The song playfully uses the irresistible force paradox – which asks what happens when an irresistible force meets an immovable object – as a metaphor for a relationship between a vivacious woman and an older, world-weary man. The man, it is implied, will give in to temptation and kiss the woman. The song's lyrics echo the plot of Daddy Long Legs, in which a reserved man in his 50s (Astaire) falls in love with a woman in her early 20s (Leslie Caron).
Likewise, in 1955, Sammy Davis Jr. had a popular competing version, which also made the Top 10 on the Billboard pop chart, peaking at #9.[2]
Mel Tormé released a version on his Sings Fred Astaire album, in 1956.
Bing Crosby recorded the song in 1955[3] for use on his radio show and it was subsequently included in the box set The Bing Crosby CBS Radio Recordings (1954-56) issued by Mosaic Records (catalog MD7-245) in 2009.[4]
a French version, Ça Va Éclater, was recorded by early 1950 duo from Reims, Les Soeurs Etienne. Sisters, Louise died in 2016 (aged 92) and Odette in 2012 (aged 85)
Joanne Woodward sings "Something's Gotta Give" during a balloon striptease in the film, The Stripper (minute 1:22:20).[5]
In the game Fallout: New Vegas, Dean Domino from the Dead Money add-on sings this song, although it is a reused version of Bing Crosby's cover which can be heard in Radio New Vegas.