Mercer was born in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, England. Her mother was a young, white English music hall performer, and her father was a black American jazz musician whom Mabel never knew. At age fourteen, she left her convent school in Manchester, and toured Britain and Europe with her aunt in vaudeville and music hall engagements.
In 1928, she was an unknown member of the black chorus in the London production of Show Boat, but she had become the toast of Paris by the 1930s, with admirers who included Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Cole Porter.
When World War II broke out, she traveled to America to sing in the finest supper clubs in New York City. She also made many concert appearances across the U.S. In the late 1960s, she gave two legendary concerts with Bobby Short at Town Hall in New York City. Both were released by Atlantic Records: Mabel Mercer & Bobby Short at Town Hall, in 1968, (Atlantic SD 2-604) and Mabel Mercer & Bobby Short Second Town Hall Concert, in 1969 (Atlantic SD 2-605). In 1969, she made two appearances on the television program Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.
Her original and reissued albums are collector's items. Atlantic Records reissued four of her early LPs in a boxed set in 1975, in honor of her 75th birthday. She was awarded Stereo Review Magazine's first Award for Merit, for her lifetime achievement and for "outstanding contributions to the quality of American musical life." This award was officially renamed the Mabel Mercer Award in 1984.
A photograph of Mercer in later life, from the archives of The Mabel Mercer Foundation.
When Mercer returned on 4 July 1977 for her first performance in England in 41 years, the BBC filmed three evenings' performances and later broadcast it in a week-long late-night television program, a BBC first for an entertainer.
In 1978, "Midnight at Mabel Mercer's," her 1956 album on Atlantic, was praised as "one of the best recordings of the past twenty years" by Stereo Review. That same year, Mercer played at San Francisco's Club Mocambo to sold-out audiences, in celebration of her 78th birthday.
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Mabel Mercer Lyrics
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Or was it yesterday?
I was rehearsing a speech,
Really, I think it's a peach!
Hope you don't think it's a breach
Of recognized etiquette,
(I'm from Connecticut!)
You see the state I'm in,
What was that speech?
Oh yes, yes!
I like the likes of you,
I like the things you do,
I mean I like the likes of you!
I like you're eyes of blue,
I think they're blue, don't you?
I mean I like your eyes of blue!
Oh dear, if I could only say what I mean,
I mean if I could mean what I say,
That is, I mean to say that I mean to say that,
I like the likes of you,
You're looks are pure de-luxe,
Looks like I like the likes of you!
Oh dear, if I could only say what I mean,
I mean if I could mean what I say,
That is, I mean to say that I mean to say that,
I like the likes of you,
You're looks are pure de-luxe,
Looks like I like the likes of you!
The lyrics to Mabel Mercer's "I Like the Likes of You" expresses the singer's attraction and infatuation with someone. The song takes us through the singer's monologue, who appears to be hesitant or anxious in conveying their message of admiration. The singer recollects rehearsing a speech, which is presumably intended for expressing their feelings towards the other person. The singer finds difficulty in conveying their message but eventually confesses their attraction and fondness towards the other person. The song ends on a sweet note, with the singer confessing that they like the other person and their luxurious looks, which affirms the singer's feelings for the person.
The song's emotional tone and message are conveyed explicitly by Mabel Mercer's powerful voice, interpreting the lyrics beautifully. The song's lyrical structure is simple, but the choice of words is peculiar, with a few references to the singer's background and their inability to convey their message effectively. The song is a refreshing and charming piece of music that speaks to the power of human emotion, despite the difficulty in expressing these feelings at times.
Line by Line Meaning
Only last Saturday,
Recently or maybe even very recently,
Or was it yesterday?
I'm not quite sure of the exact date,
I was rehearsing a speech,
I was practicing a talk or an address,
Really, I think it's a peach!
I believe it's a great speech,
Hope you don't think it's a breach
I hope you don't see it as an offense,
Of recognized etiquette,
Against the accepted social norms,
(I'm from Connecticut!)
I come from the state of Connecticut,
You see the state I'm in,
You can see the predicament I'm in,
I mean I'm in a mess!
I'm in a difficult or unpleasant situation,
What was that speech?
What was the content of that talk again?
Oh yes, yes!
Oh right, I remember now!
I like the likes of you,
I am fond of people like you,
I like the things you do,
I appreciate what you do,
I mean I like the likes of you!
I really like people with your characteristics,
I like you're eyes of blue,
I admire your blue eyes,
I think they're blue, don't you?
I'm pretty sure they're blue, don't you agree?
I mean I like your eyes of blue!
I really do like your blue eyes,
Oh dear, if I could only say what I mean,
I wish I could express myself better,
I mean if I could mean what I say,
If only my words conveyed my true intentions,
That is, I mean to say that I mean to say that,
In other words, what I'm trying to say is,
You're looks are pure de-luxe,
Your appearance is outstanding,
Looks like I like the likes of you!
I really do like people with your specific qualities.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: VERNON DUKE, E. Y. HARBURG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jaroneames4304
I'm grateful to have had dinner with Ms. Mercer in London in 1977 during Queen Elizabeth's 25 Anniversary. She was holding court at the Playboy Club. A very talented, kind, and sensitive woman. A wonderful show! Thank you.
@renelctorres
Yes. I remember days when music was dreamy and inventive without blasting you away.
@dalfange
That was pure magic. It is exciting to be able to see and hear those wonderful performances and to remember how gloriously Mabel Mercer and Bobby Short could present the lovely songs they sang. I was privileged to have been able to hear them both in person (but not together), and I treasure the memory. They are irreplaceable.
@Depenido
Your videos make me happy
@Depenido
Thank you
@jacobsimon
I saw Mabel Mercer in the 1960s at the Upstairs at the Downstairs in Manhattan. Inimitable and sublime.
@1001ruth
gosh, goD bless U-tube for making this possible. I first saw Mabel Mercer in Chicago in 1957 or '58. I saw and met her secondly at a local party around 1980 where she sang a little bit and was happy to talk more: we talked about her neighborhood and poems by Edna St Vincent Millay. But in truth it was that performance in 1958. I can still hear it, still see it. It was life-shattering, life-changing. No voice greater, no greater interpretive literacy every brought to the "great American song book".
@cattycorner8
Wish I'd been with you!
@mariahyman2025
Me too!! Lucky you. Such class
@madamevera
Thank you Uncle Louie. She was, and still is, the best. And such a balm in these crazy times.