Born in Oakland, California, McKuen ran away from home at the age of eleven to escape an alcoholic stepfather and to send what money he could to his mother. After a series of jobs, from lumberjack, ranch hand, railroad worker to rodeo cowboy, throughout the west, McKuen began in the 1950s to excite audiences with his poetry readings, appearing with such well-known poets as Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg; during this time, he often used the pseudonym "Dor". He moved to New York City in 1959 to compose and conduct for the TV show "The CBS Workshop." By the 1960s he had achieved fame, far surpassing in sales the works of the Beat poets who preceded him. During the early 1960s he spent most of his time in France. This began his project to translate the work of legendary singer/songwriter Jacques Brel, into English.
He became an icon across college campuses for his ability to capture in verse the feelings of anxiety, love, confusion, and hope that were common during the Vietnam era. His public readings had the drawing power of a rock concert.
McKuen’s commercial success was unparalleled in the field of modern poetry. His poetic works have been translated into a dozen languages and sold over 65 million copies. Throughout his career he continued to enjoy sell-out concerts around the world and appeared regularly at New York’s famed Carnegie Hall.
As a songwriter, he contributed to the sale of over 100 million records. His material has been recorded by such artists as Love's Been Good To Me (1969), Waylon Jennings, The London Philharmonic, Greta Keller, Perry Como, and Madonna. Perhaps his most well-known song is Jean (1969).
McKuen proved to be a prolific songwriter, penning over 1,500 songs. He collaborated with a variety of internationally renowned composers, including Henry Mancini and John Williams, and a highly successful series of albums with Anita Kerr. His symphonies, concertos, and other classical works have been performed by orchestras around the globe. His suite for narrator and orchestra, "The City", was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in Music. His work as a composer in the film industry garnered him two Academy Award nominations.
Throughout his multi-award-winning career, McKuen paired his artistic endeavors with a spirit for social reform. Before a tour of South Africa in the 1970s, McKuen demanded “mixed seating” among white and black concert-goers, opening the doors for successful tours by a variety of African-American performers, including Sammy Davis, Jr. and Ella Fitzgerald. He also spearheaded efforts to raise AIDS awareness and fund charities for children and senior citizens. His humanitarian efforts twice won him the prestigious Freedoms Foundation Award.
It Had to Be You
Rod McKuen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wandered around and finally found the somebody who
Could make me be true, could make me feel 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.
With all your faults, I love you still,
It had to be you, wonderful you,
It had to be you.
It had to be you, it had to be you.
I wandered around and finally found 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 Rod McKuen is a heartfelt love song that expresses the idea of destiny and true love. The lyrics are about finding the right person who can make one be true and feel blue. The singer explains that he has searched and wandered around until he found someone who could make him feel emotions that he has not felt before. Even when thinking of this person brings sadness, he is still grateful for their presence in his life.
The second verse highlights the uniqueness of the person being sung about. The singer mentions that other people might not have the negative qualities that this person has, but they wouldn't do. He has found someone who gives him a thrill despite their faults, and he still loves them. The chorus repeats the idea that it had to be this person, and they are described as wonderful.
The song's lyrics explore the theme of destiny and finding one's soulmate. The singer is convinced that the person he has found is the one meant for him, regardless of their flaws. The words evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing for the one true love, and the melody conveys a sense of longing and devotion.
Line by Line Meaning
It had to be you, it had to be you.
You were the only one for me, and fate brought us together.
I wandered around and finally found the somebody who
I searched high and low until I found someone special.
Could make me be true, could make me feel blue,
You make me feel genuine emotions, both happy and sad.
And even be glad just to be sad thinkin' of you.
I can find joy even in my sadness because of my love for you.
Some others I've seen might never be mean
I've met people who are never malicious or cruel.
Might never be cross or try to be boss,
They may never get angry or try to control others.
But they wouldn't do.
But they can't compare to you and what you bring to my life.
For nobody else gave me a thrill.
No one else has ever made me feel the way you do.
With all your faults, I love you still,
I accept and cherish all your imperfections because I love you unconditionally.
It had to be you, wonderful you,
You are amazing, and I'm grateful to have you in my life.
It had to be you.
You are my destiny, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Isham Jones, Gus Kahn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Albert Wong
on The Women (Les Biches)
Where can I find the lyrics of "The Women"