I'm Still Here is more than just a showstopping
number in Stephen Sondheim's Follies.
It is a cultural roadmap of the American fads, media darlings,
politics, and excess of the last century.
Carlotta Campion has been through it all, and she has been
brought to life by such great ladies of the stage as Yvonne
De Carlo, Nancy Walker, Carol Burnett, Shirley MacLaine, and
Ann Miller. Told by a character who has "seen it all", and sung
by an Actress whose actual life adds reality and resonance,
if it has been cast well, this song strikes a chord with every
audience member.
Those who have "been there" a bit themselves can identify,
full of the knowledge that they, too, are "still here". Those
who are too young to have gone through the mill themselves can
still admire the guts and determination of someone who has,
and has lived to tell about it - to sing about it - with
electrifying passion. Unfortunately, as time marches on, there
are less and less people who understand the references in the
lyrics - it has become a bit of a trivia game to get them all.
Yet understanding them gives the listener added depth and
context that make it worth the hunt. So, to help out, I've assembled
a breakdown of the sometimes obscure references in I'm
Still Here:
Good times and bum times,
I’ve seen them all and, my dear,
I’m still here.
Plush velvet sometimes,
Sometimes just pretzels and beer,
But I’m here.
I’ve stuffed the Dailies in my shoes,
Dailies – Daily newspapers, to replace the soles in worn
out shoes.
Strummed Ukuleles,
"Ukuleles" - A Hawaiian instument which became a popular
fad on the mainland in the 1920’s.
Sung the Blues,
Seen all my dreams disappear,
But I’m here.
I’ve slept in shanties,
Guest of the W.P.A.,
"W.P.A." - Work Projects Administration (1935–43). U.S.
government agency during the New Deal. The WPA undertook extensive
building and improvement projects to provide work for the unemployed.
But I’m here.
...
I’ve been through Gandhi,
"Gandhi" - Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (a.k.a. Mahatma)
(1869-1948) Indian nationalist and spiritual Leader who developed
the practice of nonviolent disobedience that forced Great Britain
to grant independence to India in 1947. His philosophy was embraced
by civil rights activists in the U.S. during the 1960’s.
Windsor and Wally’s affair,
"Windsor and Wally’s affair" – a reference to an affair
between King Edward VII, reigning King of England in 1936, and
Wallis Warfield Simpson, an American divorcee. He abdicated
the throne in order to marry her in 1937, and was granted the
title of Duke of Windsor.
And I’m here.
Amos ‘n Andy,
"Amos ‘n Andy" - A popular show about the comic lives
of two hapless black men which began on the radio in 1929 (with
white actors), was made into a TV show in 1949 (with black actors),
and finally pulled off the air in 1965 due to protests about
the show’s stereotypical depiction of blacks.
Mahjongg and Platinum hair,
"Mahjongg" - A chinese tile game which became very popular
in the suburban US in the 1920’s.
And I’m here.
I got through "Abie’s Irish Rose
"Abie’s Irish Rose" - A play which opened in 1922 and
ran for a then unheard of 2,532 performances.
Five Dionne Babies,
"Five Dionne Babies" - The Dionne Quintuplets, a multiple
birth that made headlines in 1934.
Major Bowes,
"Major Bowes" - Produced and hosted a popular Amateur
Hour on radio.
Had Heebie-Jeebies
For Beebe’s Bathysphere
"Beebe’s Bathysphere" - William Beebe invented the Bathysphere,
a reinforced steel deep Water diving chamber which he took down
to record depths in 1934.
I got through Brenda Frazier,
"Brenda Frazier" - Popular debutante and spoiled rich
girl who regularly made the papers for a variety of romps which
illustrated how well some segments of society were living while
others starved.
(Alternative lyric:)
I've lived through Shirley Temple,
"Shirley Temple" - Child actress who attained monumental
fame and adoration during the depression. (This line was changed
as of the 1987 London revival of Follies, as a better
known reference- particularly to non-Americans).
And I'm here.
I’ve gotten through Herbert and J. Edgar Hoover,
"Herbert (Hoover)" - President of the US from 1928 to
1934. Blamed by many For the Depression. (No relation to J.
Edgar Hoover).
"J. Edgar Hoover" - Head of the FBI from 1921 until his
death in 1972. Known for fighting gangsters during Prohibition,
although the reference here is probably more for his anti-Communist
campaign after WWII, which led to unfortunate blacklisting,
the "red scare", and, to a certain extent, the US involvement
in the conflicts in Korea and Vietnam. Since his death, evidence
of cross dressing and possible homosexuality have made the reference
all the more ironic.
...
I’ve been through Reno,
"Reno" - Reno, Nevada. Known as a place to obtain a quick
and easy divorce.
I’ve been through Beverly Hills,
And I’m here.
Reefers and Vino,.
"Reefers" – Marijuana cigarettes
"Vino" - Wine
Rest cures, religion and pills,
But I’m here.
Been called a pinko
Commie tool,
"Pinko Commie tool" - Reference to the "red scare" of
the early 1950's. Senator Joseph McCarthy formed a "House UnAmerican
Activities Committee", and accused various Government officials,
entertainers, and detractors of being Communists out to destroy
the US. He was discredited and censured by congress in 1954
after destroying a number of lives and careers.
...
Black sable one day,
Next day it goes into hock,
"hock" - Sold to a pawnbroker for cash
But I’m here.
Top billing Monday,
"Top billing" - The first name listed in the credits
of a show. The Star.
Tuesday you’re touring in stock,
"stock" - Summer Stock, or more generally, theatre outside
of NYC.
But I’m here.
...
I’ve run the gamut,
A to Z.
Three cheers and dammit,
C’est La Vie.
"C’est La Vie" - French for "that’s life". Indicative
of a carefree lifestyle.
I got through all of last year,
And I’m here.
Lord knows, at least I’ve been there,
And I’m here!
Look who’s here!
I’m still here!
I'm
Still Here
© 1971 Rilting Music
All rights administered by WB Music Corp.
All Rights Reserved.