Ruth Etting (November 23, 1897 – September 24, 1978) was an American singin… Read Full Bio ↴Ruth Etting (November 23, 1897 – September 24, 1978) was an American singing star and actress of the 1920s and 1930s, who had over sixty hit recordings and worked in stage, radio, and film. She was known as America's Radio Sweetheart, and was the top female vocalist in America for several years, often singing in the 'torch' song style. In 1925, Ruth Etting was discovered by a Columbia record executive in Chicago and was signed to a nation-wide deal. In 1927 she was recommended by Irving Berlin to Florenz Ziegfeld for a spot in his Follies. She was an instant success in New York, and the top vocalist in the country for a number of years.

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.

Life Is a Song
Ruth Etting Lyrics

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Life is a song, let's sing it together
Let's take our hearts and dip them in rhyme
Let's learn the words, let's learn the music together
hoping the song lasts for a long, long time
Life is a song that goes on forever
Love's old refrain can never go wrong
Let's strike the note Mendelssohn wrote concerning spring weather
Let's sing together and make life a song

Don't be afraid of the future
All of our plans will come through
How can they fail with love on our side
They'll never fail, we won't be denied
All the world's a symphony, for you, for me

Life is a song, let's sing it together
Let's take our hearts and dip them in rhyme
Let's learn the words, let's learn the music together
hoping the song lasts for a long, long time
Life is a song that goes on forever
Love's old refrain can never go wrong

Let's strike the note Mendelssohn wrote concerning spring weather
Let's sing it together and make life a song

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Ruth Etting's song "Life Is a Song" convey a message of unity, optimism, and the power of love. The song encourages people to come together and embrace life's challenges and joys through music.

The opening lines, "Life is a song, let's sing it together," emphasize the importance of a collective experience. It suggests that life is like a song, meant to be enjoyed and celebrated with others. By "taking our hearts and dipping them in rhyme," the lyrics suggest that immersing ourselves in the rhythm and melody of life can bring us closer to one another.

The lyrics further emphasize the idea of togetherness by urging listeners to learn the words and music together. This implies that by understanding and appreciating each other's perspectives, we can harmonize and create a more meaningful life experience. The lyrics express hope that the song will last for a long time, indicating a desire for lasting joy and fulfillment.

The second verse addresses any fears about the future, assuring listeners that their plans will come true with love on their side. It reinforces the belief that love is a powerful force that can overcome any obstacles. The lyrics suggest that by embracing love, we can shape our own destiny and find success.

The song concludes with the notion that the world itself is a symphony, waiting to be explored and enjoyed. It encourages people to seize the opportunity to sing the melody of life together and make every moment a song.

Overall, "Life Is a Song" encourages listeners to embrace life's ups and downs, lean on the power of love, and find joy and purpose through music and unity.

Line by Line Meaning

Life is a song, let's sing it together
Life is a beautiful melody, so let's join our voices and embrace it

Let's take our hearts and dip them in rhyme
Let's fill our hearts with love and harmony

Let's learn the words, let's learn the music together
Let's explore and understand the joys and challenges of life together

hoping the song lasts for a long, long time
Wishing that our shared happiness and harmony endure indefinitely

Life is a song that goes on forever
Life's euphony never truly ends or loses its enchantment

Love's old refrain can never go wrong
The familiar tune of love will always bring us happiness and fulfillment

Let's strike the note Mendelssohn wrote concerning spring weather
Let's find the perfect harmony and contentment, just like Mendelssohn portrayed in his music about spring

Let's sing together and make life a song
By embracing unity and joy, we can turn life into a melodious and harmonious composition

Don't be afraid of the future
Do not fear what lies ahead

All of our plans will come through
All our aspirations and goals will be realized

How can they fail with love on our side
With love as our companion, our endeavors will never falter

They'll never fail, we won't be denied
We shall always succeed and never be deprived of our dreams

All the world's a symphony, for you, for me
The entire world is a harmonious orchestra, where both of us have an important role to play

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Bluewater Music Corp.
Written by: Fred Ahlert, Joe Young

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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