Influenced as a child by singers she heard on radio and records, Martell de… Read Full Bio ↴Influenced as a child by singers she heard on radio and records, Martell decided upon a career in music. She has been quoted as saying that these singers included Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James, Sarah Vaughan and Nancy Wilson. Later, however, as her musical studies progressed, she began working in a contemporary pop mode, absorbing the styles of Anita Baker, Patti LaBelle, James Taylor and others. During the 90s she lived and worked in New York City, playing nightclubs and other venues. She also enjoyed a successful visit to Denmark, appearing at the Copenhagen Blues Festival in 2002.

Concurrent with Martell’s development as a singer has been her work as a songwriter. Just as her influences were eclectic, so too is her songwriting style. She has written for the theatre, radio, film and television. In addition to her albums she released a popular 2003 single, ‘Too Young For The Blues’, and ‘It’s Alright With Me’, a duet with Kevin Mahogany on his 2004 recording Big Band.

Something's Gotta Give
Veronica Martell Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

When an irresistible force such as you
Meets an old immovable object like me
You can bet just as sure as you live

Something's gotta give
Something's gotta give
Something's gotta give

When an irrepressible smile such as yours
Warms an old implacable heart such as mine
Don't say no because I insist

Somewhere, somehow
Someone's gotta be kissed

So, en garde, who knows what the fates might have in store
From their vast mysterious sky
I'll try hard ignorin' those lips that I adore
But how long can anyone try?

Fight, fight, fight, fight, fight it with all of our might
Chances are some heavenly star-spangled night
We'll find out just as sure as we live

Something's gotta give
Something's gotta give
Something's gotta give

Fight, fight, fight it with all of your might
Chances are that some heavenly star-spangled night
We'll find out just as sure as we live

Something's gotta give
Something's gotta give
Something's gotta give

Something's gotta give
Something's gotta give

Aw, let's tear it up

Overall Meaning

The song "Something's Gotta Give" by Veronica Martell explores the theme of irresistible attraction and the tension that arises when two people with different personalities and values come together. The lyrics describe the singer's feelings towards someone they are attracted to but who seems to be their opposite, an "old immovable object." They acknowledge that this kind of meeting cannot go unnoticed because "something's gotta give." The singer is drawn to this person's smile, despite the fact that they have a "cold implacable heart." They try to ignore their desires but find it impossible to resist.

The lyrics suggest that the singer is willing to fight for what they want but that they are also aware of the risks involved. They use fencing terminology ("en garde") to depict the situation as a battle between the two of them. However, the singer also acknowledges that the fates may have something else in store for them, and that they may find out the truth "some heavenly star-spangled night." The song ends on a positive note, with the singer calling for action ("let's tear it up") and suggesting that something has to change.

Overall, "Something's Gotta Give" is a song that explores the complexities of attraction and the tension that arises when two people with different values and personalities come together. It acknowledges the difficulty of resisting one's desires but also suggests that there may be hope for a positive outcome if both parties are willing to fight for what they want.

Line by Line Meaning

When an irresistible force such as you
When a person as charming and compelling as you show up

Meets an old immovable object like me
Encounters a person as stubborn and resistant as myself

You can bet just as sure as you live
It's inevitable that something will change

Something's gotta give
Change is needed

When an irrepressible smile such as yours
When a smile that can't be resisted like yours

Warms an old implacable heart such as mine
Touches a heart that is usually difficult to soften

Don't say no because I insist
Don't refuse me, I am determined

Somewhere, somehow
At some point, in some way

Someone's gotta be kissed
We will kiss each other

So, en garde, who knows what the fates might have in store
So, let's be ready and see what destiny presents to us

From their vast mysterious sky
From the mysterious sky of fate