Second Hand Rose
Fanny Brice
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Father has a business, strictly second-hand Everything from toothpicks to a baby grand Stuff in our apartment came from father's store Even clothes I'm wearing someone wore before It's no wonder that I feel abused I never get a thing that ain't been used I'm wearing second-hand hats Second-hand clothes That's why they call me Second-hand Rose Even our piano in the parlor Daddy bought for ten cents on the dollar Second-hand pearls I'm wearing second-hand curls I never get a single thing that's new Even Jake, the plumber, he's a man I adore He had the nerve to tell me he's been married before Everyone knows that I'm just Second-hand Rose From second Avenue From Second Avenue New?
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1 fan
Written by: Grant Clarke, James Hanley
Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
9 facts about this song
Release Details"Second Hand Rose" was one of Fanny Brice's signature songs. She popularized the track in the Ziegfeld Follies of 1921. However, the song itself was written by James F. Hanley and Grant Clarke.
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Song EssenceThe song tells the story of a woman who laments about her life, from her clothes to her man, has all been second-hand. This performance was branded by Brice’s unique comedic talent and melancholic undertones, making it a fan favorite.
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Popularity & Recognition"Second Hand Rose" became very popular and is still performed today by various artists, signifying its timeless appeal.
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Biographical InspirationBrice's personal life mirrored the song’s lyrics to some degree. She was known for shopping in thrift stores, and her second husband, Nicky Arnstein, was a convicted con man.
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Film & TheaterIn 1964, "Second Hand Rose" was performed by Barbra Streisand in the Broadway musical “Funny Girl,” a show based on the life of Fanny Brice. Streisand subsequently performed the song in the 1968 film adaptation of the musical.
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Chart PerformanceThe song made its round again when it was released as a single by Barbra Streisand in 1965. The song peaked at number 32 on the US Billboard Pop Singles chart and ranked number 2 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.
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Recordings & Cover VersionsBesides Fanny Brice and Barbra Streisand, a variety of artists have covered the song in many different styles, including Judy Garland, Kay Starr, Liza Minnelli, Shanie, Split Enz, and more.
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Cultural Impact"Second Hand Rose" is seen as a symbol of the early 20th-century American immigrant experience. The character's acceptance of secondhand goods and secondhand love is often interpreted as a metaphor for the immigrant experience of adapting to a new country and culture.
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Song LegacyToday, despite it being nearly a century old, the song is still recognized and appreciated for its humor, emotional depth, and timeless relatability.
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Citation
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"Second Hand Rose Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 25 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/31874303/Fanny+Brice/Second+Hand+Rose>.
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