At the age of twelve she saw an advertisment in the local newspapers for juvenile dancers and passed the audition.
By sixteen [at the hight of the Nazi Blitz-bombing raids on Liverpool she answered another advert, when she managed to secure a job as a singer in the "New Yorker" - a Southport, Merseyside club. She got that job at £5 a week, then shortly afterwards signed up with the Harry Roy Orchestra in London. She moved on from this to work with other bands of the era including that of Edmundo Ros.
By the time she was eighteen war-ravaged London was still a dangerous place to work and she had decided to retire from show business - choosing marriage to an American and a life in Miami in exchange. London was full of American servicemen at the time, one of whom Roza married and off they went to safety in America.
However, this did not last and shortly after WW2 she returned to the UK In 1950 she became lead female singer with the Ted Heath Band, and by 1954 had achieved enough public acclaim to leave the band and pursue a solo recording career on her own.
1956 she married the trumpet player, Ronnie Harris.
She remained a top UK recording artist during the remainder of the 1950s, but her subsequent recordings never recaptured the magic she had shown while with Ted Heath.[citation needed]
She was voted the 'Top British Female Singer' in the New Musical Express' pool winners charts consecutively from 1951 to 1955. Melody Maker readers also voted her their 'Top Girl Singer' in the Dance Band section of their pools in 1951 and 1952.
Her 1953 number one hit record "How Much is that Doggie in the Window?" afforded Roza the privilege of being the first British female singer to top the UK Singles Chart.
On Wednesday March 14, 2001 a Wall of Fame was inaugurated opposite the famous Cavern Club on Mathew Street, in downtown Liverpool, with Roza presiding at the ceremony.
At November 28, 2002, in Liverpool, she gave her last public performance on Radio Merseyside.
Lita Roza died peacefully at home on 14 August 2008, aged 82.
You
Lita Roza Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You'll never know just how much I care
And if I tried, I still couldn't hide my love for you
You ought to know, for haven't I told you so
A million or more times?
You went away and my heart went with you
I speak your name in my every prayer
I swear I don't know how
You'll never know if you don't know now
(You went away and my heart went with you
I speak your name in my every prayer)
If there is some other way to prove that I love you
I swear I don't know how
You'll never know if you don't know now
You'll never know if you don't know now
These lyrics are a hauntingly beautiful representation of unrequited love. The singer laments the fact that the person she loves does not know the extent of her love for them, and though she has told them a million times before, she knows deep down that they still don't understand. The lines "You'll never know just how much I miss you, you'll never know just how much I care" are especially poignant here, as they convey a sense of loss and longing that is all-encompassing.
The singer also acknowledges the futility of trying to hide her feelings, stating that even if she tried, she wouldn't be able to deny her love for the person. The line "If there is some other way to prove that I love you, I swear I don't know how" emphasizes just how deep her feelings run, and how desperately she wants the other person to recognize them.
Overall, Lita Roza's You'll Never Know is a heart-wrenching ballad that perfectly captures the pain of unrequited love. The lyrics are simple yet profound, and the singer's plaintive voice adds an extra layer of emotion to the already poignant lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
You'll never know just how much I miss you
I miss you more than words can express, but you will never truly understand the depth of my feelings for you.
You'll never know just how much I care
I care for you deeply, but my emotions go unrecognized by you and may never be fully understood.
And if I tried, I still couldn't hide my love for you
Even if I tried to conceal my love for you, it would be impossible as it is too strong and overwhelming to keep hidden.
You ought to know, for haven't I told you so
I have expressed my love and affection for you countless times, so you should already be aware of how I feel.
A million or more times?
I have told you repeatedly and exhaustively, hoping that you will eventually understand how much you mean to me.
You went away and my heart went with you
When you left, a part of me went with you, and I have not been able to reclaim it since.
I speak your name in my every prayer
You are always on my mind, and I pray for you constantly, hoping that you will feel the love and care that I have for you.
If there is some other way to prove that I love you
I am willing to do anything to prove my love for you, but I am unsure of how to do so beyond what I have already done.
I swear I don't know how
Despite my desire to prove my love, I am at a loss as to how to show you any further than I already have.
You'll never know if you don't know now
If you do not understand the depth of my love for you now, you may never know or fully appreciate it.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mack Gordon, Harry Warren
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
David Walsh
My favourite song by Lita. She could sing the socks of most other singers around at the time. This should have been a massive hit.
OnlyFiftiesAgain
Glad you enjoyed this top song by Lita,she certainly was a terrific singer.Had the pleasure of meeting her briefly,way back in 1957,what a gorgeous young lady she was then !
Joan Cuthill
Wonderful Mick. It's excellent my friend. Thank you so much. God Bless you,☺
Buzzer365
One of a few of hers to be engineered by the late great record producer, Joe Meek.
puppetlady1
Sorry so late with my response. Nice one. This is a very memorable song with a catchy melody. It reminds me of many people past & present. Thank-you.
Annmarie Lane
she was a cousin of my father.