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.
Laughing at Life
Ruth Etting Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Laugh in such a happy style
That the world will stop and smile with you.
Why not grin
Even when the others win?
Smile and take it on the chin when blue.
Don't mind the raindrops.
Say, you'll find the sun
Laughing at life.
No road is lonely
If you will only
Smile through the tears
Laughing at life.
Live for tomorrow
Be happy today.
Laugh all your sorrows away!
Start now and cheer up.
The skies will clear up.
You'll lose all your blues
Laughing at life.
Don't mind the raindrops.
Wait till the rain stops.
Say, you'll find the sun
Laughing at life.
No road is lonely
If you will only
Smile, smile through your tears
Laughing at life.
I just live, live for tomorrow.
Be happy today.
Laugh, laugh all your sorrows away!
Cheer up, cheer up, cheer up,
The skies will clear up, clear up, clear up.
Say you'll lose all your blues
Laughing at life.
The song "Laughing at Life" by Ruth Etting encourages the listener to adopt a positive outlook towards life. The very first verse conveys the message that if we smile and laugh with a happy heart, the world around us will mimic our mood and brighten up. The song suggests that when life gets tough and other people win while we lose, rather than sulking or being jealous, we should put on a brave face and carry on. The song advises us to be patient during hard times and wait for the rain to pass so we can bask in the sunlight. It reassures us that although life may have its ups and downs, a smile and a positive attitude will help us navigate through the storm.
Furthermore, the song acknowledges that life is not always easy, and we often face obstacles that may make us feel lonely and down. But it reminds us that even during our darkest moments, we can smile through our tears and find joy in life's simple pleasures. The song's lyrics encourage us to focus on the present and live each day as if it is our last, without worrying about the future. It reminds us that life is short, and we should make the most out of every moment and laugh away our sorrows.
Overall, "Laughing at Life" by Ruth Etting is a timeless classic that encourages us to maintain a positive attitude, even during trying times. The song suggests that life is too short to be unhappy, and we should embrace every moment and find joy in the little things that make life beautiful.
Line by Line Meaning
Smile a while,
Put on a smile on your face and reflect it in your poise, because it's infectious.
Laugh in such a happy style
Express joy in your laughter because laughter is the best therapy.
That the world will stop and smile with you.
Your positive mood can influence the people around you, and make them happy.
Why not grin
Why not put a smile on, for we have no reason to be morose.
Even when the others win?
Even if it appears as if the others are ahead of you, don't let that dampen your spirit.
Smile and take it on the chin when blue.
When you're feeling down, smile instead, and take it as a challenge.
Don't mind the raindrops.
Don't worry too much about the troubles that come your way.
Wait till the rain stops.
Be patient in the face of adversity.
Say, you'll find the sun
Believe that things will get better, and the sun will surely shine again.
Laughing at life.
Find joy in the various challenges and struggles that life puts you through.
No road is lonely
You're never alone, as long as you remember to smile.
If you will only
If you choose to put on a brave and positive face.
Smile through the tears
Even in the face of sorrow, put on a smile and show optimism.
Live for tomorrow
Think about the future with hope and positivity.
Be happy today.
Find happiness and joy in the present moment.
Laugh all your sorrows away!
Don't let your sorrows weigh you down, and release them with laughter.
Start now and cheer up.
Make a conscious effort to change your demeanor and be more upbeat.
The skies will clear up.
Things will improve with time, and the future is bright.
You'll lose all your blues
The sadness and despair that once plagued you will disappear.
Say you'll lose all your blues
State confidently that the problems you face now will not last forever.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BOB TODD, CHARLES CORNELL, CHARLES F KENNY, NICK A KENNY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Wes Wolever
Why can’t this style of music come back