Formed to play proms in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the group originally consisted of the three McMichael brothers: tenors Judd (1906-1989) and Joe (1916-1944), and baritone Ted (1908-2001). They were discovered by singer-bandleader Eddie Dunstedter. In 1930 the McMichaels, after performing as The Mystery Trio and The Personality Boys, added a female lead singer, Cheri McKay, and changed their name to The Merry Macs.
In 1936 they appeared on several national radio programs, and Cheri McKay was replaced by Helen Carroll. (McKay trained her successor in the group's singing style.)
Vocal quartets had customarily harmonized like barbershop quartets. The Merry Macs revolutionized vocal harmony with closer harmonic chords. This style inspired other groups, like The Modernaires and Six Hits and a Miss. In 1938 The Merry Macs signed with Decca Records and recorded “Pop Goes the Weasel.” The Merry Macs (with Carroll) sang a swing version of "Down by the Old Mill Stream" in the 1939 Vitaphone musical Seeing Red, Red Skelton's first film.
In 1939 Mary Lou Cook (b. 1910) replaced Helen Carroll. This is the foursome that most listeners know from film appearances. The McMichael brothers and Cook appeared as a specialty act in Hollywood movies, including 1940's Love Thy Neighbor, and Universal Pictures gave The Merry Macs their own feature-film series in 1941. Their most famous film is Ride 'Em Cowboy (1942), an Abbott and Costello comedy in which The Merry Macs offer musical interludes. At the time, Mary Lou was married to actor Elisha Cook, Jr.; evidently there were problems because Mary Lou ended both her marriage and her affiliation with The Merry Macs at about the same time.
Marjory Garland (1923-1991) replaced Mary Lou Cook after Ride 'Em Cowboy was filmed. The Merry Macs continued to score on the hit parade; their rendition of "Mairzy Doats" was a best-seller. Garland, who later married Judd McMichael, remained with the group until the 1960s.
Youngest brother Joe McMichael served in the armed forces and was killed in 1944. He was replaced by Clive Erard, then Dick Baldwin, and finally Vern Rowe. The foursome of Judd, Ted, Marjory and Vern continued performing until they retired from show business in 1964.
I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles
The Merry Macs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pretty bubbles in the air
They fly so high, nearly reach the sky
Then like my dreams they fade and die
Fortune's always hiding
I've looked everywhere
I'm forever blowing bubbles
I'm f-f-forever b-b-blowing bubbles
Pretty bubbles in the air
They f-f-fly so high, nearly reach the sky
Then in my d-d-dreams they fade and d-d-die
Fortune's always hiding
I've looked everywhere
I'm f-f-forever b-b-blowing bubbles
Pretty bubbles in the air
I'm forever blowing bubbles
Pretty bubbles, no more troubles
Pretty bubbles in the air
The Merry Macs's song "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles" is a nostalgic tune about the fleeting nature of life's dreams and aspirations. The singer in the song likens blowing bubbles to manifesting dreams and casting them into the ether. The bubbles soar high into the sky and shimmer like hope, but eventually burst and fade away. The sentiment suggests that even though we strive and dream, things rarely turn out the way we expect.
The line, "Fortune's always hiding, I've looked everywhere," implies that the singer has searched high and low for luck or success, but hasn't found it. The lyrics capture a sense of longing and discontentment, a feeling that despite all the effort, the results are not what are desired. The repetition of "I'm forever blowing bubbles, Pretty bubbles in the air," throughout the song enforces the idea that the dreams and aspirations are constant and never-ending.
Overall, the song speaks to the universal experience of chasing elusive aspirations and the fleeting nature of our hopes and dreams. It is a reminder that life is full of ups and downs, and even though we try our best, things don't always turn out how we plan.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm forever blowing bubbles
I continually create fanciful thoughts and desires
Pretty bubbles in the air
These thoughts and desires are pleasant, beautiful, and floating in my mind
They fly so high, nearly reach the sky
These thoughts and desires are lofty and seemingly unattainable
Then like my dreams they fade and die
These unattainable thoughts and desires often slip away and never come to fruition
Fortune's always hiding
Opportunities for success and happiness are elusive
I've looked everywhere
I have searched exhaustively for these opportunities
Pretty bubbles, no more troubles
However, by continuing to visualize these pretty, positive bubbles, I can temporarily forget about my problems
Writer(s): John William Kellette, Jaan Kenbrovin
Contributed by Jasmine I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
NOPE
Can someone tell me on which part of which mission you can hear this song?
NOPE
Thats music
Matthew Baker
I have never heard a song that is so badly out of tune