McCorkle was born in Berkeley, California. She studied modern languages at the University of California, Berkeley. McCorkle began singing professionally after hearing recordings of Billie Holiday in Paris in the late 1960s. She nearly became an interpreter at the European Commission in Brussels, but moved instead to London in 1972 to pursue a career in singing. While in the UK, she made two albums which, although well received, enjoyed only limited circulation.
In the late 1970s, McCorkle returned to the United States and settled in New York City, where a five-month engagement at the Cookery in Greenwich Village brought her to wider public attention and elicited rave reviews from critics.
During the 1980s, McCorkle continued to record; her maturing style and the darkening timbre of her voice greatly enhanced her performances. In the early 1990s, two of the albums McCorkle made for Concord Records, No More Blues and Sábia, were enormously successful and made her name known to the wider world. She was recorded by the Smithsonian Institution which at the time made her the youngest singer ever to have been included in its popular music series. McCorkle played Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher and Alice Tully Halls five times and Carnegie Hall three times, and was featured soloist with Skitch Henderson and the 80-piece New York Pops in a concert of Brazilian music.
Thanks to her linguistic skills, McCorkle translated lyrics of Brazilian, French, and Italian songs, notably those for her Brazilian album Sabia. McCorkle also had several short stories published and, in 1991, began work on her first novel. She published fiction in Mademoiselle, Cosmopolitan Magazine, and non-fiction in the New York Times Magazine and in American Heritage, including lengthy articles on Ethel Waters, Bessie Smith, Irving Berlin and Mae West.
McCorkle suffered for many years from depression and cancer, and took her own life at age 55 by leaping off the balcony of her highrise Manhattan apartment. She was alone in her home at the time. The police immediately entered her home after identifying her body and found no foul play. Suicide was ruled the cause of death.
Taking A Chance On Love
Susannah McCorkle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All aglow again, takin' a chance on love.
Here I slide again, about to take that ride again.
Starry-eyed again, takin' a chance on love.
I thought that cards were a frame-up, I never would try.
Now I'm taking that game up and the ace of hearts is high.
Things are mending now, I see a rainbow blending now.
Here I slip again, about to take that trip again.
I got that grip again, takin' a chance on love.
Now I prove again that I can make life move again.
Um - I'm in the groove again, takin' a chance on love.
I walk around with a horse shoe, in clover I lie.
And brother rabbit of course you better kiss your, foot good-bye.
On that ball again I'm ridin' for a fall again.
I'm gonna give my all again takin' a chance on love.
The lyrics of "Taking A Chance On Love" by Susannah McCorkle reflect the bravery and excitement of someone who is willing to take a risk for the sake of love. As the trumpets blow, the singer realizes that they are once again filled with hope and excitement for something new. Despite the fear and uncertainty that often comes with taking a chance on love, the singer is willing to put themselves out there and try.
The lyrics use a variety of metaphors to describe the singer's experience. The use of the ace of hearts as a symbol of hope and success in the game of love is particularly powerful. The idea that things are "mending now" and that there is a "rainbow blending now" suggests that the singer is seeing the possibility of a brighter future. When the singer talks about being "in the groove again," they are describing the feeling of being in sync with someone else and the happiness that comes with sharing experiences together.
Overall, "Taking A Chance On Love" is an upbeat and optimistic song that encourages listeners to be brave and take risks in the name of love. It reminds us that even though things may not always go the way we hope, there is always a chance for a happy ending if we are willing to try.
Line by Line Meaning
Here I go again, I hear those trumpets blow again.
I am embarking on a new adventure and I am optimistic about it.
All aglow again, takin' a chance on love.
I am excited and energized to take a risk in love.
Here I slide again, about to take that ride again.
I am about to embark on a journey that may have ups and downs.
Starry-eyed again, takin' a chance on love.
I am hopeful and idealistic about this chance at love.
I thought that cards were a frame-up, I never would try.
I used to believe that love was rigged, but now I am willing to take a chance.
Now I'm taking that game up and the ace of hearts is high.
I am taking a risk in love and it feels like the reward could be great.
Things are mending now, I see a rainbow blending now.
My life is coming together and I see a bright future ahead.
We'll have a happy ending now, takin' a chance on love.
I am optimistic that this chance at love will lead to a happy ending.
Here I slip again, about to take that trip again.
I am about to embark on a journey that may have slippery moments.
I got that grip again, takin' a chance on love.
I am determined and have a good handle on this risk in love.
Now I prove again that I can make life move again.
I am confident that I can make meaningful progress in my life.
Um - I'm in the groove again, takin' a chance on love.
I am feeling great and confident in this chance at love.
I walk around with a horse shoe, in clover I lie.
I am currently experiencing good luck and good fortune.
And brother rabbit of course you better kiss your, foot good-bye.
Others who are not as lucky as me may need to say goodbye to their good fortune.
On that ball again I'm ridin' for a fall again.
I am taking a risk that may lead to a setback or failure.
I'm gonna give my all again takin' a chance on love.
I am willing to put forth my best effort in this chance at love.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Latouche, Ted Fetter, Vernon Duke
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind