Costa showed her musical ability at an early age, singing Sunday School solos at the age of six. At 14, she moved to Hollywood with her parents and soon won a Music Sorority Award as the outstanding voice among Southern California High School seniors.
While studying for the concert stage, she performed with Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy on radio, and with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis on stage. In 1952 after attending a party with her future husband, director Frank Tashlin, she found herself auditioning for the part of Disney's Princess Aurora. Walt Disney called her personally within hours of the audition to inform her that the part was hers.
Costa went on to become "one of the most beautiful women to grace the operatic stage," according to The New York Times. She performed in 44 operatic roles on stages throughout the world, including Jules Massenet's Manon at the Metropolitan Opera, and the lead in La Traviata at the Royal Opera House in London.
Jacqueline Kennedy asked her to sing at a memorial service for her husband, U.S. President John F. Kennedy, from the Los Angeles Sports Arena in 1963. Nine years later, she starred in the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer feature The Great Waltz, depicting the life of Austrian composer Johann Strauss.
Costa dedicated her later years to inspiring children and teenagers, giving motivational talks at schools and colleges across the country. She is also an Ambassador for Childhelp USA, which ministers to the needs of abused children.
I Wonder {Sleeping Beauty}
Mary Costa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Each little bird has someone to sing to
Sweet things to a gay little love melody?
I wonder, I wonder if my heart keeps singing
Will my song go winging to someone who'll find me
And bring back a love song to me?
Mary Costa's song "I Wonder" from the classic Disney movie Sleeping Beauty is a beautiful ballad that depicts Princess Aurora's longing for love. In the first verse, Aurora wonders why every little bird has someone to sing to with sweet melodies of love, but she is still waiting for love to come her way. The second verse showcases her hopes and desires, where she wonders if her song of love will reach someone who will reciprocate and bring back a love song for her.
The song is not just about Aurora's desire for love; it has a deeper meaning that resonates with many people. It speaks about the longing for companionship, the fear of loneliness, and the hope of finding true love. Mary Costa's rendition of the song is full of emotion and gives Aurora's character depth and complexity, making her more relatable to the audience.
Overall, "I Wonder" is a beautifully composed song with deep lyrics that evoke strong emotions in the listeners, making it one of the most memorable and beloved songs from the Disney canon.
Line by Line Meaning
I wonder, I wonder, I wonder why
I am curious about something and I want to know the reason behind it.
Each little bird has someone to sing to
It seems like every bird has a partner or someone to sing to their love song.
Sweet things to a gay little love melody?
They sing lovely, happy songs of love to each other.
I wonder, I wonder if my heart keeps singing
I am still curious and questioning whether my heart should keep singing.
Will my song go winging to someone who'll find me
Is there someone out there who will hear my love song and find me because of it?
And bring back a love song to me?
If someone hears my love song and finds me, will they sing a love song back to me?
Lyrics Β© Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Walt Disney Music Company, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GEORGE EDWARD BRUNS, WINSTON HIBLER, TED SEARS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lyndakorner2383
Hey, Walt Disney Records, why don't you listen to the founder of the company, instead of putting these videos from "Sleeping Beauty" in YouTube Kids?
"I do not make films for children... or, at least, not primarily for children."
"You're dead if you aim for kids."
"We design the films to appeal to ourselves."
"The adults have the money.Β .... children don't have any money."
- Walt Disney
@trevoraliff2508
The absolute best voice of all the Disney princesses! β€
@tanner23315
One of the best Disney classics. A work of art.
I love Sleeping Beauty π€©πΉ
@vintage_life
Her voiceβ€π©
@Rodimus75
Mary Costa was an opera singer before Walt Disney cast her as the speaking and singing voice of Aurora/Briar Rose.
@GirlScoutCookies420
She was the only Disney princess voice that was an actual opera singer π₯Ή
@sagittariusbeauty
Her gorgeous voice, her looks, and the background is soo πβ¨βοΈ
@robinsonjiengimchoo
I πππ₯°πMary Costa's voice. So beautiful.
@viviannettes
SHE IS SO UNDERRATED HELP
@GirlScoutCookies420
Quite honesty she has the most beautiful voice of all the Disney princesses. You can even tell itβs the most professionally trained as well.
@amychester8735
I'm trying. Btw Lana Del Rey...go away