McKenzie played the comb by placing tissue paper over the tines and blowing on it, which produced a sound similar to a kazoo. McKenzie also played the kazoo proper, and occasionally sang. He was a co-founder, with Jack Bland, of the Mound City Blue Blowers, who released a number of titles between 1924 and 1925 and were, for a time, a sensation. At the same time, McKenzie also recorded solo as Red McKenzie & the Candy Kids. In 1928, he fronted a group called McKenzie and Condon's Chicagoans for a few sides on Okeh Records. He returned to the Mound City name again in 1929, 1931, and 1935-36.
Beginning in 1931 (no doubt due to the popularity of crooners like Bing Crosby and Russ Columbo), he started recording as a singer, processing a very warm crooner style as a solo for Columbia and with Paul Whiteman in 1932. He sang again with the Spirits of Rhythm in 1934 and the Farley-Riley group in 1935. He made two swinging vocal records for Variety in 1937. Between 1939 and 1943 he went into retirement, moving back to his birthplace of St. Louis and working in a brewery, but appeared with Eddie Condon between 1944 to 1947 as a vocalist. Known as heavy drinker, he died of liver cirrhosis in 1948.
I Can't Get Started With You
Red McKenzie Lyrics
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And when you smiled at me,
In my heart I felt a thrill you see,
That it was love at sight and
I was right to love you as I do.
Still I never dreamed that you could love me too.
Your eyes of blue, your kisses too,
I can't believe that you're in love with me.
You're telling ev'ry one I know
I'm on your mind each place we go
They can't believe that you're in love with me.
I have always placed you far above me.
I just can't imagine that you love me.
And after all is said and done,
To think that I'm the lucky one.
I can't believe that you're in love with me.
Skies are gray. I'm blue each day
When you are not around.
Ev'ry thing goes wrong, my dear I've found
But when you're by my side I fill with pride
For I'm so proud of you
It all seems too good to me to all be true
Your eyes of blue, your kisses too,
I never knew what they could do.
I can't believe that you're in love with me.
You're telling ev'ry one I know
I'm on your mind each place we go
They can't believe that you're in love with me.
I have always placed you far above me.
I just can't imagine that you love me.
And after all is said and done,
To think that I'm the lucky one.
I can't believe that you're in love with me.
The song I Can't Get Started With You, performed by Red McKenzie, is a romantic ballad that explores the overwhelming nature of love. The lyrics describe the feeling of falling in love at first sight, realizing that the love is mutual and the disbelief that follows. The theme of the song is the surprising nature of love - the idea that it can happen unexpectedly and with intensity. The song portrays the emotions of someone who has fallen head-over-heels in love with another person.
The first verse describes a moment in the past when the loved one first smiled at the singer, and the singer felt a thrill inside. The verse sets the scene for the rest of the song, as it immediately establishes the deep connection that the singer feels to the loved one. Although the singer is certain of their love, they never dreamed that the loved one could feel the same way about them.
In the chorus, the singer expresses their shock that the loved one is actually in love with them. They are amazed that the loved one is telling everyone they know that they have feelings for the singer. The singer feels that their luck is too good to be true, and they are still in disbelief that the loved one loves them back.
The second verse explores the singer's feelings when they are away from the loved one. The skies are gray, and the singer feels blue when they are not around. However, when they are together, the singer feels a sense of pride and joy. They are proud of the loved one and feel lucky to be loved back. The chorus repeats, reiterating the singer's disbelief that their love is reciprocated.
Line by Line Meaning
Yesterday you came my way,
It was very recently when you made yourself known to me.
And when you smiled at me,
When you smiled at me, I felt something special in my heart.
In my heart I felt a thrill you see,
I felt a rush of excitement in my heart.
That it was love at sight and
I realized immediately that I was in love with you.
I was right to love you as I do.
My love for you is justified and true.
Still I never dreamed that you could love me too.
Despite my love for you, I never thought you would reciprocate my feelings.
Your eyes of blue, your kisses too,
Your blue eyes and your kisses are captivating and overwhelming to me.
I never knew what they could do.
I never understood the power of your eyes and your kisses until I experienced them.
You're telling ev'ry one I know
You share with everyone we know that you are in love with me.
I'm on your mind each place we go
You think of me wherever we go.
They can't believe that you're in love with me.
Those who know us find it hard to believe you love me.
I have always placed you far above me.
I have always considered you to be better than me.
I just can't imagine that you love me.
It's hard to fathom that you actually have feelings for me.
And after all is said and done,
Despite everything that has happened between us,
To think that I'm the lucky one.
I am grateful and fortunate to have your love.
I can't believe that you're in love with me.
I am in disbelief that you reciprocate my love.
Skies are gray. I'm blue each day
When you're not with me, everything becomes dull and uninspired.
When you are not around.
In your absence.
Ev'ry thing goes wrong, my dear I've found
In your absence, everything seems to go wrong for me.
But when you're by my side I fill with pride
When you're with me, I feel proud and confident.
For I'm so proud of you
I take great pride in being with you.
It all seems too good to me to all be true
Everything seems too perfect to be real.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Word Collections Publishing, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Spirit Music Group, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CLARENCE GASKILL, JIMMY MC HUGH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind