Jo Stafford (born Jo Elizabeth Stafford, 12 November 1917, in Coalinga, Cal… Read Full Bio ↴Jo Stafford (born Jo Elizabeth Stafford, 12 November 1917, in Coalinga, California and died July 16, 2008 at Century City, California) was an American jazz and big band singer whose career spanned the late 1930s through the early 1960s. She was known especially as a fond favorite of name bandleaders during World War II and in the years immediately after. Stafford was greatly admired for the purity of her voice and was considered one of the most versatile vocalists of the era. Even now, hers are widely held as the supreme versions of jazz standards "It Could Happen to You" and "Blue Moon." She sang with male partners on occasion, including Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby. She was also considered a pioneer of modern musical parody, having won a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album in 1961 (with husband Paul Weston) for their album Jonathan and Darlene Edwards in Paris.

Embraceable You
Jo Stafford Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Dozens of girls[guys] would storm up,
I had to lock my door,
Somehow I couldn't warm up
To one before.
What was it that controlled me?
What kept my love-life lean?
My intuition told me
You'd come on the scene.

Baby, listen to the rhythm of my heartbeat,
And you'll get just what I mean.

Embrace me,
My sweet embraceable you.
Embrace me,
You irreplaceable you.
Just one look at you, my heart grew tipsy in me.
You and you alone bring out the gypsy in me.
I love all
The many charms about you,
Above all,
I want my arms about you.
Don't be a naughty baby,
Come to papa, come to papa, do!
My sweet embraceable you.

I love all
The many charms about you,
Above all,
I want my arms about you.
Don't be a naughty baby,

Come to papa, come to papa, do!
My sweet embraceable you.

Overall Meaning

In Jo Stafford's song "Embraceable You", the singer is reflecting on their love life and how nobody has been able to capture their heart until they met their current love interest. They describe how they had to lock their door to avoid being pursued by numerous potential romantic partners, but even then they still couldn't find the right person to warm up to. However, their intuition told them that their current love interest would be the one to change everything. The singer urges their love interest to listen to the rhythm of their heartbeat to understand the depth of their feelings.

The chorus of the song is an invitation for the love interest to embrace the singer. The singer praises their love interest, describing them as "irreplaceable" and someone who brings out the "gypsy" in them. The singer professes their love and desire to be close to their love interest. The last line of the song is yet again an invitation for their love interest to come to them.

Overall, the song captures the moment of falling in love and being completely captivated by someone. The singer is inviting their love interest to embrace them and let their love flourish.

Line by Line Meaning

Dozens of girls[guys] would storm up,
Many people would try to be with me,

I had to lock my door,
I had to protect myself from unwanted attention,

Somehow I couldn't warm up
I couldn't connect with anyone emotionally,

To one before.
Until I met you,

What was it that controlled me?
I was unsure of what was holding me back,

What kept my love-life lean?
I couldn't find true love,

My intuition told me
I had a feeling,

You'd come on the scene.
That you would come into my life.

Baby, listen to the rhythm of my heartbeat,
Pay attention to how I feel,

And you'll get just what I mean.
So you'll understand why I feel this way.

Embrace me,
Hold me tight,

My sweet embraceable you.
You are the only one I want to embrace me.

Embrace me,
Hold me tight,

You irreplaceable you.
You are unique and no one can replace you.

Just one look at you, my heart grew tipsy in me.
I fell in love with you instantly,

You and you alone bring out the gypsy in me.
You make me feel free and adventurous.

I love all
I adore all

The many charms about you,
The wonderful qualities you have,

Above all,
Most importantly,

I want my arms about you.
I want to hold you in my arms.

Don't be a naughty baby,
Don't be stubborn,

Come to papa, come to papa, do!
Come to me, please!

My sweet embraceable you.
You are the one who can fulfill my desire for love and affection.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Unison Rights S.L., Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

Pepper Williams

7y↑3

This version and the one with Ella are two of my favorite versions! Classy woman with a marvelous voice that will never be heard again!

Jymster46

7y↑1

Thankfully we have her legacy of music that we can enjoy. I hope some younger folks discover the magic of her music and talent. Thank you so much for you comment!
Jim

Alf Ching

7y↑1

Pepper Williams She will be heard forever if you keep listening to her

William L Robinson

2y↑1

Jo Stafford delivers a smooth soft tone on this beautiful tune!

LoveTheOConnor

12y↑1

Fantastic, Jim! This is a beautiful version, as you said. Love the pictures and clips from the movie! Thanks so much for sharing :))

Samiyo

7y↑1

I love it, and the classic film clips... Wow, just wonderful.

Edward S.

6y↑5

I love Jo Stafford so much

Jymster46

12y

You are very welcome! I love the song and the movie. Ms. Stafford put her touch on the song, as she does to everything she sings. Thank you so much for watching, listening and for commenting! I'm so glad you liked it! Jim

Jymster46

12y

You are very welcome, Heather! I thought it had that Jo Stafford magic touch, for sure. I'm so glad you liked it! Thank you so much for watching and commenting! Jim