Finding his voice in a school choir, Crawford began his professional career still a teenager. Having some luck on the London stage in the early 60s, he then found his way onto the BBC and starred in various programmes such as 'Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em'. He also had film roles in 'The War Lover', 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum'. and 'How I Won the War' (which brought him into the same work as John Lennon).
Andrew Lloyd Webber's casting of him opposite Sarah Brightman and Steve Barton as the Phantom in 1986 shot his career into high gear. Winning a Tony Award for his role, Crawford also had the aforementioned tune, "The Music Of The Night", reach the British Top Ten. He has released several studio albums such as 'A Touch of Music in the Night' and 'On Eagle's Wings' among others.
Other Pleasures/The First Man You Remember
Michael Crawford Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Other Pleasures
GEORGE:
Jenny,
You're a miracle!
Is there nothing you conceal?
You astonish me!
Never hiding
What you feel...
Other pleasures...
And I've known many...
Afternoons
In warm Venetian squares,
Brief encounters,
Long siestas...
Pleasures old and new
Can't compare with you.
You amaze me!
Where did you come from?
You do things
Champagne could never do.
Crystal winters,
Crimson summers...
Other pleasures --
I would trade them all
For you.
Pleasures old and new
Can't compare with you...
Wild mimosa,...
The scent of evening...
Shuttered rooms
With sunlight breaking through...
Crazy soirees...
Lazy Sundays...
Other pleasures...
I would trade them all
For you.
Sailing off
In the night
On a silver lake...
Taking more
From this life
Thank I ought to take...
Other pleasures...
I would trade them all
For you.
The First Man You Remember
GEORGE:
I want to be
The first man you remember,
I want to be
The last man you forget.
I want to be
The one you always turn to,
I want to be
The one you won't regret.
May I be first
To say you look delightful?
May I be first
To dance you round the floor?
The very first
To see your face by moonlight?
The very first
To walk you to your door?
JENNY:
Well, young man, I'd be delighted!
There is nothing I would rather do!
What could be a sweeter memory
Than sharing my first dance with you?
GEORGE:
I want to be
The first man you remember...
JENNY:
The very first
To sweep me off my feet.
GEORGE:
I want to be
The one you always turn to...
JENNY:
The first to make
My young heart miss a beat.
GEORGE:
Seems the stars are far below us...
JENNY:
The moon has never felt so close before...
Our first dance will be forever...
GEORGE:
And may it lead to many more!
I want to be
The first man you remember...
JENNY:
The very first
To sweep me off my feet.
GEORGE:
I want to be
The one you always turn to
JENNY:
The first to make
My young heart miss a beat.
GEORGE:
I want to be
The one you always turn to
I want to be
The one you won't regret...
GEORGE AND JENNY:
The very first...
The very first...
The two lyrics, "Other Pleasures" and "The First Man You Remember," are both from the musical Aspects of Love. "Other Pleasures" is sung by George, a wealthy middle-aged man who has an affair with Jenny, a 17-year-old French girl, while "The First Man You Remember" is a duet between George and Jenny, in which George expresses his desire to be the first and last man in Jenny's life.
In "Other Pleasures," George expresses his amazement at Jenny's honesty and openness, as well as his willingness to give up all other pleasures in order to be with her. He lists various experiences he has had in his life, including "afternoons in warm Venetian squares" and "sailing off in the night on a silver lake," but claims that none of these can compare to being with Jenny. This simple, romantic song highlights George's infatuation with Jenny and his willingness to give up his previous pleasures in order to be with her.
"The First Man You Remember" takes place in a garden, where George asks Jenny to dance with him. He expresses his desire to be the first and most important man in her life, the one she always turns to and doesn't regret. Jenny responds positively to George's advances, and the two dance and enjoy each other's company. The duet is a sweet and romantic moment between the two characters, as George expresses his love for Jenny and Jenny reciprocates his feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
Jenny, You're a miracle!
George is amazed by Jenny's remarkable qualities.
Is there nothing you conceal?
George wonders if there is anything Jenny ever hides from him.
Never hiding What you feel...
George admires that Jenny is always honest about her emotions.
Other pleasures...
George acknowledges that there are other enjoyable things in life besides Jenny.
And I've known many...
George has experienced many of those other pleasures before.
Afternoons In warm Venetian squares, Brief encounters, Long siestas...
George has enjoyed various activities in different settings and situations.
Pleasures old and new Can't compare with you.
Despite having experienced many pleasures, none of them can compare to being with Jenny.
You amaze me! Where did you come from?
George is astounded by Jenny's exceptional qualities and curious about her background.
You do things Champagne could never do.
George is impressed that Jenny brings him more happiness than any materialistic luxury could.
Crystal winters, Crimson summers...
George has experienced the beauty of different seasons.
Other pleasures -- I would trade them all For you.
George would give up all other pleasures for the chance to be with Jenny.
I want to be The first man you remember...
George wants to make a lasting impression on Jenny and be remembered as the first man she loved.
The last man you forget.
George hopes to never be forgotten by Jenny.
The one you always turn to...
George wants to be the person Jenny goes to for anything she needs.
The one you won't regret.
George wants to be someone who Jenny will never regret being with.
May I be first To say you look delightful?
George wants to compliment Jenny first and make her feel special.
May I be first To dance you round the floor? The very first To see your face by moonlight? The very first To walk you to your door?
George wants to experience romantic firsts with Jenny and create unforgettable memories together.
Well, young man, I'd be delighted! There is nothing I would rather do! What could be a sweeter memory Than sharing my first dance with you?
Jenny is happy to share her first dance with George and create a sweet memory together.
The very first To sweep me off my feet.
Jenny wants George to be the one who makes her heart skip a beat and experience romantic moments together.
Seems the stars are far below us... The moon has never felt so close before...
George feels like they are in a magical moment, where the stars shine bright and the moon is near.
Our first dance will be forever... And may it lead to many more!
George hopes that the first dance with Jenny will be the start of a long-lasting and loving relationship.
The one you won't regret...
George wants to be someone who will never disappoint Jenny.
The very first...
Both George and Jenny are excited to share romantic first experiences together.
Contributed by Molly H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.