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.
There'll Be Some Changes Made
Ruth Etting Lyrics
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But I've found out this will never do
When you grow old you don't last long
You're here today and then tomorrow you're gone
I loved a man for many years gone by
I thought his love for me would never die
He made some changes that would never do
For there's a change in the weather, there's a change in the sea
So from now on there'll be a change in me
My walk will be different, my talk and my name
Nothing about me is going to be the same
I'm going to change my way of living if that ain't enough
Then I'll change the way that I strut my stuff
'Cause nobody wants you when you're old and gray
There'll be some changes made
They say the old time things are the best
That may be very good for all the rest
But I'm going to let the old things be
'Cause they are certainly not suited for me
There was a time when I thought that way
That's why I'm all alone here today
Since every one of these days seeks something new
From now on I'm going to seek some new things too
For there's a change in the weather, there's a change in the sea
So from now on there'll be a change in me, why
My walk will be be different and my talk and my name
Nothing about me gonna be the same
I'm gonna change my way of living and that ain't no shock
Why, I'm thinking of changing the way I gotta set my clock
Because nobody wants you when you're old and gray
There's gonna be some changes made today
There'll be some changes made
The song "There'll Be Some Changes Made" by Ruth Etting can be interpreted as a commentary on the inevitability of change in life, especially as one grows older. The opening lines caution against holding onto the old ways just for the sake of tradition. Instead, the singer argues that change is necessary and that those who resist it are doomed to fade away quickly. The second verse speaks directly to the singer's own experience, having had a long-lasting relationship with a man that she believed would never waver. But as time goes on, she realizes that he too has changed, and that she must make changes in order to keep up with him. This is echoed in the chorus, which talks about how the singer will change her walk, her talk, and even her name in order to adapt to the changing world around her.
As the song progresses, the singer becomes more and more insistent about her need for change. She scoffs at the idea that old-fashioned ways are always the best, insisting that she needs to seek out new things in order to stay relevant. This is reflected in the chorus, which becomes more forceful each time it repeats. The idea that nobody wants you when you're old and grey is a harsh reality that the singer has clearly come to terms with, and she warns that there will be changes made in order to avoid that fate.
Line by Line Meaning
They say don't change the old for the new
People suggest that one should not change established, proven things for new, untested ones
But I've found out this will never do
However, I have learned that this mentality will not work in the long run
When you grow old you don't last long
As you age, your time on this earth becomes more limited and fleeting
You're here today and then tomorrow you're gone
Life can be unpredictable; one day you may be here, and the next you may be gone
I loved a man for many years gone by
I was once in love with a man for an extended period of time
I thought his love for me would never die
I believed that his love for me would last forever
He made some changes that would never do
However, he made some changes in our relationship that were unacceptable to me
From now on I'm going to make some changes too
Thus, I have decided that I will make some necessary changes as well
For there's a change in the weather, there's a change in the sea
The weather and the sea are two constantly changing natural phenomena
So from now on there'll be a change in me
Therefore, I too will undergo some changes, just as the weather and the sea do
My walk will be different, my talk and my name
I will alter my walk, my way of speaking, and potentially my name
Nothing about me is going to be the same
The changes I make will affect every aspect of my being, making me an entirely different person
I'm going to change my way of living if that ain't enough
If such superficial changes are not sufficient, then I will modify my entire lifestyle
Then I'll change the way that I strut my stuff
I will even change the way I present myself and my confidence
'Cause nobody wants you when you're old and gray
People typically do not seek out older and graying individuals for new relationships or opportunities
They say the old time things are the best
Common wisdom suggests that old-fashioned things are of superior quality
That may be very good for all the rest
While that may be true for others, it does not hold true for me
But I'm going to let the old things be
However, I have decided to leave the old things as they are
'Cause they are certainly not suited for me
Because old-fashioned ways do not fit my personality, lifestyle, or goals
There was a time when I thought that way
I used to believe in the old-fashioned ways and values, but not anymore
That's why I'm all alone here today
My adherence to outdated beliefs contributed to me being alone today
Since every one of these days seeks something new
As society progresses, people are always looking for innovative, novel ideas and experiences
From now on I'm going to seek some new things too
Thus, I have decided to explore and embrace new ideas and experiences as well
I'm gonna change my way of living and that ain't no shock
I am prepared to alter and transform my lifestyle, and that should not come as a surprise
Why, I'm thinking of changing the way I gotta set my clock
I am even considering changing the way I manage and allocate my time
There's gonna be some changes made today
Today, I will initiate and implement my plan for changes
There'll be some changes made
Overall, significant changes are imminent and necessary for me to lead a fulfilling life
Contributed by Liam I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.