After learning dance under Maceo Anderson, Harper was cast by the choreographer Nick Castle in Christmas Follies, at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in 1945. She later went on to perform on stage with Herb Jeffries and Cab Calloway.
Harper recorded "Candy Store Blues" in 1946, which became a platinum record, appeared twice on Talk of the Town (later the Ed Sullivan Show) in 1949, and made her third and final appearance on the show in 1950.
After success as a child singer, Harper recorded her first album, Toni, for Verve Records in 1955, with the Oscar Peterson trio. She made two further albums in 1959 and 1960, Lady Lonely and Night Mood, for RCA Victor.
Harper toured Japan with Cannonball Adderley in 1963, and appeared in the 1965 film How to Stuff a Wild Bikini [4], before retiring from performing in 1966.
Discography:
1955 Toni (with Oscar Peterson)
1959 Lady Lonely
1960 Night Mood
Like Someone in Love
Toni Harper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hearing guitars like someone in love.
Sometimes the things I do astound me,
Mostly whenever you're around me.
Lately I seem to walk as though I had wings,
Bump into things like someone in love.
Each time I look at you,
I'm limp as a glove,
In "Like Someone In Love," Toni Harper creates a beautiful and evocative mood with the first two lines, as she describes out gazing at the stars and hearing guitars, giving the listener a sense of peace and calm. Harper then goes on to sing about being astounded by her own actions, specifically whenever her love interest is around. This shows the extent to which she is enchanted and captivated by this person, so much so that she's amazed at her own reactions. She even goes as far as to talk about walking as if she's got wings and bumping into things, which conveys the idea that her head is so far in the clouds that she's lost touch with reality.
The chorus talks about how every time she looks at her love interest, she feels weak and defenseless, almost like a glove. This highlights the vulnerability that comes with being deeply in love with someone. The song as a whole is a tribute to the feeling of falling in love, including the ups and downs that come with it. The imagery and metaphors used throughout the song are rich and vivid, drawing the listener into Harper's emotions and experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Lately, I find myself out gazing at stars
Recently, I have been spending my time looking at the stars in the sky.
Hearing guitars like someone in love.
The sound of a guitar makes me feel as though I am in love.
Sometimes the things I do astound me,
I am surprised by my own actions from time to time.
Mostly whenever you're around me.
This happens most often when you are near me.
Lately I seem to walk as though I had wings,
Recently I have been walking as if I have wings.
Bump into things like someone in love.
I have been bumping into things as if I am in a state of love.
Each time I look at you,
Every time I glance at you,
I'm limp as a glove,
I become weak and overwhelmed,
And feeling like someone in love.
As if I am experiencing the sensation of being in love.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: J. Burke, J. Van Heusen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind