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 Like The Likes Of You
Mabel Mercer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 your 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,
Your looks are pure deluxe
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,
Your looks are pure deluxe
Looks like I like the likes of you!
In the song "I Like The Likes Of You," Mabel Mercer sings about her struggle to express her feelings to someone she likes. In the beginning, she talks about rehearsing a speech and hoping that the person does not think it is a breach of etiquette. She jokes about being from Connecticut, which may suggest that she is trying to fit into a particular social class or culture. However, she is still in a mess and cannot remember the speech she rehearsed. This line may indicate that she is nervous or anxious about revealing her feelings.
The focus of the song is on how much she likes the person and the specific things she likes about them. She mentions the person's eyes of blue and how much she likes them. She acknowledges that she struggles to say what she means but clarifies that she means to say that she likes the person and likes their looks, which are pure deluxe. The repetition of the phrase "I like the likes of you" emphasizes her infatuation with the person and her struggle to express it.
Overall, "I Like The Likes Of You" is a charming and humorous love song that reflects the universal struggle of expressing one's feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
Only last Saturday,
Just a few days ago, maybe even yesterday, but time blends together when you're lost in thought.
Or was it yesterday?
A sense of time disorientation and confusion leaves me unsure of whether it was yesterday or another day recently.
I was rehearsing a speech;
I was spending my time practicing and memorizing a certain set of words I was planning to say.
Really, I think it's a peach!
I believe the speech to be excellent, perhaps even perfect.
Hope you don't think it's a breach
I hope the listener doesn't think it's impolite or wrong of me to express such confidence in my own words.
Of recognized etiquette,
I'm familiar with and respect proper social behavior in this particular setting.
(I'm from Connecticut!)
This is meant to serve as a humorous detail that does not really tie in with the rest of the thoughts.
You see the state I'm in,
This is a self-referential comment on the artist's current state of mind and emotions, implying a state of clutter or confusion.
I mean I'm in a mess!
I'm having difficulty sorting through my thoughts and feelings in a coherent way, as if fumbling around in a mess of scattered ideas.
What was that speech?
This rhetorical question is an expression of further disorientation and forgetfulness, circling back to the concept of uncertainty.
Oh yes, yes!
A sudden realization or recollection happens, likely recalling the content of the speech in question.
I like the likes of you,
A simple and direct statement, indicating fondness and positive feelings toward the listener.
I like the things you do,
The singer has an affinity for the listener's actions or personality traits specifically, which sparks a connection.
I mean I like the likes of you!
The use of the phrase 'likes of' suggests this is a more general sentiment or preference towards a certain type of person.
I like your eyes of blue,
The singer is paying compliments to the listener, in this case mentioning their blue eyes as an attractive feature.
I think they're blue, don't you?
A rhetorical question, acknowledging that the artist could be mistaken but seeking confirmation.
I mean I like your eyes of blue!
Reiterating the previous compliment, but making sure the listener is aware of its sincerity and emphasis.
Oh dear, if I could only say what I mean,
A confession of frustration or difficulty in accurately expressing emotions, despite best intentions.
I mean if I could mean what I say,
A repetition of that previous thought, elaborating on the struggle between intention and execution of communication.
That is, I mean to say that I mean to say that;
A humorous and self-aware interjection, poking fun at the redundancy of what was just said and acknowledging the artist's own wordiness.
Your looks are pure deluxe
The previous comments on the listener's eyes are now extended to other aspects of their appearance, with 'pure deluxe' being an exaggerated expression of appreciation.
Looks like I like the likes of you!
Bringing the song full circle with a repeating lyric, this serves as an overall conclusion and summary of the artist's feelings toward the listener.
Lyrics © IMAGEM MUSIC INC, SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: DUKE HARBURG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind