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.
The Way You Look Tonight
The Merry Macs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the world is cold
I will feel a glow just thinking of you
And the way you look tonight
Yes, you're lovely
With your smile so warm, and your cheek so soft
There is nothing for me but to love you
With each word your tenderness grows
Tearing my fear apart
And that smile that wrinkles your nose
Touches my foolish heart
Lovely, never, never change
Keep that breathless charm
Won't you please arrange it, 'cause I love you
Just the way you look tonight
Just the way you look tonight
The lyrics of The Way You Look Tonight by The Merry Macs articulate the timeless feeling of being in love with a partner that brings a sense of comfort and warmth to the core, even when they are not physically present. It conveys the idea that the thought of the person brings a sense of joy and a charming glow that can overcome the isolation and harshness of the world. The "way you look tonight" is symbolic of the beauty and greatness that the person brings into the singer's life.
The stanza "With each word your tenderness grows Tearing my fear apart And that smile that wrinkles your nose Touches my foolish heart" represents the intensity and depth of emotions that the singer experiences even in simple interactions with their partner. They feel vulnerable and protected at the same time, and the slightest gesture or facial expression from their partner can have a significant impact on their emotional state.
The song is a classic and has been performed by numerous artists, such as Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, and Michael Bublé. Many of the versions have minor lyrical variations, but the song's message has remained the same.
Line by Line Meaning
Someday, when I'm awfully low
At some point in the future, when I am feeling very down and miserable
And the world is cold
And everyone and everything around me seems unkind, unfeeling and unfriendly
I will feel a glow just thinking of you
I will experience a strong feeling of warmth and happiness simply by recollecting the memory of you
And the way you look tonight
And specifically how you are appearing to me at this very moment will make my day
Yes, you're lovely
Absolutely, you are charming and captivating in every way
With your smile so warm, and your cheek so soft
Your broad and welcoming smile, along with your smooth and gentle cheek are incredibly heartwarming
There is nothing for me but to love you
It is inevitable that I love you deeply and unconditionally
Just the way you look tonight
In this precise moment, I find you incredibly attractive, desirable and appealing
With each word your tenderness grows
With every sound that comes out of your mouth, your affection and love towards me grows stronger
Tearing my fear apart
Your affection is removing and dispelling every ounce of fear and apprehension that I have, and I feel liberated and unburdened
And that smile that wrinkles your nose
That smile that causes the skin on your nose to crinkle up adorably
Touches my foolish heart
Evokes a deep and profound emotional response in my heart, as I am forever beholden to your charms
Lovely, never, never change
Please don't ever change or alter yourself in any way, as you are already perfect in my eyes
Keep that breathless charm
Maintain that captivating and enticing allure that keeps me mesmerized
Won't you please arrange it, 'cause I love you
Could you please make sure that you always maintain this level of charm and attraction, as I love you very much
Just the way you look tonight
I find you incredibly alluring and fetching exactly in this moment, and I wouldn't want it any other way
Lyrics © O/B/O CAPASSO, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dorothy Fields, Jerome Kern
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
music girl
on Jingle, Jangle, Jingle
People bop their heads and hum along to these oldies, often not realising what the song's actually about.