After entertaining British troops alongside fellow child stars Julie Andrews and Anthony Newley, Clark made her film debut with A Medal for the General in 1944. By the dawn of the '50s she was a superstar throughout the U.K., with a rรฉsumรฉ of close to two-dozen films; 1954's "The Little Shoemaker" was her first Top 20 single, while 1960's "Sailor" was her first chart-topper. Still, Clark struggled with her inability to shed her adolescent image. After selling over a million copies of 1961's "Romeo," she married and relocated to France, establishing a strong fan base there on the strength of hits including "Ya-Ya Twist," "Chariot," and "Monsieur," which spotlighted a new, more sophisticated pop sound anchored by her crystalline vocals.
Riding the wave of the British Invasion, Clark was finally able to penetrate the U.S. market in 1964 with the Grammy-winning "Downtown," the first single by a British woman ever to reach number one on the American pop charts. It was also the first in a series of American Top Ten hits (most written and arranged by Tony Hatch) which also included 1965's "I Know a Place" and 1966's "I Couldn't Live Without Your Love," and the number one smash "My Love." At the same time, she remained a huge star throughout Europe, topping the British charts in 1967 with "This Is My Song," taken from the film A Countess from Hong Kong. In addition to hosting her own BBC series, she also starred in the 1968 NBC television special Petula, which triggered controversy when sponsors requested that a segment with guest Harry Belafonte be cut in deference to Southern affiliates; ultimately, the show aired in its intended form.
As the '60s drew to a close, Clark's commercial stature slipped, although singles like "Don't Sleep on the Subway," "The Other Man's Grass Is Always Greener," and "Kiss Me Goodbye" still charted on both sides of the Atlantic. In 1968, she revived her film career by starring in Finian's Rainbow, followed a year later by Goodbye, Mr. Chips. In later years, Clark focused primarily on international touring, headlining the 1981 London revival of Rodgers & Hammerstein's The Sound of Music; after starring in the 1990 musical Someone Like You, which she also co-wrote, she made her Broadway debut in Blood Brothers in 1993. Additionally, in 1988, an acid-house remix of "Downtown" reached the U.K. Top Ten, another honor for the female singer awarded the most gold records in British pop history.
It Had to Be You
Pรฉtula Clark Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why must I just give you your way?
Why do I sigh?
Why do I try to forget?
It must have been that something lovers call "Fate"
Kept on saying I had to wait
I saw them all
It had to be you, it had to be you
I wandered around and finally found the somebody who
Could make me be true, could make me be blue
And even be glad just to be sad thinkin' of you
Some others I've seen might never be mean
Might never be cross or try to be boss, but they wouldn't do
For nobody else gave me a thrill
With all your faults, I love you still
It had to be you, wonderful you, it had to be you
The song "It Had to Be You" by Petula Clark is a ballad that explores the idea of fate and destiny in love. The singer is questioning why she is so willing to give in to her lover, and why she can't forget him even when she tries. She concludes that something greater than herself, something that lovers call "fate," brought her and her lover together. The lyrics suggest that her love for him is not based on his perfection or lack of flaws, but on a deep, unexplainable connection.
The opening lines of the song, "Why do I do just as you say? / Why must I just give you your way?" suggest that the singer feels somewhat powerless in her relationship. She may be frustrated with the imbalance of power between herself and her lover, but ultimately accepts his dominance. The lines "it must have been that something lovers call fate / kept on saying I had to wait" suggest that despite her reservations, the singer's love for her partner is somehow destined.
The chorus of the song reinforces this idea, with the singer repeating that her love "had to be you." She suggests that no one else could take his place, and that even his faults are part of what she loves about him. This reinforces the idea that love is not always rational or logical, but rather an unexplainable force that has led the singer to her lover.
Line by Line Meaning
Why do I do just as you say?
I follow your directions because I trust you and your judgment.
Why must I just give you your way?
I am willing to compromise and accommodate your preferences because of my affection for you.
Why do I sigh?
I feel content and fulfilled when I think about you and our relationship.
Why do I try to forget?
I attempt to erase thoughts of you from my mind because they are distracting me from other tasks and activities.
It must have been that something lovers call "Fate"
Our paths were destined to cross and for us to fall in love.
Kept on saying I had to wait
Even though I was impatient, I knew that great love takes time and effort to find and develop.
I saw them all
I dated many people, but none of them fulfilled me like you do.
Just couldn't fall till we met
I was unable to experience true love until we found each other.
It had to be you, it had to be you
You are the only person who could make me feel this way.
I wandered around and finally found the somebody who
After searching for so long, I finally found the person I was meant to be with.
Could make me be true, could make me be blue
You bring out the best and worst in me, but I am always honest and loyal to you.
And even be glad just to be sad thinkin' of you
Even when I am sad or missing you, I feel joy knowing that you are in my life.
Some others I've seen might never be mean
I have met many kind and decent people, but none of them could compare to you.
Might never be cross or try to be boss, but they wouldn't do
Although other suitors may be respectful and easygoing, they do not have the same spark and connection that I share with you.
For nobody else gave me a thrill
You are the only person who can excite and inspire me in this way.
With all your faults, I love you still
Even though you are not perfect, I love and accept you completely.
It had to be you, wonderful you, it had to be you
You are my soulmate and the perfect match for me.
Lyrics ยฉ Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Isham Jones, Gus Kahn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jane Geronimo
Look at me
I can see there's no love in your eyes
Though you try to pretend
Look at me
Aw, there's no need to explain how you're feeling
I guess it's the end
And when you go
I will try not to cry as you kiss me goodbye
You'll never know
How much I'll miss you so
If ever you're lonely
If ever you're blue
If ever you need me
I'm waiting for you
And though your love has gone
You're still the only one
So if ever you're lonely
I'll run straight to you
Now as you walk away
Remember what I say
If ever you're lonely
I'm lonely like you
In my heart
For some time I have known deep inside
You have somebody new
But my heart
Will still want you forever
Although it is broken in two
You're not to blame
No, go be happy with her
And if one night you whisper my name
Come to my arms again
If ever you're lonely
If ever you're blue
If ever you need me
I'm waiting for you
And though your love has gone
You're still the only one
So if you're lonely I'll run straight to you, yeah
Now as you walk away
Remember what I say
If ever you're lonely
I'm lonely like you
If ever you're lonely darling
Da da de da ah oh
Da da de da ah oh
If ever you're lonely I'll run straight to you
Aurora Matheus Sonco
Beautiful song.
Danilo Mejica
petula clark is one of my favorite female singers. Her songs really touches the heart.
Thomas Jr Dangos
Oh boy! This song sent me travelling back in time & is giving me misty eyes...thank you for posting.
Jane Geronimo
Look at me
I can see there's no love in your eyes
Though you try to pretend
Look at me
Aw, there's no need to explain how you're feeling
I guess it's the end
And when you go
I will try not to cry as you kiss me goodbye
You'll never know
How much I'll miss you so
If ever you're lonely
If ever you're blue
If ever you need me
I'm waiting for you
And though your love has gone
You're still the only one
So if ever you're lonely
I'll run straight to you
Now as you walk away
Remember what I say
If ever you're lonely
I'm lonely like you
In my heart
For some time I have known deep inside
You have somebody new
But my heart
Will still want you forever
Although it is broken in two
You're not to blame
No, go be happy with her
And if one night you whisper my name
Come to my arms again
If ever you're lonely
If ever you're blue
If ever you need me
I'm waiting for you
And though your love has gone
You're still the only one
So if you're lonely I'll run straight to you, yeah
Now as you walk away
Remember what I say
If ever you're lonely
I'm lonely like you
If ever you're lonely darling
Da da de da ah oh
Da da de da ah oh
If ever you're lonely I'll run straight to you
Al Reyes
very good song I used to play it every week! My favorite female singer.
Darren Plumpton
Petula Clark is THE GREATEST FEMALE VOCALIST OF ALL TIME.
Scott Vidal
My mother used to play this its brings her back for a few minutes... happy memories... thank you for uploading this x
Janett Grady
One of the best by one of the best.
Fawzi Ahmed
BEAUTIFUL SONG FOR BEAUTIFUL SINGER
Darren Plumpton
Petula Clark is THE GREATEST FEMALE VOCALIST OF ALL TIME.