Something's Gotta Give
Rosemary Clooney Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

When an irresistible force such as you
Meets an old immovable object like me
You can bet just as sure as you live

Something's gotta give
Something's gotta give
Something's gotta give
When an irrepressible smile such as yours
Warms an old implacable heart such as mine
Don't say no because I insist

Somewhere, somehow
Someone's gotta be kissed

So, en garde, who knows what the fates might have in store
From their vast mysterious sky
I'll try hard ignorin' those lips that I adore
But how long can anyone try?

Fight, fight, fight, fight, fight it with all of our might
Chances are some heavenly star-spangled night
We'll find out just as sure as we live

Something's gotta give
Something's gotta give
Something's gotta give

Fight, fight, fight it with all of your might
Chances are that some heavenly star-spangled night
We'll find out just as sure as we live

Something's gotta give
Something's gotta give
Something's gotta give

Something's gotta give
Something's gotta give





Aww, let's tear it up

Overall Meaning

In Rosemary Clooney's song "Something's Gotta Give," the lyrics describe a battle between two entities. On the one hand, there is an irresistible force, the singer of the song. On the other hand, there is an old, immovable object, the person they are addressing. The lyrics state that when these two incompatible forces meet, neither can win. Something has to give, and that something is likely to be the stubborn old object, as the irresistible force continues to press on.


The lyrics also describe a similar conflict between a smile and a heart. The singer insists that something has to give because someone has got to be kissed. Despite the odds, the singer believes that they have a chance to win over the heart of the person they are addressing. They try to ignore their feelings initially, but the song builds up to them accepting that something has to give, and they must fight with all their might to be with the object of their affection. They hope that someday, they'll find out just as sure as they live that something's gotta give.


The interpretation of the song is that when we care deeply about someone or something, it can feel like we're up against an immovable object. But if we preserver and fight for what we want, we might find that something's gotta give. The song is ultimately about taking that leap of faith and pursuing what we desire.


Line by Line Meaning

When an irresistible force such as you
When a person with an irresistible presence, like you,


Meets an old immovable object like me
Meets a person with an inflexible nature, like myself,


You can bet just as sure as you live
It's guaranteed that


Something's gotta give
Something has to change.


When an irrepressible smile such as yours
When a smile as unstoppable as yours


Warms an old implacable heart such as mine
Touches a heart as obstinate as mine,


Don't say no because I insist
Please don't refuse my advances; I urge you.


Somewhere, somehow
At some point in time and space


Someone's gotta be kissed
We have to kiss each other.


So, en garde, who knows what the fates might have in store
Prepare yourself -- no one knows what destiny has planned,


From their vast mysterious sky
From the vast, unknown cosmos


I'll try hard ignorin' those lips that I adore
I'll do my best to avoid being captivated by your lips, which I love,


But how long can anyone try?
But surely, I can't hold on forever.


Fight, fight, fight, fight, fight it with all of our might
We have to fight with all our strength


Chances are some heavenly star-spangled night
It's likely that one magical, starry night


We'll find out just as sure as we live
Our feelings will become apparent, without a doubt.


Something's gotta give
Something has to change.


Something's gotta give
Something has to change.


Fight, fight, fight it with all of your might
You have to fight with all your strength.


Chances are that some heavenly star-spangled night
It's possible that one magical, starry night


We'll find out just as sure as we live
Our feelings will become apparent, without a doubt.


Something's gotta give
Something has to change.


Something's gotta give
Something has to change.


Something's gotta give
Something has to change.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Johnny Mercer

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

Benoit Vanhees

Very good Clooney LP, something completely different as the rubbish like "Come in a my house", "Sailor boys..." or "Red garters". It took her some time, but with LP's like this, George's Auntie's career finally became interesting.... Thanks for posting it, the score is now one thumb down and one thumb up...

Judi Corvette

Best girl singer

More Versions