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.
Lazy Day
Ruth Etting Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What a day to take a walk in the park
Ice cream, daydream
Till the sky becomes a blanket of stars
What a day for a picnic
Daisies and lots of red balloons
And what a day for holdin' hands
Lazy day, just right for lovin' away
Lazy day, made for a strollin' the lane
Baby, you and me
(You and me)
And a honey bee
'Neath a shady tree
Lazy day, lazy day
Lazy day for you and me
Blue sky, sunshine
Flowers bloomin', squirrels sayin' hello
Rowboats, bird notes
People smilin' everywhere that we go
What a day to be together
And what a sky of blue
And what a day for thinkin'
Right out loud, I love you
Lazy day, just right for lovin' away
Lazy day, made for a strollin' the lane
Baby, you and me
(You and me)
And a honey bee
'Neath a shady tree
Lazy day, lazy day
Lazy day for you and me
The song "Lazy Day" by Ruth Etting is a charming, romantic song that is about enjoying a beautiful summer day with a loved one. The lyrics paint a picture of a peaceful, relaxing day spent in the park, surrounded by nature and filled with simple pleasures. The song celebrates the joy of being completely present in the moment, enjoying each other's company, and savoring the small moments of life that bring us happiness.
The first verse describes the perfect day for a walk in the park, enjoying some ice cream and daydreaming under the blue sky until it turns into a blanket of stars. The second verse talks about the beauty of nature, including flowers, birds, and rowboats. The song continues to express gratitude for the opportunity to be together, to think out loud and to say how much you love the person you're with.
Overall, "Lazy Day" is a lovely song that captures the essence of summer romance and the importance of taking time to enjoy the simple pleasures of life with the people we love.
Line by Line Meaning
Blue sky, sunshine
The weather is wonderful and perfect for outdoor activities.
What a day to take a walk in the park
The day is perfect for enjoying nature and walking in the park.
Ice cream, daydream
Things to enjoy on a lazy day.
Till the sky becomes a blanket of stars
The day ends with a beautiful sky full of stars.
What a day for a picnic
The weather is perfect for enjoying a picnic outdoors.
Daisies and lots of red balloons
The scene is romantic and filled with joy.
And what a day for holdin' hands
The day is perfect for romantic gestures, like holding hands.
And bein' with you
The day is even better because of the presence of the beloved one.
Lazy day, just right for lovin' away
There is no need to rush, as the day is made for love and leisure.
Lazy day, made for a strollin' the lane
The atmosphere is calm, perfect for taking a walk and enjoying the surroundings.
Baby, you and me
The day is shared with the person the singer loves.
(You and me)
Reinforcing the idea that it's just the two of them.
And a honey bee
Even the bees are enjoying the nice weather.
'Neath a shady tree
The image is peaceful and relaxing.
Lazy day, lazy day
Emphasizing the theme of leisure and relaxation.
Lazy day for you and me
The day is meant to be enjoyed by both the singer and the person they love.
Flowers bloomin', squirrels sayin' hello
The day is filled with vibrant nature and friendly wildlife.
Rowboats, bird notes
Imagery of pleasant scenes on the lake, where rowboats are rowed and birds are singing.
People smilin' everywhere that we go
The atmosphere is friendly and joyful, with everyone enjoying the nice day.
What a day to be together
The day is perfect for spending time with loved ones.
And what a sky of blue
The beauty of the sky and surrounding nature is emphasized.
And what a day for thinkin'
There is time on this lazy day, even for introspection and thoughtful moments.
Right out loud, I love you
The singer speaks out loud their love, reflecting their happy mood.
Contributed by Hannah K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.