As I understand the world, "it's not over until the fat lady sings." What is it that she sings?

April 4, 2007 1:30 PM

As I understand the world, "it's not over until the fat lady sings." What is it that she sings?

Please indulge my slightly offbeat sense of humor. Yes, it's another question about my now ex-fiancee. I'm in good spirits about the matter. Despite the fact that she left me, her definition of leaving is questionable at best. I'd like her to get the picture that I've moved on, but in a manner that she'd find humorous and meaningful. As such, I'm looking into hiring said "fat lady" to deliver a song via a singing telegram. Considering the potential for bad karma, I'm extremely unlikely to follow through with this event. I am much more likely to stage a little production for film as a personal celebration of my independence.

I need your help figuring out what the "fat lady" lady should sing. Are there traditional songs this phrase implies? Do you have any suggestions that would hit home with an indie hipster? Though I prefer non-RIAA, copyright free, royalty free, or public domain songs, go to town with any songs that come to mind. I'd prefer the overall tone to be humorous implying a healthy dose of "your loss," but am open to your input.

Unclench, it's in good fun.

posted by sequential to Human Relations (24 answers total)

The intention is that it's opera, a soloist who will have her big solo near the end of the opera. So you know the opera isn't over until the fat lady has sung. Interestingly enough, according to the Straight Dope, this saying is only about 30 years old, dating to when the Washington Bullets (now Wizards) made an improbable run at the NBA championship, and Dick Motta made the remark to his team about the game not being over, until.. you know. I had previously thought that it was a very old saying, I was very surprised.
posted by bluejayk at 1:34 PM on April 4, 2007

This phrase is probably an allusion to opera, and is often accompanied by some kind of Wagnerian aria in popular culture.
posted by demiurge at 1:36 PM on April 4, 2007

Iconcically, it's Brünnhilde's song at the end of act three of Götterdämmerung, the end of Wagner's Ring Cycle. That the (second) last scene of about 15 hours of Opera.
posted by bonehead at 1:36 PM on April 4, 2007 [3 favorites]

+1 demiurge, +1 bonehead. The phrase was coined by a San Antonio sports announcer in the 70s (80s?).
posted by adamrice at 1:42 PM on April 4, 2007

Wiki: It ain't over until the fat lady sings.


And yeah, sending a large woman to sing opera on your ex-fiancee's door may not be such a good idea. But if you do it, please video and share the results.
posted by RandlePatrickMcMurphy at 1:43 PM on April 4, 2007 [1 favorite]

Surely the fact that you're sending large fat ladies round to sing at her, indicates that you haven't moved on? Because moving on generally involves having nothing more to do with something...

Or am I missing something?
posted by Happy Dave at 1:46 PM on April 4, 2007 [3 favorites]

Response by poster: Happy Dave, you're missing information. Let's leave it at this: I don't want her to continue her current behavior. Simply asking her to stop has not worked. As I said, I'm simply unlikely to actually send anyone to her. I'd rather she just go away and not be encouraged by funny events. Then it struck me as something that would make fun video...
posted by sequential at 1:53 PM on April 4, 2007

before a million people tell you it's a bad idea, I believe the expression refers to opera, which is traditionally sung by larger ladies.

But an "indie hipster" might appreciate "Make War" by bright eyes. Great breakup song.
posted by drjimmy11 at 1:56 PM on April 4, 2007

I'm with the wiki link above - I always heard "Church ain't over till the fat lady sings". Probably some kind of hymn, but which one would vary.
posted by dilettante at 2:04 PM on April 4, 2007

There's always Happy Break Up Song by NoFX, if you want to get a little old school (and completely "haven't moved on at all") with it.
posted by mckenney at 2:17 PM on April 4, 2007

I can't imagine a fat lady singing it, but for clarity of message, it's hard to beat Song For The Dumped by Ben Folds Five.
posted by designbot at 2:19 PM on April 4, 2007

Uhh... but isn't this song supposed to be for finishing a relationship? 'Cuz Stop In The Name of Love is all about begging an ex to remember the good times and think it oh oh ver... think it ohh ohhh verrrrr...
posted by miss lynnster at 2:25 PM on April 4, 2007

Kind of a dumbass video, but the Dixie chicks song done acapella in the infamous college break up video would seem to fit your needs.

And fair 'nuff re: my earlier comment.
posted by Happy Dave at 2:39 PM on April 4, 2007

No, you want Screamin' Jay Hawkins' "I feel a whole lot better (since your gone)."
posted by adamrice at 2:47 PM on April 4, 2007

Send her this link: Mama Cass singing "Make Your Own Kind of Music"
posted by rob511 at 3:15 PM on April 4, 2007

Weird Al Yankovic - "One More Minute"
posted by cashman at 3:26 PM on April 4, 2007

The Magnetic Fields do quite a number of hilarious break up songs, they're indie/hipsterish, and they often sing their songs in a dramatic, operaesque fashion. Check out Meaningless, I Don't Believe You, Epitaph for my Heart.

Baby Bitch, by Ween would be hilarious if sung dramatically and seriously by a big fat lady.

Other good "I'm over you/The End" songs:
Don't Think Twice, It's All Right - Bob Dylan, or Mike Ness
Positively 4th Street - Dylan, again
Sucks to be you - Prozzak
Over and Done with - Proclaimers
I will survive - Gloria Gaynor (I personally think this song is SO overplayed as the "I'm over you song" that it would be HI-LARIOUS as a music video with a message!)
posted by iamkimiam at 4:19 PM on April 4, 2007

I can't believe no one's recommended "I Will Survive." ("I would've changed those stupid locks, I would've made you leave your key, if I'd thought for just one minute you'd be back to bother me.")
posted by salvia at 4:20 PM on April 4, 2007

ah yes, preview, that button next to post :)
posted by salvia at 5:29 PM on April 4, 2007

For some reason, I'm thinking that it should be a Smiths song, but I just can't put my finger on the right one.

If her birthday's coming up, then "Unhappy Birthday" would be a goodie.

There's gotta be another one, though... *thinks*
posted by UbuRoivas at 6:09 PM on April 4, 2007

Eureka!

What Difference Does it Make?
posted by UbuRoivas at 6:11 PM on April 4, 2007

Miserable Lie!!!!
posted by UbuRoivas at 6:12 PM on April 4, 2007

(maybe What Difference etc is better)
posted by UbuRoivas at 6:14 PM on April 4, 2007

...And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead - Mistakes and Regrets

"If I could make a list
of my mistakes and regrets
I'd put your name on top
And every line after it."
posted by TheOnlyCoolTim at 12:24 AM on April 5, 2007