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.
Just One Of Those Things
Mabel Mercer Lyrics
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Just one of those crazy flings
One of those bells that now and then rings
Just one of those things
It was just one of those nights
Just one of those fabulous flights
A trip to the moon on gossamer wings
If we'd thought a bit before the end of it
When we started painting the town
We'd have been aware that our love affair
Was too hot not to cool down
So goodbye, dear, and amen
Here's hoping we meet now and then
It was great fun
But it was just one of those things
In Mabel Mercer's "Just One of Those Things," she talks about a fleeting romance that ended as suddenly as it appeared. The lyrics speak of a love affair that was exciting and passionate, but ultimately didn't last. The initial verse mentions that it was just one of those things, a crazy fling that came out of nowhere and was over before they knew it. The second verse elevates the feeling of the night to something otherworldly, describing it as a trip to the moon on gossamer wings.
The third verse almost reflects on the situation as if the lovebirds could have prevented the abrupt ending by considering the outcome at the start. The lyrics indicate that they could have predicted that their love would cool down, but the couple was too caught up in the excitement of the moment to think about it. The song ends with a sentiment that while it was great fun, their relationship was just one of those things, and they must bid each other goodbye.
Line by Line Meaning
It was just one of those things
This was one of those things that happen without a clear cause or explanation.
Just one of those crazy flings
This was a spontaneous and intense romance that was not expected to last.
One of those bells that now and then rings
This was a rare opportunity or event that happened unexpectedly.
Just one of those things
Again, this was just one of those unpredictable situations.
It was just one of those nights
The experience took place in the evening, adding to the mystery and excitement of the situation.
Just one of those fabulous flights
This was an exhilarating adventure, filled with unexpected twists and turns.
A trip to the moon on gossamer wings
This exceptional event felt otherworldly or magical, and the flight was as light and delicate as gossamer.
If we'd thought a bit before the end of it
If we had taken a moment to reflect on the situation, it might have led to a different outcome.
When we started painting the town
When we were out on the town, celebrating this exciting new chapter in our lives.
We'd have been aware that our love affair
We would have understood that our intense romance was not sustainable and would eventually fizzle out.
Was too hot not to cool down
Our intense passion was bound to lose its intensity over time, as it was unsustainable in the long run.
So goodbye, dear, and amen
Farewell, my love, and may we find happiness in our separate paths.
Here's hoping we meet now and then
We hope to cross paths again in the future, even if it is only for a moment.
It was great fun
We both enjoyed ourselves immensely during this wild and crazy experience.
But it was just one of those things
Ultimately, this encounter was ephemeral, but it gave us both an exciting and memorable experience to hold onto.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cole Porter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind