How Deep is the Ocean

Ethel Merman

About How Deep is the Ocean

"How Deep Is the Ocean " is a popular song written by Irving Berlin in 1932. The song was developed from an earlier Berlin song "To My Mammy" which was sung by Al Jolson in his film Mammy (1930). In the earlier song, the lyrics include the questions "How deep is the ocean? / How high is the sky?" and this was the genesis of "How Deep Is the Ocean?". The song was written at a low point in Berlin's professional and personal life, and is among the select few of his numbers that were introduced on the radio rather than on stage or film. The song is a series of questions posed one after another, the only exception being the second line, "I'll tell you no lie." This song, together with "Say It Isn't So", were huge hits in 1932 and brought Berlin back to the top again. Popular versions of "How Deep Is the Ocean?" in 1932 were by Guy Lombardo (vocal by Carmen Lombardo), Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra (with vocals by Jack Fulton), Rudy Vallée and Ethel Merman. Bing Crosby was another who recorded the song for Brunswick on October 14, 1932. In the 1940s Alfredo Antonini and his orchestra collaborated with Victoria Cordova and John Serry Sr. to record the song for Muzak. Dutch composer Pierre Courbois wrote a song based on the chords of "How Deep Is The Ocean" called "OPAQUE" and recorded it on CD. 


Year:
2009
3:28
71 
#1

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How much do I love you? 
I'll tell you no lie 
How deep is the ocean? 
How high is the sky? 
How many times in a day 
Do I think of you? 
How many roses are 
Sprinkled with dew? 

How far would I travel 
Just to be where you are? 
How far is the journey 
From here to a star? 
And if I ever lost you 
How much would I cry? 
How deep is the ocean? 
How high is the sky?

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Ethel Merman

Ethel Merman (January 16, 1908 – February 15, 1984) was an American actress and singer. Known primarily for her powerful voice and roles in musical theatre, she has been called "the undisputed First Lady of the musical comedy stage." Among the many standards introduced by Merman in Broadway musicals are "I Got Rhythm", "Everything's Coming Up Roses", "Some People", "Rose's Turn", "I Get a Kick Out of You", "It's De-Lovely", "Friendship", "You're the Top", "Anything Goes", and "There's No Business Like Show Business", which later became her theme song. more »

4 fans

Written by: IRVING BERLIN

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Songwriter
"How Deep Is The Ocean" was written by the prolific composer Irving Berlin. Berlin wrote scores for a string of successful Broadway shows and Hollywood films and is also known for composing other standards like "White Christmas" and "God Bless America".
Date of Publication
It was first published in 1932, and is one of the most recorded songs of its era.
Original Performer
Originally performed by Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra, it has become a standard, recorded by many artists over the years.
Bing Crosby Version
Bing Crosby, one of the best-selling recording artists of the 20th century, recorded this song on November 14, 1932.
Ethel Merman Version
Legendary Broadway star Ethel Merman also recorded the song in the 1930s. Her version proved popular and further boosted the song's fame.
Lyrics
The lyrics of "How Deep is the Ocean" are a series of escalating promises from a lover, asking their beloved to quantify their love by using analogies from the physical world.
Popular Performances
The song has been performed by a variety of artists in various music genres, including pop, jazz, and country. Some notable artists who have covered it include Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Barbra Streisand.
In Movies
"How Deep Is The Ocean" has appeared in a number of films, most notably "Blue Skies" (1946), where it was sung by Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. It's also featured in "The Big Pond" (1930), "Artists & Models" (1937), and "The Big Store" (1941).
Awards and Recognition
The song is a member of the Grammy Hall of Fame and has been recognized as a significant contribution to the recording industry.
Composition
The song is known for its ascending and descending scalar patterns, giving it a memorable and catchy melody that's stood the test of time. This composition style has made it a favorite choice for improvisation among jazz musicians.
Critical Reception
The song was well received by critics and continues to be revered for its beautiful melody and poignant lyrics. It's frequently cited as one of Berlins' finest works.

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