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.
Looking At You
Mabel Mercer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm admiring the view
Cause it's you I'm seeing
And the sweet honey dew
Of well-being settles upon me
What is this light
That shines when you enter
Like a star in the night
From destroying my sight
If she centers all of it on me
Looking at you, I'm filled with the essence of
The quintessence of joy
Looking at you, I hear poets tellin' of
Lovely helen of troy
Darling
Life seemed so gray
I wanted to end it
Till that wonderful day
You started to mend it
And if you'll only stay
I'll spend it looking at you
The lyrics to “Looking at You” by Mabel Mercer describe the pure joy and happiness that the singer feels when she is with the person she loves. She admires the beauty of her surroundings, but it is the presence of her lover that truly makes her feel fulfilled. She likens the feeling to “sweet honey dew” settling on her, a metaphor for the peaceful contentment that comes from being with the one you love. She questions the power of this feeling, saying “what’s to prevent her from destroying my sight if she centers all of it on me?” implying that the intensity of her love could overwhelm her if she lets it take over completely. Despite this fear, the singer is filled with the “quintessence of joy” when she looks at her lover and knows that her life is richer because of her.
The lyrics of the song convey a sense of liberation and happiness, but they also speak of a specific moment in the singer's life when she found solace in her lover's company. The song is an ode to the power of love to heal, and it is a testament to the transformative effect of finding the person who makes you feel whole. The singer has experienced pain and suffering in her life, but the simple act of looking at her lover fills her with a sense of peace and joy. This song serves as a reminder that despite our challenges, the love and support of others can make all the difference.
Line by Line Meaning
While troubles are fleeing
As my worries begin to dissipate, I am filled with excitement and hope for what lies ahead.
I'm admiring the view
I am taking in the beauty of the world around me and feeling grateful for the things that bring me happiness.
Cause it's you I'm seeing
My joy is rooted in my love and adoration for you, and the knowledge that you are here with me now.
And the sweet honey dew
I am feeling nourished and content, like a plant that has been quenched by a refreshing rain.
Of well-being settles upon me
As I bask in the glory of this moment, I am overcome with a sense of peace and tranquility.
What is this light
I am filled with wonder and curiosity, as if I am gazing up at the stars in the night sky and marveling at the mysteries of the universe.
That shines when you enter
I feel like a beacon is lit up inside me whenever you are near, illuminating all the dark corners of my soul.
Like a star in the night
Your brilliance is like that of a twinkling star that lights up the darkness and provides guidance and direction.
And what's to prevent her
I wonder what forces could possibly stop you in your tracks or hinder your progress as you light up my life and the world around us.
From destroying my sight
I fear that your radiance might overwhelm me or blind me to what is truly important in life.
If she centers all of it on me
If you focus all your energy and devotion on me, I worry that it will consume me and that I will be unable to handle the intensity of your love and attention.
Looking at you, I'm filled with the essence of
When I gaze upon you, I feel as though I am absorbing the very heart and soul of all that is good and true.
The quintessence of joy
You embody the very essence of happiness and contentment, and being near you fills me with a sense of complete joy.
Looking at you, I hear poets tellin' of
Your beauty and grace inspire thoughts of great art and literature, and when I gaze at you, I feel as though I am hearing the words of master poets and storytellers.
Lovely helen of troy
You are like the legendary figure of Helen, whose beauty was so great that it launched a thousand ships, and who was the inspiration for countless works of art and literature.
Darling
My love and affection for you is deep and genuine, and I am grateful for every moment we spend together.
Life seemed so gray
Before you came into my life, I was lost and adrift, feeling as though there was no color or joy in the world.
I wanted to end it
I was so hopeless and despairing that I contemplated ending my own life, unable to see any hope or joy in the future.
Till that wonderful day
But then you came into my life, like a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day, and everything changed for the better.
You started to mend it
Your presence and love began to heal the wounds and scars of my past, making me feel whole and complete once again.
And if you'll only stay
I am filled with a sense of longing and desire, for I never want to be without you, even for a moment.
I'll spend it looking at you
Every moment of my life will be dedicated to cherishing and admiring you, for you are the light that guides me and the source of all that is good and true.
Lyrics © Roba Music Verlag GMBH, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cole Porter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
cattycorner
Beautiful!!
Emily Tienne
This is very nice.
Capt. Molyneaux
Her voice is gone, but I love her !
Jim P
Her voice is absolutely perfect. It's exactly the voice for Cole Porter - a voice that conveys a not entirely blissful past.
Patricia Yount
Love how you trills her r's!
Alejandro Callahan
All of her songs are just magical, those 2 people that disliked this don't know anything about music.
Peter Sonderegger
She reminds me of Florence Foster Jenkins who mutated into a swing singer
martin vega
Joan didion