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.
I Can't Get Started
Mabel Mercer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've settled revolutions in Spain
And the North Pole I have charted
Still I can't get started with you
On the golf course, I'm under par
Metro Goldwyn have asked me to star
I've got a house, a showplace
'Cause you're so supreme
Lyrics I write of you, I dream
Dream day and night of you
And I scheme just for the sight of you
Baby, what good does it do?
I've been consulted by Franklin D
Greta Garbo has had me to tea
Still I'm broken-hearted
'Cause I can't get started with you
Mabel Mercer's song "I Can't Get Started" is a romantic ballad that explores the theme of unrequited love. The singer in the song has accomplished many impressive feats, including flying around the world, settling revolutions, and charting the North Pole. They are successful in many other areas of their life, such as golf and acting, and they have a beautiful showplace of a home. However, despite all of their achievements, they cannot seem to make any headway in gaining the affection of their beloved. They are so enraptured by this person that they dream about them every day and night and scheme for the chance to see them, but they seem to be unable to make any progress.
The song's chorus centers around the idea that the object of the singer's affection is "so supreme" that they are unable to resist their charms. Even though the singer writes lyrics about this person and dreams of them constantly, they are still unable to win them over. The final verse of the song reveals that the singer has been consulted by important figures like Franklin D. Roosevelt and has even had tea with Greta Garbo. Nevertheless, they remain heartbroken because they cannot seem to make any headway with the person they love.
Overall, "I Can't Get Started" is a poignant exploration of the universal experience of unrequited love. Despite the singer's many accomplishments, they are unable to win over the one person they truly desire.
Line by Line Meaning
I've flown around the world in a plane
I have travelled across the world by plane leading an adventurous life.
I've settled revolutions in Spain
I have resolved conflicts during a period of political upheaval in Spain.
And the North Pole I have charted
I have mapped the terrain of the North Pole.
Still I can't get started with you
Despite experiencing adventures and achieving milestones, I remain unsuccessful in making a connection with you.
On the golf course, I'm under par
I have excellent performance in playing golf and score below average.
Metro Goldwyn have asked me to star
Even the Metro Goldwyn film studio has requested me to be in their movies.
I've got a house, a showplace
I own a luxurious residence that serves as a remarkable architecture.
Still I can't get no place with you
However, I still cannot reach a place in your heart or relationship with you.
'Cause you're so supreme
You are of such high status, and I am unable to match your level of perfection.
Lyrics I write of you, I dream
I am filled with thoughts and inspiration, dreaming and writing about you constantly.
Dream day and night of you
I constantly have dreams of you in my mind, both while awake and asleep.
And I scheme just for the sight of you
I plot and plan to see you, coming up with ways to catch your attention or steal a glance.
Baby, what good does it do?
Despite my constant planning and dreaming, it feels pointless and unfruitful to not have a relationship with you.
I've been consulted by Franklin D
The famed President Franklin D. Roosevelt has sought my counsel.
Greta Garbo has had me to tea
Even notable figures like actress Greta Garbo have invited me to dine with them.
Still I'm broken-hearted
Despite all of my accomplishments and connections, my heart is still suffering from the pain of not being able to have a relationship with you.
'Cause I can't get started with you
The repeated line serves as a refrain highlighting my inability to start and maintain a relationship with you.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IRA GERSHWIN, VERNON DUKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind