He began playing the accordion at age 3, and appeared on the radio program Hobby Lobby at age seven.
His composition "Little Bird" was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1963 (a minor hit on Fred Astaire's Ava label), and he formed the Pete Jolly Trio in 1964. With the Trio, and also as a solo artist, he recorded several albums, the last being in 2000, a collaboration with Swedish jazz pianist Jan Lundgren. He also worked with other notable jazz artists, including Buddy DeFranco, Art Pepper, and Red Norvo, and for many years with EZ music arranger and director Ray Conniff.
Jolly's music can be heard on television programs such as Get Smart, The Love Boat, I Spy, Mannix, M*A*S*H, and Dallas, as well as hundreds of movie soundtracks.
He died in Pasadena, California, from complications of bone marrow cancer, having been hospitalized from August to November, 2004.
I Love You
Pete Jolly Lyrics
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I've got you deep in the heart of me.
So deep in my heart that you're really a part of me.
I've got you under my skin.
I'd tried so not to give in.
I said to myself, this affair never will go so well.
But why should I try to resist when, baby, I know down well
I've got you under my skin?
I'd sacrifice anything come what might
For the sake of havin' you near
In spite of a warnin' voice that comes in the night
And repeats, repeats in my ear,
Don't you know, you fool, you never can win?
Use your mentality, wake up to reality.
But each time that I do just the thought of you
Makes me stop before I begin
Cause I've got you under my skin.
I would sacrifice anything come what might
For the sake of havin' you near
In spite of the warning voice that comes in the night
And repeats, how it yells in my ear,
Don't you know, you fool, ain't no chance to win
Why not use your mentality, get up, wake up to reality?
And each time I do just the thought of you
Makes me stop just before I begin
Cause I've got you under my skin.
And I like you under my skin.
The song "I've Got You Under My Skin" by Cole Porter, as performed by Pete Jolly, is an ode to the overpowering nature of love. The singer declares that their love interest has gotten under their skin and deep into their heart, becoming an inseparable part of them. Despite their initial attempts to resist and hold back, they eventually give in to the pull of their emotions. The singer admits that they would do anything to keep their love near, even if that means sacrificing other aspects of their life that may be warning them against it. The warning voice that comes to them in the night only serves to strengthen their resolve to hold on to their love, no matter what the cost.
What stands out about this song is the complexity and depth of the emotions being expressed. The singer is not simply expressing infatuation or lust, but rather a deep and profound connection with their love interest that goes to the very core of their being. The lyrics are full of contrasting elements, such as the attempt to resist versus the overwhelming pull of love, the warning voice of reason versus the deafening voice of passion, and the sacrifice of everything else versus the all-consuming love that remains. In many ways, the song seems to express the struggle that many people feel when confronting the complexities of love and the sacrifices it often requires.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got you under my skin.
You have become a part of me and I cannot help but think of you constantly.
I've got you deep in the heart of me.
Your presence has penetrated my being and I cannot shake the thought of you.
So deep in my heart that you're really a part of me.
Your influence is so powerful that I feel as though you are a physical part of me.
I'd tried so not to give in.
I attempted to resist my feelings for you, but it was futile.
I said to myself, this affair never will go so well.
I tried to convince myself that this relationship could not end positively.
But why should I try to resist when, baby, I know down well
I've got you under my skin?
There is no point in fighting my attraction to you because I am already deeply invested in you.
I'd sacrifice anything come what might
For the sake of havin' you near
I am willing to give up anything for just the opportunity to be in your presence.
In spite of a warnin' voice that comes in the night
And repeats, repeats in my ear,
Don't you know, you fool, you never can win?
Despite the nagging voice in my head telling me that our relationship is doomed to fail, I am still drawn to you.
Use your mentality, wake up to reality.
I should use logic to realize the impracticality of our relationship.
But each time that I do just the thought of you
Makes me stop before I begin
Just the thought of you causes me to pause and reconsider ending our relationship.
Cause I've got you under my skin.
Ultimately, you have a hold over me that I cannot escape.
And I like you under my skin.
Despite the struggles of our relationship, I still enjoy being in love with you.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cole Porter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind