Ruth was born in David City, Nebraska. Her mother died when she was 5, and her father left her with her grandparents, George and Hannah Etting, who owned a roller mill. Her father remarried and moved away, seldom visiting his daughter. When she was 17 she moved to Chicago to attend art school, and got a job designing costumes at a night club. One night the tenor got sick and since she was the only one who could sing low enough, she took his place, and landed a job in the chorus. By 1918 she was one of the club's featured vocalists. It was there she met Moe "The Gimp" Snyder, a wanna-be gangster who took over management of Ruth's career and married her in 1922.
After her New York sucess, she moved to Los Angeles and had roles in a number of films including Roman Scandals with Eddie Cantor. There are conflicting stories about the scandal that virtually ended her career. The marriage between Ms. Etting and The Gimp was virtually loveless from the beginning, and he was a demanding and controlling manager who would not let other men near his wife. They were divorced in 1937. While in Los Angeles she began spending time with Myrl Alderman, a pianist who had played with her earlier in her career. In 1938, The Gimp forced his way into Ruth's house, and shot Alderman, wounding him. The subsequent trial put a halt to her career, although she did make some appearances in 1947. Ruth and Myrl married and retired to Colorado Springs, where she died in 1978. The academy award nominated movie version of her life story, Love me or Leave Me, with Jimmy Cagney and Doris Day, was apparently highly fictionalized.
I'm Falling in Love
Ruth Etting Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I'd be held under your thumb
I'm like a pawn in your hand
Moved and compelled, at your command
Whether it's for bad or for good
I would never change it if I could
Maybe I'm right, maybe I'm wrong
But nevertheless I'm in love with you
Maybe I'll win, maybe I'll lose
And maybe I'm in for crying the blues
But nevertheless I'm in love with you
Somehow, I know at a glance, the terrible chances I'm taking
Fine at the start, then left with a heart that is breaking
Maybe I'll live a life of regret
And maybe I'll give much more than I get
But nevertheless, I'm in love with you
Somehow, I know at a glance, the terrible chances I'm taking
Fine at the start, then left with a heart that is breaking
Maybe I'll live a life of regret
And maybe I'll give much more than I get
But nevertheless, I'm in love with you
In Ruth Etting's song "Nevertheless," the lyrics speak of the complexities of love and the feelings one may have towards their significant other. The song starts off by saying that the time had come where the singer would be held under their lover's thumb, feeling like a pawn in their hand, being moved and compelled at their command. Despite this, the singer wouldn't change a thing, even if it were for bad or for good. The lyrics then question whether the singer is right or wrong, weak or strong, but ultimately, it doesn't matter because the singer is still in love with their partner.
The chorus signifies the dilemma of the singer's emotions and their love, expressing that maybe they'll win or lose, crying the blues, but nevertheless, they are still in love with their partner. The verse follows with the singer stating that they know the terrible chances they're taking and how fine it may seem at the beginning, but ultimately, their heart will be left breaking. The verse's last lines explain that maybe the singer will live a life of regret and give more than they get, but nevertheless, they are still in love with their partner.
Overall, Ruth Etting's "Nevertheless" is a song that expresses the conflicting emotions that come with being in love. The lyrics showcase a sense of surrender to the emotions they feel towards their partner, even if it may cause heartbreak in the end.
Line by Line Meaning
I knew the time had to come
I always knew this moment would arrive
When I'd be held under your thumb
When I'd be completely under your control
I'm like a pawn in your hand
I feel like you move me around like a pawn in a game
Moved and compelled, at your command
I'm forced to do whatever you want me to
Whether it's for bad or for good
Whether it's right or wrong
I would never change it if I could
I wouldn't alter anything even if I had the power to do so
Maybe I'm right, maybe I'm wrong
Perhaps my decisions aren't always correct
Maybe I'm weak, maybe I'm strong
Perhaps I can be both vulnerable and resilient
But nevertheless I'm in love with you
Nonetheless, I'm still deeply in love with you
Maybe I'll win, maybe I'll lose
Perhaps I'll succeed or fail
And maybe I'm in for crying the blues
Perhaps I'll have reason to feel sad
But nevertheless I'm in love with you
Despite it all, I still love you
Somehow, I know at a glance, the terrible chances I'm taking
I'm aware of the risks that come with being with you
Fine at the start, then left with a heart that is breaking
Things may start off great, but I might end up miserable
Maybe I'll live a life of regret
Perhaps I'll always look back with sadness
And maybe I'll give much more than I get
Perhaps I'll end up giving more than I receive
But nevertheless, I'm in love with you
Regardless, I love you deeply
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bert Kalmar, Herman Ruby
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
1928jazz
Lovely! I've never heard this song by Ruth before but I like it on first listen!
Mike Thomas
Yes, it could well be Venuti and Lang in the accompaniment. Even when playing straight, they have a distinctive style, though of course there were many copyists at this time. A nice tune, and one I'd not heard before; I see Ruth wrote it herself.
Paul Harrison
New to me & so romantic! Love Ruth Etting.
Mark Fisher
Such a beautiful song 🎶 by lovely Ruth Etting 💐 I thank You very much 🌺
Mark
David
Thanks again a rare recording I expect.
Lucky Dave
I love Ruth Etting. I heard she was an influence on Ella Fitzgerald among other artists. I don't understand why the label describes her as a 'comedienne'. Did she do stand up ?
Andy LeMaitre
Perhaps because of her connection to musical comedy. They did the same with Elsie Carlisle.
antonio campagnefilho
bom dia andi lindas musicas infelismente esposa moreu fas 3 dias andy
Gavin Millar
Imagine people buying this new in summer 1931 and playing it in the countryside on a shiny portable gramophone. Fresh air, sunshine and good music. They must have had a great day!
Gavin Millar
@Andy LeMaitre I'm sure quite a few of us would like to have been there, we can dream on!