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
Mary Costa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wonder why each little bird has a 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
And bring back a love song to me?
The lyrics of Mary Costa's song "Do You Hear That?/I Wonder" encapsulate the sentiment of love and the yearning for a partner to share it with. The singer wonders why every little bird seems to have someone to sing to, someone to love, and someone to share a sweet melody. She is left to wonder what is missing in her life that she does not have the same luxury of love and companionship.
The tone of the song is wistful as the singer ponders this question. She wonders if her heart keeps singing, will it eventually find someone who will appreciate her song and bring back a love song to her. The lyrics express the desire to be heard, seen, and loved, and the longing for a partner who can complete her song.
In essence, the song is exploring themes of loneliness, isolation, and the universal yearning for love and companionship. It is a beautiful and poignant reflection on the human experience, and the desire for connection.
Line by Line Meaning
I wonder, I wonder
I am curious and pondering about something.
I wonder why each little bird has a someone
I am questioning why every bird has a partner to sing to.
To sing to
They sing to their partner.
Sweet things to
They sing sweet words to their partner.
A gay little love melody?
Their song is a happy love melody.
I wonder, I wonder
I am still curious and pondering.
If my heart keeps singing will my song go winging
I am curious if my heart's song will fly away and magically find someone else.
To someone
Someone else out in the world.
Who'll find me
Someone who will come and find me.
And bring back a love song to me?
They will come back with a love song for me to hear.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: George Bruns, Ted Sears, Winston Hibler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind