In 1974 and 1975, she recorded for Avco Records, and, in 1981, recorded for Plantation Records, her most recent record label. Page's most recent single to appear on any Billboard chart was the 1982 #80 country single, "My Man Friday". (She last appeared on the pop chart in 1968, with her version of O.C. Smith's hit, "Little Green Apples", and on the Adult Contemporary chart with "Give Him Love" in 1971.)
Page made the country chart in up to 1983, with her biggest hit during that time being "Hello, We're Lonely," a 1973 #14 duet with Tom T. Hall.
In the 1990s, Page started her own label, C.A.F. Records. In 1998, she won a Grammy as "Best Traditional Pop Singer". Page continued to record into the new millenium with the CDs BRAND NEW TENNESSEE WALTZ, SWEET SOUNDS OF CHRISTMAS (2002), CHILD OF MINE (2003) and her last 2009 release BEST OF COUNTRY. Many of her songs have a strong beat to them that prelude rock 'n' roll. These titles include "Mister and Mississippi", "Detour" and "Cross Over the Bridge". In 1956, she married choreographer Charles O'Curran. They adopted two children, a daughter, Kathleen, and a son, Daniel O'Curran.
Cabaret
Patti Page Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come hear the music play
Life is a cabaret, old chum,
Come to the cabaret.
Put down the knitting, the book, and the broom.
Time for a holiday.
Life is a cabaret, old chum,
Come taste the wine,
Come hear the band,
Come blow your horn,
Start celebrating,
Right this way,
Your table's waiting.
No use permitting
Some prophet of doom to wipe every smile away
Life is a cabaret, old chum,
So come to the cabaret!
I used to have this girlfriend known as Elsie,
With whom I shared four sorbid rooms in Chelsea.
She wasn't what you'd call
A blushing flower.
As a matter of fact
She rented by the hour.
The day she died the neighbours came to snicker
"Well, that's what comes from
Too much pills and liquor."
But when I saw her laid out like a queen,
She was the happiest corpse
I'd ever seen
I think of Elsie to this very day
I remember how she'd turned to me and say:
"What good is sitting alone in your room?
Come hear the music play
Life is a cabaret, old chum,
Come to the cabaret.
And as for me,
As for me
I made my mind up, back in Chelsea,
When I go, I'm going like Elsie
Start by admitting from cradle to tomb
Isn't that long a stay
Life is a cabaret, old chum,
It's only a cabaret, old chum,
And I love the cabaret.
The opening lines of Patti Page’s famous song “Cabaret” entice listeners to leave their solitary lives and join a world of music and celebration in a cabaret. The song is a portrayal of the hedonistic lifestyle of cabaret-goers who choose to live in the moment and take pleasure in the experience of life. The language used in the song is carefree and lively, inviting the listener to put down “the knitting, the book, and the broom” and embrace a joyful existence.
The song also alludes to the darker side of life that can be found in cabarets that are often associated with debauchery and vice. The line, “No use permitting some prophet of doom to wipe every smile away” suggests the songsters’ carefree attitude towards life is not always well-received. Furthermore, the lyrics mention a woman named Elsie, who lived a life of substance abuse, and was initially met with scorn by the neighbours upon her death. However, she was laid out in the most beautiful way possible and looked as happy and content as ever.
To conclude, “Cabaret” is a song that invites us to let loose and enjoy life without worry. Despite the inevitable darkness and sadness that life brings, the song encourages us to make the most of every moment and embrace the little pleasures that make life worth living.
Line by Line Meaning
What good is sitting alone in your room?
Why stay in solitude and miss out on the fun?
Come hear the music play
Step out and enjoy the live music.
Life is a cabaret, old chum,
Life is an entertainment show, my friend.
Come to the cabaret.
Join the fun at the elaborate nightclub.
Put down the knitting, the book, and the broom.
Drop all the boring housework and take some time off.
Time for a holiday.
It's holiday time, a break from the routine.
Come taste the wine,
Experience the joy of tasting the wine.
Come hear the band,
Listen to the tune played by the band.
Come blow your horn,
Let yourself go and play an instrument in celebration.
Start celebrating,
Let the good times begin.
Right this way,
Follow me, I will take you there.
Your table's waiting.
A reserved table is waiting for you.
No use permitting
No point in allowing
Some prophet of doom to wipe every smile away
Negative people can ruin a good mood.
So come to the cabaret!
Join me at the cabaret and forget your worries.
I used to have this girlfriend known as Elsie,
I had a friend named Elsie.
With whom I shared four sorbid rooms in Chelsea.
We lived together in small, gloomy rooms in Chelsea.
She wasn't what you'd call
She wasn't exactly
A blushing flower.
A delicate and innocent person.
As a matter of fact
In fact.
She rented by the hour.
She worked as a prostitute.
The day she died the neighbours came to snicker
When she died, the neighbors were cruel and laughed.
"Well, that's what comes from
"That's what happens when
Too much pills and liquor."
Using too many drugs and drinking too much.
But when I saw her laid out like a queen,
When Elsie was laid out in her casket, she looked like royalty.
She was the happiest corpse
Despite the hardships in her life, Elsie looked peaceful in death.
I'd ever seen
I have never seen such a happy corpse before.
I think of Elsie to this very day
I remember Elsie even now.
I remember how she'd turned to me and say:
I recall how she spoke to me, telling me:
"What good is sitting alone in your room?
"Why stay in solitude and miss out on the fun?
And as for me,
As for myself
As for me
Personally, I
I made my mind up, back in Chelsea,
I decided long ago when I lived in Chelsea,
When I go, I'm going like Elsie
When I die, I want to be content like Elsie.
Start by admitting from cradle to tomb
Acknowledge that one's time on earth is limited.
Isn't that long a stay
A human life is relatively short.
It's only a cabaret, old chum,
Life is just an entertaining show, my friend.
And I love the cabaret.
I enjoy the entertainment and fun of cabaret-style living.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, ROUND HILL CARLIN, LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Fred Ebb, John Kander
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Primrose Haran
Such a beautiful voice thanks for this lovely post