Les Paul (Lester William Polsfuss, June 9, 1915 – August 12, 2009) and Mary Ford (Iris Colleen Summers, July 7, 1924 – September 30, 1977) were introduced to each other by Gene Autry in 1946 and married in 1949.
They first appeared in the pop charts in 1950. Between the years 1950 and 1954, Les Paul and Mary Ford had 16 top-ten hits. They had five top-ten hits within nine months. "Tennessee Waltz", "Mockin' Bird Hill", "How High the Moon" (#1 for nine weeks), "The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise" and "Whispering". From August 1952 to March 1953 they had five more top-ten hits; "My Baby's Coming Home", "Lady of Spain", "Bye Bye Blues", "I'm Sitting on Top of the World" and "Vaya Con Dios" (#1 for 11 weeks). Their 1954 version of "I'm a Fool to Care" went to #6, and was featured in a memorable Southern Comfort commercial in 2013 that got over 1 million views on YouTube.
In 2009, they were inducted into the Hit Parade Hall of Fame.
Les Paul and Mary Ford are famous for creating a makeshift recording studio in their garage. In their garage studio, they used multitrack recording to record many of their hits including ‘Lover’, ‘Nola’, ‘Brazil’ and ‘Whispering' with only the two of them.
YouTube has a large selection of clips from their syndicated TV show "Les Paul & Mary Ford At Home" (1954-'55).
Les Paul and Mary Ford divorced acrimoniously in December 1964, which also ended the collaboration between the two.
The duo have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Les Paul had hosted a 15-minute radio program, The Les Paul Show, on NBC in 1950, featuring his trio (himself, Ford, and rhythm player Eddie Stapleton) and his electronics, recorded from their home and with gentle humour between Paul and Ford bridging musical selections, some of which had already been successful on records, some of which anticipated the couple's recordings, and many of which presented dazzling re-interpretations of such jazz and pop selections as "In the Mood," "Little Rock Getaway," "Brazil," and "Tiger Rag." Several recordings of these shows survive among old-time radio collectors today.
The show also appeared on television a few years later with the same format, but excluding the trio and retitled The Les Paul & Mary Ford Show (aka Les Paul & Mary Ford At Home) with "Vaya Con Dios" as a theme song. Sponsored by Warner Lambert's Listerine, it was widely syndicated during 1954–55 and was only five minutes long (one or two songs) on film and therefore used as a brief interlude or fill-in on programming schedules. Since Les created the entire show himself, including audio and video, he maintained the original recordings and was in the process of restoring them to up-to-date quality at the time of his death.
Just One Of Those Things
Les Paul & Mary Ford Lyrics
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Just one of those crazy flings
One of those bells that now and then rings
Just one of those things
It was just one of those nights
Just one of those fabulous flights
A trip to the moon on gossamer wings
If we'd thought a bit before the end of it
When we started painting the town
We'd have been aware that our love affair
Was too hot not to cool down
So good-bye, dear, and amen
Here's hoping we meet now and then
It was great fun
But it was just one of those things
The song "Just One of Those Things" by Les Paul and Mary Ford is a bittersweet reflection on a short-lived romance. The lyrics describe the relationship as one of those "crazy flings" that happen every now and then, and a "trip to the moon on gossamer wings." However, the couple failed to realize that their love was too passionate to last, and the affair came to an abrupt end. The song speaks to the human experience of falling in love quickly and intensely, but ultimately coming to terms with the fleeting nature of such emotions.
The lyrics also express a sense of acceptance and closure as the couple says their goodbyes. The use of the word "amen" suggests a religious undertone, perhaps implying that the relationship was part of a larger plan. The line "Here's hoping we meet now and then" conveys a sense of nostalgia and the possibility of future encounters, while acknowledging that the relationship was ultimately just a passing moment in their lives.
Overall, "Just One of Those Things" is a poignant reflection on the transience of human connections and the importance of cherishing each moment, even if it is fleeting.
Line by Line Meaning
It was just one of those things
An incident that occurred without any particular reason or pattern
Just one of those crazy flings
A sudden, impulsive romantic encounter that lacked real substance and meaning
One of those bells that now and then rings
A rare moment of excitement that interrupted an otherwise uneventful routine
Just one of those things
A nonchalant acknowledgement of the triviality of the incident
It was just one of those nights
A disregarded time where the artist had indulged in a reckless and spontaneous spree
Just one of those fabulous flights
A metaphorical journey of exhilaration and euphoria
A trip to the moon on gossamer wings
An otherworldly experience that felt unreal and dreamlike
Just one of those things
Reiterating the insignificance of the event
If we'd thought a bit before the end of it
Regretting not giving enough consideration to the outcome of the affair
When we started painting the town
When they began enjoying themselves carelessly without restriction
We'd have been aware that our love affair
They would have realized that their passionate romance was impulsive and not sustainable
Was too hot not to cool down
Their love was intense and impulsive, inevitably leading to an end
So good-bye, dear, and amen
A farewell acknowledging the end of the affair and wishing goodwill
Here's hoping we meet now and then
A hopeful statement that they may see each other again in the future
It was great fun
Reflecting on the enjoyable and amusing time they had together
But it was just one of those things
Ultimately recognizing the transitory nature of their relationship
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cole Porter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind