The group took off after being signed to Capitol Records in 1952 at the insistence of high profile fan, Stan Kenton. They remained popular throughout the 50s and early 60s, releasing a wide array of successful albums, movie and television appearances and performing countless sold-out concerts. The band eventually lost mainstream attention with the emergence of the British pop bands of the 1960s, even though they managed to stay together even after the retirement of final original member Bob Flanigan in 1992.
As of 2001, the Freshmen have been composed of Bob Ferreira, Brian Eichenberger, Curtis Calderon, and Vince Johnson. Although the new lineup of the Four Freshmen have continued the legendary vocal tradition of the original band and perform many of the same standards, the current sound has more of a lounge sound rather than focusing primarily upon harmonies. This modernized sound has proven quite successful, as the group won Down Beat magazine's reader's poll award for Vocal Group of the Year in 2000, proving the quartet's prominence in the jazz world today.
It Had To Be You
The Four Freshmen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why must I just give you your way?
Why do I sigh?
Why do I try to forget?
It must have been that something lovers call "Fate"
Kept on saying I had to wait
I saw them all
It had to be you, it had to be you
I wandered around and finally found the somebody who
Could make me be true, could make me be blue
And even be glad just to be sad thinkin' of you
Some others I've seen might never be mean
Might never be cross or try to be boss, but they wouldn't do
For nobody else gave me a thrill
With all your faults, I love you still
It had to be you, wonderful you, it had to be you
The lyrics to The Four Freshmen's song "It Had to be You" express the singer's confusion and surrender to their feelings towards someone they love. The first verse contains a series of rhetorical questions posed by the singer. They question why they constantly give in to their loved one's desires even when it goes against their own inclinations. They ask why they try to forget their loved one and why they constantly sigh. The ambiguity in these questions can lead to different interpretations, but it is clear that the singer is struggling with their own feelings towards their loved one.
The second verse delves into the reasoning behind the singer's current emotional state. They attribute it to the concept of fate, which they feel has led them to patiently wait for their perfect match. The verse ends with the singer claiming they have seen others before their loved one, but they could not fall for them. The chorus of the song follows the singer as they declare that it had to be their loved one. No one else could make the singer feel blue, but also make them happy to be sad just thinking about them. The singer lists some of the qualities that set apart their loved one from others. They specifically mention that no one else can give them the thrill that their loved one does. In the end, the singer expresses their unconditional love for their loved one, even with their faults.
Overall, the lyrics to "It Had to Be You" are a candid expression of love from the singer's perspective. The song speaks to the idea that the connection between two people can seem almost fated.
Line by Line Meaning
Why do I do just as you say?
Why do I always follow your instructions without any questioning or argument?
Why must I just give you your way?
Why am I obliged to let you have things and situations as per your choice?
Why do I sigh?
Why do I get lost in deep, heavy breaths that express sadness, tiredness, or emotional distress?
Why do I try to forget?
Why do I attempt to remove you from my thoughts and memory?
It must have been that something lovers call "Fate"
It is a likely perception that what we call destiny, brought us together as lovers.
Kept on saying I had to wait
It was continuously telling me to have patience and wait for someone special.
I saw them all
I met several people in the past, but none of them struck me like you did.
Just couldn't fall till we met
I couldn't feel the deep connection, love, and affection until I met you.
It had to be you, it had to be you
There is no one else, it had to be you –someone special for me.
I wandered around and finally found the somebody who
I looked and searched everywhere until I finally found that someone- you.
Could make me be true, could make me be blue
You are the only person who can keep me honest and make me feel melancholic.
And even be glad just to be sad thinkin' of you
I can find happiness even in being sad, only if I am thinking about you.
Some others I've seen might never be mean
I have seen other people who might not be cruel or stingy.
Might never be cross or try to be boss, but they wouldn't do
They might never show anger or arrogance, but they still can't compare to you.
For nobody else gave me a thrill
No one else gave me the feeling of excitement like you did.
With all your faults, I love you still
Despite of all your shortcomings, weaknesses or imperfections; I still love you.
It had to be you, wonderful you, it had to be you
You are the only one for me, and it had to be you as you are wonderful in every way.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Isham Jones, Gus Kahn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind