“Patty Andrews, the lead singer of the Andrews sisters group was born in Mound, Minnesota on February 16, 1918 in a house that occupied the property where The Gillespie Center stands today.
During the 1920’s Laverne, Maxene and Patty Andrews spent their summers in Mound, living with their parents in a house across the street from the grocery store that was owned by Pete and Ed Sollie, bachelor uncles of the three girls. (Today, Green T Accounting occupies the Sollie grocery store building and The Gillespie Center is on the land where the Andrews Sisters’ house once stood.)” - From a commentary by Tom Rockvam that appeared in The Laker Newspaper during 2005.
They started their career as imitators of an earlier successful singing group, the Boswell Sisters. After singing with various dance bands and touring on Vaudeville, they first came to national attention with their recordings and radio broadcasts in 1937. Their music entertained Allied troops worldwide during World War II, sold war bonds, appeared in several films (including a few Abbott and Costello features), and performed for soldiers serving overseas. Their first film with Abbott and Costello, the pre-war comedy Buck Privates, introduced their best-known recording, "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" which would win Best Song at the Academy Awards.
They also recorded many songs with Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and other popular artists of the era. Their popularity was such that after the war they discovered that some of their records had actually been smuggled into Germany after the labels had been changed to read "Hitler's Marching Songs."
After a brief hiatus after the war, the sisters regrouped, performing in clubs throughout the United States and Europe. They broke up in 1953, with Patty's choice to go solo. Their last appearance together was in 1962 on The Dean Martin Show. Laverne, who had cancer, retired soon after; she died five years later, in 1967 at the age of 55.
After a long silence, the two surviving sisters had something of a comeback when Bette Midler recorded a cover of their song "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy." Maxene and Patty appeared both together and separately throughout the 1970s, with Maxene releasing a solo album in 1986. Their most notable comeback; however, was in the Sherman Brothers' nostalgic World War II musical: "Over Here!" which premiered on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre in 1974. The musical featured the two then living sisters (Maxene and Patty) and was written with them in mind for the leads. It launched the careers of many, now notable theater and film icons (John Travolta, Marilu Henner, Ann Reinking, et al). Ironically it was the last major hurrah of the sisters and was cut short due to a frivolous lawsuit initiated by Patty's husband to the show's producers.
Throughout their long career, the sisters had sold over 60 million records. The group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998.
The last of the three sisters Patty Andrews died of natural causes at her home in Northridge, California on January 30, 2013, just 17 days before her 95th birthday. The sisters were interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California, close to their parents.
I've Got No Strings
The Andrews Sisters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What put the "zing" in a butterfly's wing?
What's the reason for the smile of a troubadour?
Why does a breeze have a barrel of fun?
Even the bee who's a son-of-a-gun,
It's all because they're free
And stringless, the same as me
To make me fret
Or make me frown
I had strings but now I'm free
There are no strings on me
Hi-o the merri-o
I'm as happy as can be
I want the world to know
Nothing ever worries me
I've got no strings so I have fun
I'm not tied up to anyone
How I love my liberty
There are no strings on me
I've got no strings so I have fun
I'm not tied up to anyone
How I love my liberty
There are no strings on me
The Andrews Sisters' song "I've Got No Strings" is a joyful ode to freedom and independence. In the verses, the lyrics pose questions about why certain creatures and people are so happy, and the answer is revealed in the chorus: they have no strings to hold them down. This clever metaphor refers to the idea of being free from obligations, dependencies, and attachments that can weigh one down and restrict one's actions.
The first verse references various examples of creatures who appear carefree and happy because they are "stringless" - a gay little bird who sings, a butterfly whose wings "zing," a troubadour who smiles, and a breeze that has fun. The second verse shifts to the singer's own satisfaction with being free from strings, declaring that they have no strings to hold them down, make them fret, or make them frown. Instead, the singer revels in their freedom, having fun and not being tied down to anyone. The chorus repeats this joyful sentiment, declaring that the singer loves their liberty and has no strings to hold them back.
Overall, "I've Got No Strings" is a fun and upbeat song that celebrates the joy of being unencumbered and free. The metaphor of strings is a powerful one that can resonate with anyone who has ever felt weighed down by obligations or dependencies, and the Andrews Sisters' catchy tune makes it easy to sing and dance along.
Line by Line Meaning
Why does the gay little dicky bird sing?
What inspires the joyful song of a carefree bird?
What put the "zing" in a butterfly's wing?
What gives a fluttering butterfly its energetic grace?
What's the reason for the smile of a troubadour?
What brings a contented grin to the face of a wandering minstrel?
Why does a breeze have a barrel of fun?
What makes a playful wind frolic and dance?
Even the bee who's a son-of-a-gun,
Even the busy bee, known for its stinger,
It's all because they're free
Finds its exuberance in being unencumbered
And stringless, the same as me
Without strings, just like me
I've got no strings to hold me down
I am unburdened by any constraints
To make me fret
To cause me anxiety
Or make me frown
Or bring my spirits low
I had strings but now I'm free
I was once tied down but now I am liberated
There are no strings on me
I am freewheeling and independent
Hi-o the merri-o
Hurray for joy and carefree living
I'm as happy as can be
I am content and joyful beyond measure
I want the world to know
I wish for everyone to understand
Nothing ever worries me
I am unconcerned about any outside troubles
I've got no strings so I have fun
I revel in my freedom and enjoy myself without any restrictions
I'm not tied up to anyone
I am not obligated or attached to anyone else
How I love my liberty
I cherish and celebrate my independence
There are no strings on me
I am unfettered and unfazed
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: LEIGH HARLINE, NED WASHINGTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@1nightstorm
The sound quality here is outstanding and makes it hard to believe it's a radio broadcast from almost 70 years ago! Thank you for sharing this treasure.
@andrewc.2952
I adore the girls in these Chesterfield broadcasts. Sure wish I could've seen this!
@strwbrrymentos2225
i never realized that no strings on me was a swing song and not just a creepy song from a childhood movie :D
@1nightstorm
This is fast becoming my fav Andrews Sisters tune and I can't thank you enough for introducing me to it. I'm sure those solid older fans of the Sisters or Glenn Miller as well as younger people just learning about these awesome artists and their impact on music and the world will be pleased. For the Andrews Sisters, this collaboration came about roughly a year before Don Raye's "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy". The loss of Glenn Miller cannot be adequately expressed in words, it's so tragic.
@kobashis
Heck yeah ! Patty Andrews singing in front of the Glenn Miller Band !!!
@1nightstorm
Here' s some info on "I've Got No Strings" & the Chesterfield album I found online: -The Chesterfield Broadcasts, Vol. 1 -The Andrews Sisters -Recording Date: Dec 1939 - Mar 1940 -Label: RCA 1939 was Glenn Miller's breakthrough year, and at the end of it he earned his own network radio show, broadcast on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights at 10 p.m. over CBS. The Andrews Sisters stayed with the show only for the first 13 weeks.
@aldiakaroofus
I collect Andrews Sisters records and recordings and this is among my top 10 of their performances!
@XxTheAvengerXxX
I will never hear this song the same again 'cause of Ultron! :D
@aldiakaroofus
Fun and excellent!
@Gary_Jaffe
FANTASTIC