They All Laughed
Michael Feinstein Lyrics
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The world thought the heights were too high to climb
But people from Missouri never incensed me
Oh, I wasn't a bit concerned for from history I had learned
How many, many times the worm had turned
They all laughed at Christopher Columbus
When he said, "The world was round"
They all laughed at Wilbur and his brother
When they said that man could fly
They told Marconi
Wireless was a phony
It's the same old cry
They laughed at me wantin' you
Said I was reaching for the moon
But oh, you came through
Now they'll have to change their tune
They all said we never could be happy
They laughed at us and how
But ho, ho, ho
Who's got the last laugh now?
They all laughed at Rockefeller Center
Now they're fighting to get in
They all laughed at Whitney and his cotton gin
They all laughed at Fulton and his steamboat
Hershey and his chocolate bar
Ford and his Lizzie
Kept the laughers busy
That's how people are
They laughed at me wantin' you
Said it would be, 'Hello', 'Goodbye'
But oh, you came through
Now they're eating humble pie
They all said we'd never get together
Darling, let's take a bow
For ho, ho, ho
Who's got the last laugh?
He, he, he
Let's at the past laugh
Ha, ha, ha
Who's got the last laugh now?
The song "They All Laughed" is about believing in oneself despite the odds and others' doubts. The lyrics touch on historical figures and inventions that were initially ridiculed or dismissed, such as Christopher Columbus's round earth theory, Edison's sound recording, and the Wright brothers' belief in powered flight. Other examples include Marconi's wireless communication, the construction of Rockefeller Center, and the creation of Hershey's chocolate bar.
The singer reflects on his own personal journey and how he faced his own set of naysayers when he expressed his desire to be with the person he loves. The critics mocked him and said he was aiming too high and destined to fail. However, he remained persistent and committed to his goal, with the result that he now has the last laugh.
The song is meant to inspire and encourage those who may be facing similar obstacles and challenges, reminding them that many great ideas and innovations were once considered impossible or laughed at. The message is that anything is possible with determination, hard work, and belief in oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
The odds were a hundred to one against me
The chances of me succeeding were slim
The world thought the heights were too high to climb
Everyone believed that it was impossible to achieve greatness
But people from Missouri never incensed me
But I never doubted myself
Oh, I wasn't a bit concerned for from history I had learned
I was not worried because I knew from history that things can change
How many, many times the worm had turned
The tide can turn in unexpected ways
They all laughed at Christopher Columbus
Everyone mocked Christopher Columbus
When he said, "The world was round"
When he claimed that the world was not flat
They all laughed when Edison recorded sound
Everyone laughed at Edison when he invented a way to record sound
They all laughed at Wilbur and his brother
Everyone laughed at the Wright Brothers
When they said that man could fly
When they claimed that man could fly
They told Marconi
They also told Marconi
Wireless was a phony
That wireless communication was not possible
It's the same old cry
It is a common response to innovative ideas
They laughed at me wantin' you
Everyone laughed at me for trying to win your heart
Said I was reaching for the moon
Said that I was aiming too high
But oh, you came through
But you accepted my love
Now they'll have to change their tune
Now everyone has to change their opinion
They all said we never could be happy
Everyone said that we would never be happy together
They laughed at us and how
Everyone laughed at us
But ho, ho, ho
But now
Who's got the last laugh now?
We have overcome and are happy
They all laughed at Rockefeller Center
Everyone laughed at Rockefeller Center
Now they're fighting to get in
Now everyone wants to be there
They all laughed at Whitney and his cotton gin
Everyone laughed at Whitney and his invention of the cotton gin
They all laughed at Fulton and his steamboat
Everyone laughed at Fulton and his invention of the steamboat
Hershey and his chocolate bar
Everyone laughed when Hershey created his famous chocolate bar
Ford and his Lizzie
And when Ford introduced his famous Model T car, his critics laughed
Kept the laughers busy
But Ford proved them wrong with his great success
They all said we'd never get together
Everyone said that we would not be a couple
Darling, let's take a bow
Let's celebrate our success
He, he, he
Now, now
Let's at the past laugh
Let's laugh at our critics
Ha, ha, ha
Ha, ha, ha
Who's got the last laugh now?
We are the ones who have triumphed
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., SONGS MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: GEORGE GERSHWIN, IRA GERSHWIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Arya Stark
Deborah Ann Woll's interview brought me here lol. I like the way she sang it better.
Joe Koncz
me too!