Davis, Jr. was born in Harlem, Manhattan, New York City, New York, to Elvera Sanchez, a dancer, and Sammy Davis, Sr., an African-American entertainer. The couple were both dancers in vaudeville. As an infant, he was raised by his paternal grandmother. When he was three years old, his parents split up. His father, not wanting to lose custody of his son, took him on tour. Sammy Davis Jr. claimed that his mother was Puerto Rican, however the 2003 biography In Black and White alleges that he made this claim due to the political sensitivities of the 1960s (during the Cuban Missile Crisis), and that his mother was born in New York of Cuban descent rather than in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
As a child he learned how to dance from his father, Sammy Davis, Sr., and his "uncle" Will Mastin, who led the dance troupe his father worked for. Davis joined the act as a young child in 1928 and they became the Will Mastin Trio. Throughout his long career, Davis included the Will Mastin Trio in his billing.
Mastin and his father had shielded him from racism. Snubs were explained as jealousy. But during World War II, Davis served in the United States Army, where he was first confronted by strong racial prejudice. As he said later, "Overnight the world looked different. It wasn't one color anymore. I could see the protection I'd gotten all my life from my father and Will. I appreciated their loving hope that I'd never need to know about prejudice and hate, but they were wrong. It was as if I'd walked through a swinging door for eighteen years, a door which they had always secretly held open.
Something's Gotta Give
Sammy Davis Jr. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Such as you
Meets an old immovable object like me
You can bet as sure as you live
Something's gotta give
Something's gotta give
Something's gotta give
Such as yours
Warms an old implacable heart
Such as mine
Don't say no
Because I insist
Somewhere, somehow, someone's gonna be kissed
So on guard
Who knows what the fates have in store
From their vast mysterious sky?
I'll try hard ignoring those lips I adore
But how long can anyone try?
Fight, fight, fight, fight
Fight it with all of our might
Chances are some heavenly star-spangled night
You'll find out
As sure as we live
Something's really got to give
The lyrics of Sammy Davis Jr.'s "Something's Gotta Give" perfectly captures the feeling of two opposing forces coming together. The opening lines describe the irresistible force and an old immovable object meeting. Davis Jr. sings about how sure as we live, "Something's gotta give." It's a poignant reflection on how when two forces are in opposition, something inevitably has to break.
As the song progresses, Davis Jr. reflects on how an irrepressible smile such as "yours" warms an old implacable heart like "mine." The lyrics are a reflection of the power of love and how it can thaw even the hardest of hearts. Davis Jr. acknowledges that fighting against this love may seem futile and that somewhere, somehow, someone's gonna be kissed. This line is emblematic of the singer's hopeful outlook on life, and despite any opposition, love will always win in the end.
The song culminates with Davis Jr. fighting with all his might against this love and ignoring the lips he adores. However, he concludes that "Something's really got to give," and it is only a matter of time before they both give in to their feelings. The lyrics beautifully capture the emotional struggle that comes with falling in love, and the inevitability of two forces coming together.
Line by Line Meaning
When an irresistible force
When a powerful and undeniable force
Such as you
Such as your captivating presence
Meets an old immovable object like me
Meets a stubborn and resolute person like myself
You can bet as sure as you live
You can be certain without a doubt
Something's gotta give
There has to be a resolution or compromise
When an irrepressible smile
When an irresistible and cheerful smile
Such as yours
Such as the one you wear
Warms an old implacable heart
Melts a cold and unyielding heart
Such as mine
My own unresponsive heart
Don't say no
Do not refuse
Because I insist
Because I am determined
Somewhere, somehow, someone's gonna be kissed
At some point, in some way, someone will be kissed
So on guard
So be cautious and mindful
Who knows what the fates have in store
The future is uncertain and unpredictable
From their vast mysterious sky?
From the unknown and expansive universe
I'll try hard ignoring those lips I adore
I will attempt to resist the lips I love
But how long can anyone try?
But how long can one resist their desires?
Fight, fight, fight, fight
Struggle and resist
Fight it with all of our might
Fight with all of our strength
Chances are some heavenly star-spangled night
Perhaps one beautiful and celestial night
You'll find out
You will discover
As sure as we live
Without a doubt, in this lifetime
Something's really got to give
There must be a resolution or change
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Johnny Mercer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jamesdean2103
When an irresistible force such as you
Meets an old immovable object like me
You can bet just as sure as you live
Something's gotta give
Something's gotta give
Something's gotta give
When an irrepressible smile such as yours
Warms an old implacable heart such as mine
Don't say no because I insist
Somewhere, somehow
Someone's gotta be kissed
So, en garde, who knows what the fates might have in store
From their vast mysterious sky
I'll try hard ignorin' those lips that I adore
But how long can anyone try?
Fight, fight, fight, fight, fight it with all of our might
Chances are some heavenly star-spangled night
We'll find out just as sure as we live
Something's gotta give
Something's gotta…
@jaceisham8501
People don't realize that this is the best version.
@DarthPlato
It is awesome, but try the Bing Crosby version.
@winstonsmith9533
Agreed
@onearmy942
Although this is excellent, I prefer the Sinatra version with Billy May arranging.
@onearmy942
@Zachary Schultz you're right, thanks..edit made👍
@T5._hf
agreed
@arthurjamesbouie
This guy was amazing, singer, dancer, musician and actor and even a Civil Rights activist !
@ClanWiE
And a hell of a comedian, too
@camerondunn9757
Sammy was the most talented performer ever he could anything
@johnking6550
This wonderful entertainer was head and shoulders above Sinatra....a real powerhouse of delivery and an innate master of phrasing....and man did he really nail this wonderful Johnny Mercer tune....Thats 's what you call talent!!