The stage name P.J. Proby was suggested to him by a friend named Sharon Sheeley (Eddie Cochran's girlfriend) who remembered the name of an old high school boyfriend.
P.J. Proby did demos for Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and other artists. His greatest hits are "Somewhere", "Maria", "Hold Me", "Niki Hoeky" and "I Apologise". In 1996, Marc Almond produced the album Legend which included the duet single "Yesterday Has Gone".
Que Sera
P.J. Proby Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I asked my mother, "What will I be?
Will I be pretty?
Will I be rich?"
Here's what she said to me
"Que sera, sera
Whatever will be, will be
Que sera, sera
What will be, will be"
When I was just a child in school
I asked my teacher, "What will I try?
Should I paint pictures"
Should I sing songs?"
This was her wise reply
"Que sera, sera
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours to see
Que sera, sera
What will be, will be"
When I grew up and fell in love
I asked my sweetheart, "What lies ahead?
Will we have rainbows
Day after day?"
Here's what my sweetheart said
"Que sera, sera
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours to see
Que sera, sera
What will be, will be"
Now I have Children of my own
They ask their mother, "What will I be?"
Will I be handsome?
Will I be rich?"
I tell them tenderly
"Que sera, sera
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours to see
Que sera, sera
What will be, will be
Que Sera, Sera!"
The song "Que Sera, Sera" by P.J. Proby is a timeless classic that captures the essence of life’s biggest uncertainties. Through its lyrics, Proby presents a simple yet profound message that resonates universally. The song talks about the uncertainties of the future and the importance of accepting whatever comes our way with grace and equanimity.
The lyrics evoke a sense of nostalgia as Proby traces his journey from childhood to adulthood, and finally, parenthood. The first stanza talks about his childhood when he would ask his mother about the future. His mother’s simple yet profound answer “Que Sera, Sera” encourages Proby to accept that the future is uncertain and cannot be predicted. In the second stanza, Proby talks about his youth when he fell in love and asked his sweetheart what lies ahead. Her response echoes his mother’s words, indicating that accepting the uncertainty of the future is key to leading a happy and contented life. The final stanza sees him in the role of a parent, where his children ask him the same questions his mother and sweetheart did, and he passes on the same life lesson he learned from them.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was just a little girl
As a young child, I once asked my mother about my future.
I asked my mother, what will I be
I enquired my mother about what I would become in the future - a query that I was curious to know about.
Will I be pretty, will I be rich
I was looking to know if I was going to have a pretty face, or if I would be wealthy.
Here's what she said to me.
Here's what my mother's response was to my question. She gave me an answer that was comforting and reassuring.
Que Sera, Sera, Whatever will be, will be
Meaning, the coming events in one's life are unpredictable and uncontrollable - hence we should not worry too much about what is to come.
The future's not ours, to see
Meaning, our future is a mystery that lies ahead of us - not meant for us to know in advance. Therefore, one must learn to live in the present and not worry too much about what is yet to come.
When I was young, I fell in love
During my growing years, I gradually developed feelings of love towards someone.
I asked my sweetheart what lies ahead
Curious about the future of our relationship, I asked my partner to enlighten me.
Will we have rainbows, day after day
I was eager to know if our love would bring happiness and shower us with good fortune throughout our life together - as portrayed in a rainbow.
Here's what my sweetheart said.
My partner responded with a philosophical viewpoint that I should not worry much about what the future holds.
Now I have children of my own
At present, as a parent, I have kids of my own to whom I pass on the same philosophical lesson that I learnt from my mother.
They ask their mother, what will I be
My children, just like me, are eager to know what lies ahead for them and what they would be in the distant future.
Will I be handsome, will I be rich
Just like how I awaited the prediction of my looks and wealth, my children are also apprehensive about their looks and financial standings in the future.
I tell them tenderly.
I, as a loving and caring mother, reassure them about the unpredictability of the future and how one should not stress too much about its uncertainties.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jay Livingston, Ray Evans, Billianne, Elijah Hill
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ronaldtennant5939
P.J. told Doris he was sorry he'd done a rockin' version of her great song.....Doris told him she loved it!
@rontenn
P.J.P........whatever he sings he's always brilliant,special & different.
@rontenn
Brilliant rocker!
@DJ-cb2yv
Different version sung by P J Proby, love the Doris Day recording, however, like P J's attempt at speeding this song up.
@Laughandsong
Normie Rowe had a smash hit in Australia with a cover of this version.
@duncanwalker7125
Laughandsong i was wondering wether Normie ripped off this version. Credit to PJP. 😋
@duncanwalker7125
One of my all time favourite songs and singers but the style is obviously PJP.
@DJ-cb2yv
All i Can say is,,,,,,,,,,, he's a lovely guy, everthing what you dreamed of, yeay, yeah. yaeh,. lovely guy.
@barbaraschain9260
Listen to Normie Rowe's version...👍🎤🔊
@DJ-cb2yv
What a sexy guy, i actually married a man who looked like James Marcus Smith, was fantastic for a while, didn't end good.