.
Your hopes are getting slender, why won't somebody send a tender Blue boy to cheer up little girl blue.
You're longing for someone to come into your life and make things better; someone to bring back the happiness and optimism you had as a child.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, IMAGEM MUSIC INC
Written by: LORENZ HART, RICHARD RODGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Protoville
This is not only a great song, beautifully sung, but a video that captures the mood perfectly. So well done!
nipstertunes
Thank you for the very nice comment. Beautifully sung, for sure.
Jim
LoveTheOConnor
Wonderful, Jim! A beautiful version of a lovely song. Love all your backgrounds and pictures of lovely Ms. Southern. Thanks so much for sharing and brightening my day! Hope you're having a fabulous day and are staying warm :))
nipstertunes
Thank you, Heather. I just love her vocal style and the way she does this one. I'm happy that you do too. Yes, staying warm is the challenge for today. It's cold out there! Thank you so much for watching and commenting, my friend.
Jim
maureen1938
Thank you for posting this lovely lovely video. I do appreciate your channel.
nipstertunes
Well, Thank You Very Much. I really appreciate your comments and for watching and listening to the videos. I'm so happy that you liked this one.
Jim
Palmer Short
I was in Korea in 1956 and 57. There was a female deejay playing music on the military network out of Seoul.
On Saturday nights. She would close with Jeri singing You Better Go Now. Wow what a way to end an evening. I had one of her albums but have either loaned it out or misplaced it. I've been told it could be a collectors item.
Palmer Short
What album was this on?
nipstertunes
+Palmer Short This comes from her 1957 album "When Your Heart's On Fire". She had a wonderful style all her own. Thanks so much for listening.
Jim
Palmer Short
Thanks.