Minnelli's first film appearance was at the age of three in the final scene of the 1949 musical In the Good Old Summertime, starring her mother and Van Johnson. Minnelli started performing at age 16, in 1963, in an Off-Broadway revival of the musical Best Foot Forward, for which she received good notices. The next year, her mother invited Minnelli to perform with her at the London Palladium. The audience loved her, launching her musical career. She returned to Broadway at 19, and won a 1965 Tony Award for Flora the Red Menace. Minnelli would also receive Tony Awards for The Act in 1978 and a special Tony in 1974. She was nominated in 1984 for The Rink but lost to her costar, Chita Rivera.
The film The Sterile Cuckoo (1969), in which Minnelli starred as a love-seeking teenage misfit, garnered the young actress her first Academy Award nomination. In 1972, Minnelli won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as Sally Bowles in the movie version of Cabaret, along with Joel Grey who won an Oscar reprising his role from the original Broadway production (that of the Emcee).
Minnelli has the distinction of being one of the few Academy Award winners whose parents are both Academy Award nominees. She has also won an Emmy Award for the 1972 TV special Liza with a Z. Minnelli received a 1990 Grammy Legend Award. She received Golden Globe Awards for Cabaret and for the TV movie A Time to Live.
Minnelli, like her mother, is known for her powerful vocal style, as in her trademark songs "Cabaret" and "Theme from New York, New York". Minnelli's original version of the latter, for the film in which she was a co-star with Robert DeNiro, preceded Frank Sinatra's successful cover version (for his Trilogy album), by two years.
After her performance as leading lady to Dudley Moore in 1981's Arthur, Minnelli made fewer, and fewer successful, film appearances.
She returned to Broadway in 1997, taking over the title role in the musical Victor/Victoria, replacing Julie Andrews. In his review, New York Times critic Ben Brantley commented, "her every stage appearance is perceived as a victory of show-business stamina over psychic frailty... She asks for love so nakedly and earnestly, it seems downright vicious not to respond."
Following her 2002 wedding to David Gest, Minnelli and Gest signed with the American cable network VH1 to star in their own reality series, but production of the series was cancelled at the last minute.
In 2004 and 2005 she appeared as a recurring guest star on the critically acclaimed TV sitcom Arrested Development as the lover of sexually and socially awkward Buster Bluth.
On January 1, 2006, she sang "New York, New York" at the second inauguration of New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. Other famous performances were at the 1978 Studio 54 party honoring New York City's revival, at which a guest was Mayor Ed Koch; the reopening of the Statue of Liberty on July 4, 1986; and at a 2001 New York Mets baseball game that was the metro area's first major sporting event after the September 11 attacks.
In 2013, she guest-starred on the NBC musical drama Smash, where she performed the number A Love Letter From the Times. She also reprised her role in the fourth season of Arrested Development.
Yes
Liza Minnelli Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yes
Say yes
Life keeps happenin' every day
Say yes
When opportunity comes your way
You can't start wonderin' what to say
Say yes
There's ?.........? and Marigold right outside
And warm white Cadillacs you can ride
Nothin's gained if there's nothin' tried
Say yes
Don't say why
Say why not
What lies beyond what is, is not
So what, say yes...
Yes I can, yes I will
Yes I'll tinker, said yes I'll touch
Yes of cause, yes how nice
Yes I'll happily, thank you very much
Yes, oh-oh, Yes...
Yes
There's lots of chaff, there's lots of wheat
Yes
You might get mugged as you walk the streets
But on the other hand you might reach
That handsome stranger you've longed to meet
Say yes...
Yes I'll look, yes I'll walk
Yes I'd love to do such and such
Yes I'll try, yes I'll dare
Ye-es I-I'll fly, ye-es I- I'll share
And yes I am, and yes I'll be
And yes I'll go...
Oh Yes...
Yes
The song "Yes" by Liza Minnelli is an uplifting and motivational call to action for listeners to seize opportunities that life throws their way. The song encourages listeners to say "Yes" to life, to take chances and to embrace all that it has to offer. The lyrics suggest that life is full of opportunities waiting to be seized, and that we should not let fear or hesitation stop us from pursuing the things we want.
Throughout the song, Minnelli uses a variety of metaphors to illustrate her message. For example, she sings about "chaff" and "wheat," suggesting that life is full of both good and bad experiences. She also references "Marigold" and "warm white Cadillacs," symbols of luxury and comfort that are waiting for us if we are willing to take risks and chase our dreams.
Minnelli's message is clear: life is short and full of opportunities, and we should not let fear hold us back from seizing those opportunities. The song is a powerful reminder that we are capable of achieving great things if we are willing to take risks and pursue our passions.
Line by Line Meaning
Ladies and gentlemen - Liza Minnelli
The song is being introduced as a performance by Liza Minnelli
Yes
An enthusiastic affirmation to follow
Say yes
Encouragement to adopt a positive attitude
Life keeps happenin' every day
Life is full of opportunities and experiences that are constantly occurring without regard for anyone's personal plans or agendas
When opportunity comes your way
A situation or circumstance presents itself that has the potential to be a positive experience
You can't start wonderin' what to say
It is important to be prepared and open to opportunities when they arise
You'll never win if you never play
If you never accept an opportunity, you will never reap the benefits that can come from taking a chance
Say yes
Encouragement to take advantage of positive opportunities, with confidence
There's ?.........? and Marigold right outside
There are likely some positives available to experience and enjoy, right outside, in the world around you
And warm white Cadillacs you can ride
There are luxuries or opportunities available that you can take advantage of, if you keep an open mind and are willing to try something new
Nothin's gained if there's nothin' tried
The only way to benefit from possible positive outcomes is to take action and try new things
Say yes
Encouragement to take action and try new things even in the face of risks or unknown dangers
Don't say why
Negative reactions can be restrictive and close off the possibility of reaping long-term benefits
Say why not
Encouragement to take a positive approach and be open to new possibilities, taking risks when it is worthwhile
What lies beyond what is, is not
The possibilities beyond what is currently known are infinite and can offer truly life-changing benefits
So what, say yes...
Encouragement to adopt a bold and positive attitude, embracing the unknown
Yes I can, yes I will
An affirmation of a positive attitude, confident in taking action
Yes I'll tinker, said yes I'll touch
Indicates a willingness to experiment with new opportunities, even in the face of potential risk
Yes of cause, yes how nice
Indicates an open willingness to participate in even unlikely or less important opportunities with enthusiasm
Yes I'll happily, thank you very much
Indicates a readiness to try new things, with joy and gratitude for the opportunities presented
Yes, oh-oh, Yes...
An enthusiastic declaration of a positive attitude and willingness to take action and accept opportunities
Yes
A final re-affirmation of a positive, open, and affirming attitude
There's lots of chaff, there's lots of wheat
There are many opportunities in life, and not all are worthwhile, so it's important to be mindful and discerning
You might get mugged as you walk the streets
Life can have dangerous or unfortunate outcomes, but these should not completely prevent open-mindedness
But on the other hand you might reach
On the other hand, good things can and will happen if one is willing to be open to possibilities
That handsome stranger you've longed to meet
Encourages being ready to take a positive approach to encountering new opportunities, people, or experiences
Say yes...
Encouragement to accept positive opportunities and experiences wholeheartedly
Yes I'll look, yes I'll walk
An openness to experience the world around you with confidence and enthusiasm
Yes I'd love to do such and such
Enthusiastic expression of enjoyment and excitement for taking action and trying new things
Yes I'll try, yes I'll dare
An openness and willingness to take risks in order to achieve something positive
Ye-es I-I'll fly, ye-es I- I'll share
An affirmation of courage and determination to reach for and achieve goals, with a willingness to share that joy with others
And yes I am, and yes I'll be
A declaration of a positive attitude and willingness to embrace all of life's experiences
And yes I'll go...
An enthusiastic willingness to move forward in life and take on new opportunities and experiences
Oh Yes...
Final enthusiastic affirmation of an open, exploratory, and positive attitude
Yes
An enthusiastic affirmation to follow, summarizing the entire song's central message
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: FRED EBB, JOHN KANDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tibor Mészáros
She is among the greatests!
STAN
Wonderful show ~ she won an Emmy Award for this ~ YES is a favorite song with a positive message 😁
Bravo to LIZA MINNELLI ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Peter Clarke
I saw this on TV when I was 13 or so and never forgot this song, something about its message clung to me. Now, 40 years later, my "new" mantra is "Say yes."
AnneHardingBondiJct
Dear Peter, try Liza Minnelli "Ring Them Bells" !
Meet you in the hallway !
Noe Berengena
A wonderful way to begin an evening concert.
She enters high energy, walks up to the mic and sings "YES." Perfect. // It's good for all of us to remember that Liza was once a young 26 years old with enormous talent to share.
Leo
came here after seeing GLOW from netflix.
Steph Gordon
Yes! For "Yes"! lol
Anthony LiCausi
The Scene from GLOW was genius. Using a metaphor to show why Bash needs to say "yes" and finally come out of the closet. It looked like a shot for shot from Liza with a Z. The show is so good this season.
Mary Fendley
liza minneli always got me motiveate with this song.thank you liza with a z
Stephanie Stanley
The greatest one person show...ever!