Doris Day – Que Sera Sera

About The Song

“Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)” isn’t just a sunny melody whistling through 1950s Americana. It’s a tapestry woven from Hitchcockian suspense, maternal wisdom, and the bittersweet surrender to an uncertain future. Its journey from script to cultural icon is as captivating as the melody itself.

Born in the mind of Hollywood legend Alfred Hitchcock, the song found its voice through the songwriting duo Ray Evans and Jay Livingston. Initially titled “Whatever Will Be,” it was meant to be a lullaby in his 1956 thriller “The Man Who Knew Too Much.” But it wasn’t just calming a baby; it was a secret message sung by Doris Day’s character to her kidnapped son, a beacon of hope amidst the shadows of international intrigue.

The song’s simple Spanish title, “Que Sera, Sera,” added a layer of exotic charm, while Day’s breathy, optimistic vocals imbued it with a disarming vulnerability. As she asks life’s big questions – “Will I be pretty, will I be rich?” – her answer in the lilting chorus, “Que Sera, Sera,” becomes a mantra of acceptance.

The song transcended the silver screen, topping charts and becoming synonymous with Day’s wholesome persona. Yet, its undercurrent of resilience in the face of the unknown resonated with audiences beyond Doris Day’s sunny smile. Whether facing personal anxieties or global uncertainties, “Que Sera, Sera” became a gentle reminder to let go, trust the journey, and find solace in the present moment.

So, the next time you hum this seemingly lighthearted tune, remember its complex origins. “Que Sera, Sera” is a whisper of acceptance, a lullaby for an uncertain world, and a testament to the enduring power of music to bridge the gap between fear and hope.

Video

Lyrics

When I was just a little girl
I asked my mother, “What will I be?
Will I be pretty? Will I be rich?”
Here’s what she said to me

Que sera, sera
Whatever will be, will be
The future’s not ours to see
Que sera, sera
What will be, will be

Since I am just a boy at school
I asked my teacher, “What should I try?
Should I paint pictures? Should I sing songs?”
This was her wise reply

Que sera, sera
Whatever will be, will be
The future’s not ours to see
Que sera, sera
What will be, will be

When I grew up and fell in love
I asked my lover, “What lies ahead?
Will we have rainbows day after day?”
Guess what my lover said

Que sera, sera
Whatever will be, will be
The future’s not ours to see
Que sera, sera
What will be, will be

Now I have children of my own
They ask their mother, “What will I be?
Will I be pretty? Will I be rich?”
I tell them, “Wait and see.”

Que sera, sera
Whatever will be, will be
The future’s not ours to see
Que sera, sera
What will be, will be
Que sera, sera