Ethel Merman
Ethel Merman (born Ethel Agnes Zimmermann, January 16, 1908 – February 15, 1984) was an American actress and singer. Known for her distinctive, powerful voice, as well as her leading roles in musical theater, she has been called "the undisputed First Lady of the musical comedy stage." She performed on Broadway in Anything Goes, Annie Get Your Gun, Gypsy, and Hello, Dolly! She is also known for her film roles in Anything Goes (1936), Call Me Madam (1953), There's No Business Like Show Business (1954), and It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963). Among many accolades, she received the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in Call Me Madam, a Grammy Award for Gypsy, and a Drama Desk Award for Hello, Dolly! Merman introduced many Broadway standards, including "I Got Rhythm" from Girl Crazy, "Everything's Coming Up Roses", "Some People", and "Rose's Turn" from Gypsy, and the Cole Porter songs "It's De-Lovely" (from Red, Hot and Blue), "Friendship" (from Du Barry Was a Lady), and "I Get a Kick Out of You", "You're the Top", and "Anything Goes" (from Anything Goes). The Irving Berlin song "There's No Business Like Show Business", written for Annie Get Your Gun, became Merman's signature song. |
= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.
Recordings
| Company | Matrix No. | Size | First Recording Date | Title | Primary Performer | Description | Role | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victor | BS-73708 | 10-in. | 9/29/1932 | How deep is the ocean (How high is the sky) | Ethel Merman | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | vocalist | |
| Victor | BS-73709 | 10-in. | 9/29/1932 | I'll follow you | Ethel Merman | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | vocalist | |
| Victor | BS-73710 | 10-in. | 9/29/1932 | Satan's li'l lamb | Ethel Merman | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | vocalist | |
| Victor | BS-73711 | 10-in. | 9/29/1932 | I gotta right to sing the blues | Ethel Merman | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | vocalist | |
| Victor | BRC-Test-475 | 10-in. | 10/1/1931 | Life is just a bowl of cherries | Ethel Merman | Female vocal solo, with piano | vocalist | |
| Victor | BRC-Test-476 | 10-in. | 10/1/1931 | Ladies and gentlemen, that's love | Ethel Merman | Female vocal solo, with piano | vocalist | |
| Brunswick | TCL1444 | 10-in. | 2/2/1931 | Boy, what love has done to me! | Ethel Merman | Female vocal solo | vocalist | |
| Brunswick | TCL1445 | 10-in. | 2/2/1931 | I got rhythm | Ethel Merman | Female vocal solo | vocalist | |
| Decca | 68425 | 10-in. | 12/2/1940 | My mother would love you | Ethel Merman | vocalist | ||
| Decca | 68426 | 10-in. | 12/2/1940 | I've still got my health | Ethel Merman | vocalist | ||
| Decca | 68427 | 10-in. | 12/2/1940 | Let's be buddies-1 | Joan Carroll ; Ethel Merman | vocalist | ||
| Decca | 68428 | 10-in. | 12/2/1940 | Make it another old-fashioned, please | Ethel Merman | vocalist | ||
| Decca | 73592 | 5/26/1946 | I'm so lonesome I could cry | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 73593 | 5/26/1946 | I got lost in his arms | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 73594 | 5/26/1946 | I got the sun in the morning | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 73597 | 5/26/1946 | Doin' what comes natur'lly | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 73599 | 5/26/1946 | They say it's wonderful | Ethel Merman ; Ray Middleton | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 73600 | 5/28/1946 | Moonshine lullaby-1 | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 73603 | 5/28/1946 | Anything you can do | Ethel Merman ; Ray Middleton | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 74188 | 12/1/1947 | Eadie was a lady, part 1-1 | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 74189 | 12/1/1947 | Eadie was a lady, part 2-1 | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 74190 | 12/1/1947 | Blow, Gabriel, blow-2 | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 74208 | 12/8/1947 | I get a kick out of you-1 | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 74209 | 12/8/1947 | You're the top-1 | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 74230 | 12/12/1947 | I got rhythm-1 | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 74231 | 12/12/1947 | Life is just a bowl of cherries-2 | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 74232 | 12/12/1947 | It's de-lovely-3 | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 75660 | 1/4/1950 | A little girl from Little Rock | Ray Bolger ; Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 75661 | 1/4/1950 | Diamonds are a girl's best friend | Ray Bolger ; Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 75662 | 1/4/1950 | Dearie | Ray Bolger ; Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 75663 | 1/4/1950 | I said my pajamas | Ray Bolger ; Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 75872 | 2/20/1950 | It's so nice to have a man around the house | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 75873 | 2/20/1950 | If I knew you were comin', I'd 've baked a cake | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 76252 | 5/2/1950 | Hawaii | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 76253 | 5/2/1950 | Ukulele lady | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 76273 | 5/3/1950 | She's shimmyin' on the beach | Frank Froeba ; Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 76361 | 5/17/1950 | Hawaii | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 76362 | 5/17/1950 | Ukulele lady | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 76389 | 5/19/1950 | The lake song | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 76390 | 5/19/1950 | Don't believe it | Ray Bolger ; Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 80041 | 10/17/1950 | The best thing for you | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 80042 | 10/17/1950 | Marrying for love | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 80043 | 10/17/1950 | Something to dance about | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 80044 | 10/17/1950 | You're just in love | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 80045 | 10/17/1950 | Once upon a time today | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 80079 | 10/24/1950 | It's a lovely day today ; You're just in love | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 80182 | 11/20/1950 | Washington Square dance | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 80183 | 11/20/1950 | The hostess with the Mostes' on the ball | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 80184 | 11/20/1950 | Can you use any money today? | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 80603 | 2/23/1951 | Once upon a nickel | Ray Bolger ; Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 80604 | 2/23/1951 | Oldies | Ray Bolger ; Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 81111 | 6/2/1951 | Love is the reason | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 81112 | 6/2/1951 | The world is your balloon | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 81113 | 6/2/1951 | Make the man love me | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 81782 | 10/26/1951 | You say the nicest things | Jimmy Durante ; Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 81783 | 10/26/1951 | A husband, a wife | Jimmy Durante ; Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 81784 | 10/26/1951 | If you catch a little cold | Jimmy Durante ; Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 84038 | 3/3/1953 | The hostess with the mostes' on the ball | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 84039 | 3/3/1953 | Can't you use any money today ; International rag | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 84042 | 3/3/1953 | You're just in love | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 84046 | 3/3/1953 | Best thing for you | Ethel Merman ; George Sanders | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 84047 | 3/3/1953 | Call me Madam-Finale | Ethel Merman ; George Sanders | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 85154 | 6/15/1953 | Ford 50th anniversary television show | Mary Martin ; Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 87097 | 11/29/1954 | (There's no business like) Show business | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 87100 | 11/29/1954 | If you believe | Ethel Merman ; Johnnie Ray | vocalist | |||
| Decca | 87105 | 11/29/1954 | Heat wave | Mitzi Gaynor ; Dolores Gray ; Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | L 8416 | 5/18/1955 | Medley: Way down yonder in New Orleans ; Somebody stole my gal ; Smiles ; Row, row, row ; I want a girl (just like the girl that married dear old Dad) Sweet Georgia Brown | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | L 8417 | 5/18/1955 | Medley: You tell me your dreams, I'll tell you mine ; School days ; Memories | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | L 8425 | 5/20/1955 | Overture ; Ta-ra-ra-boom-der-e ; The band played on ; The Bowery ; On a Saturday night ; While strolling thru ; the park one day ; Hello my baby ; I've got rings in my fingers ; In my merry Oldsmobile ; In the good old Summertime ; Sweet Rosie O'Grady ; Little Annie Rooney ; Waltz me around again Wil | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | L 8426 | 5/20/1955 | Oh Johnny, oh Johnny, oh ; Dear little boy of mine ; 45 minutes from Broadway ; Mary's a grand old name ; Give my regards to Broadway | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | L 8435 | 5/24/1955 | Take back your gold | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | L 8436 | 5/24/1955 | That old gang of mine ; Sweet Adeline | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | L 8437 | 5/24/1955 | A bird in a gilded cage ; Frankie and Johnny | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | L 8446 | 5/25/1955 | Sidewalks of New York (East side, West side) ; On a bicycle built for two (Daisy, Daisy) ; She'll be comin' 'round the mountain ; Put on your old grey bonnet | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | L 8447 | 5/25/1955 | Put on your old grey bonnet ; M-i-s-s-i-s-s-i-p-p-i ; Listen to the mocking bird ; Moonlight bay ; By the light of the silvery moon ; Shine on, harvest moon | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | L 8483 | 6/16/1955 | Way down in the depths of the 90th floor (from Red hot and blue) | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | L 8484 | 5/16/1955 | Make it another old fashioned, please (from Panama Hattie) | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | L 8485 | 6/16/1955 | This is it (from Stars in your eyes) | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | L 8486 | 6/16/1955 | I'll pay the check (from Stars in your eyes) | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | L 8487 | 6/16/1955 | He's a right guy (from Something for the boys) | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | L 8488 | 6/16/1955 | How deep is the ocean (How high the sky) | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | L 8489 | 6/16/1955 | Do I love you? | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | L 8490 | 6/16/1955 | I got rhythm (from Girl Crazy) | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | L 8491 | 6/16/1955 | I got lost in his arms | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | L 8492 | 6/16/1955 | Anything goes (from Anything goes) | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | L 8493 | 6/16/1955 | Embraceable you (from Girl Crazy) | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | L 8494 | 6/16/1955 | Ridin' high (from Red hot and blue) | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | L 8495 | 6/16/1955 | Friendship (from Dubarry was a lady) | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | L 8496 | 6/16/1955 | You're an old smoothie (from Take a chance) | Ethel Merman | vocalist | |||
| Decca | L 8497 | 6/16/1955 | Alexander's ragtime band (from There's no business like show business) | Ethel Merman | vocalist |
Citation
Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Merman, Ethel," accessed May 12, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/103314.
Merman, Ethel. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved May 12, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/103314.
"Merman, Ethel." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 12 May 2024.
DAHR Persistent Identifier
Linked Open Data Sources
LCNAR: Merman, Ethel - http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n81120327
Wikidata: Ethel Merman - http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q129087
VIAF: http://viaf.org/viaf/22329860
MusicBrainz: Ethel Merman - https://musicbrainz.org/artist/a17eed36-fd8f-4d71-898b-2da805ac7492
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