Her musical talent may have been inherited; her father Richard Whiting, was a famous composer of popular songs. She also had an aunt, Margaret Young, who was also a singer and popular recording artist in the 1920s. In her childhood her singing ability was already noticed, and at the age of only seven she sang for singer-lyricist Johnny Mercer, with whom her father had worked on some popular songs. In 1942, Mercer started Capitol Records with two partners, and signed her as one of their earliest recording artists.
Until the mid-1950s, she continued to record for Capitol, but as she ceased to record songs that charted as hits, switched to Dot Records in 1958 and to Verve Records in 1960. She came back to Capitol in the mid-1960s, then went to London Records in 1966. On London, Whiting landed one last major hit single in 1966, "The Wheel Of Hurt," which hit #1 on the Easy Listening singles chart.
She continued to sing into the 1990s.
During the 1950s, she was married to record executive Lou Busch, who also recorded semi-anonymously as the ragtime pianist Joe "Fingers" Carr. They had one daughter. Her late-life marriage to younger gay porn star Jack Wrangler raised many eyebrows. When they first began dating, he protested, "But I'm gay!" to which she replied, "Only around the edges, dear."
She died on January 10, 2011 at the age of eighty-six.
I Only Have Eyes For You
Margaret Whiting Lyrics
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I don't know if it's cloudy or bright
'Cause I only have eyes for you, dear
The moon may be high
But I can't see a thing in the sky
'Cause I only have eyes for you
I don't know if we're in a garden
Or on a crowded avenue
Maybe millions of people go by
But they all disappear from view
And I only have eyes for you
I don't know if we're in a garden
Or on a crowded avenue
You are here, so am I
Maybe millions of people go by
But they all disappear from view
And I only have eyes for you
In Margaret Whiting's song "I Only Have Eyes for You," the singer expresses that her attention is solely fixed on her beloved. She asks if the stars are out tonight, but declares she doesn't know whether or not it's cloudy or bright, as she only has eyes for her special someone. The moon may be high, but she can't see it, since she has eyes only for the person before her. Whether they are in a garden or on a crowded avenue, she does not know - she is entranced by her loved one. The singer acknowledges that millions of people may be passing by, but to her they vanish from view as she is completely absorbed in her love interest.
The lyrics provide a beautiful portrayal of a person deeply in love, so captivated by her beloved that she is unable to focus on anything else. The use of the stars and moon as an analogy adds to the romantic tone of the song. The lyrics suggest that the singer's love transcends the physical world and is pure and true.
Line by Line Meaning
Are the stars out tonight?
I am only focused on you and your presence, I don't even pay attention to the outer world or its beauty
I don't know if it's cloudy or bright
My attention is solely on you, I am not aware of the weather or any other aspect of the environment
'Cause I only have eyes for you, dear
I am in love with you and only you, nothing else holds my attention except you
The moon may be high
Even if the moon is shining bright, I am unaware of it because I am too focused on you
But I can't see a thing in the sky
My vision and attention are limited to only you, my dear love. I am unaware of anything else around me
I don't know if we're in a garden
I am so engrossed and captured by your presence and your love that I don't know or care about our environment
Or on a crowded avenue
Whether we're in a peaceful garden or a noisy street, all that matters to me is you and your love
You are here, so am I
The only thing in the world that matters to me is your presence, and the fact that we can be together
Maybe millions of people go by
Even if the world around us is bustling with activity and is filled with people, they disappear from my vision when you're here
But they all disappear from view
My eyes, my heart, and my attention focus on only you, and I don't see anything else or anyone else around us
And I only have eyes for you
No matter what else is happening around us, I am deeply in love with you and will only have eyes for you
Writer(s): Al Dubin, Harry Warren
Contributed by Lila N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.