Back In Your Own Backyard

Al Jolson & Billy Rose & Dave Dreyer

The bird with feathers of blue
Is waiting for you
Back in your own backyard
You’ll see your castles in Spain
Through your window pane
Back in your own backyard

Oh you can go to the East
Go to the West
But someday you’ll come
Weary at heart
Back where you started from
You’ll find your happiness lies
Right under your eyes
Back in your own backyard

(bridge)

The bird with feathers of blue
Is waiting for you
Back in your own backyard
You’ll see your castles in Spain
Through your window pane
Back in your own backyard

Oh you can go to the East
Go to the West
But someday you’ll come
Weary at heart
Back where you started from
You’ll find your happiness lies
Right under your eyes
Back in your own backyard

The bird with feathers of blue
Is waiting for you
Back in your own backyard
You’ll see your castles in Spain
Through your window pane
Back in your own backyard

Oh you can go to the East
Go to the West
But someday you’ll come
Weary at heart
Back where you started from
You’ll find your happiness lies
Right under your eyes
Back in your own backyard

(bridge)

The bird with feathers of blue
Is waiting for you
Back in your own backyard
You’ll see your castles in Spain
Through your window pane
Back in your own backyard

Oh you can go to the East
Go to the West
But someday you’ll come
Weary at heart
Back where you started from
You’ll find your happiness lies
Right under your eyes
Back in your own backyard

But Not For Me (1930)

Lyrics by Ira Gershwin
Music by George Gershwin

They’re writing songs of love
But not for me
A lucky star’s above
But not for me
With love to lead the way
I’ve found more clouds of gray
Than any Russian play
Could guarantee
I was a fool to fall
And get that way
Heigh-ho! Alas! and all
So lack-a-day
Although I can’t dismiss
The memory of his kiss
I guess he’s not for me

(bridge)

He’s knocking on a door
But not for me
He’ll plan a two by four
But not for me
I know that love’s a game
I’m puzzled just the same
Was I the moth or flame
I’m all at sea
It all began so well
But what an end
This is the time a feller
Needs a friend
When every happy plot
Ends with the marriage knot
And there’s no knot for me

First appeared in the show Girl Crazy with Ginger Rogers

But Beautiful (1947)

Lyrics by Johnny Burke
Music by Jimmy van Heusen

Love is funny or it’s sad
It’s quiet or it’s mad
It’s a good thing or it’s bad
But beautiful

Beautiful
To take a chance
And if you fall, you fall
And I’m thinking
I wouldn’t mind at all

Love is tearful or it’s gay
It’s a problem or it’s play
It’s a heartache anyway
But beautiful

And I’m thinking
If you were mine
I’d never let you go
And that would be
But beautiful
I know

(long bridge)

Love is tearful or it’s gay
It’s a problem or it’s play
It’s a heartache anyway
But beautiful

And I’m thinking
If you were mine
I’d never let you go
And that would be
But beautiful
I know

 

from the film Road to Rio with Bing Crosby (first to sing)

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Born To Love

Jack Scholl & M.K. Jerome

There’s something rules our destiny
Right from the first day of our birth
Although you may not care for me
You have your mission on this earth
You were born to love
Sure as you live
Born with everything heaven could give
You have eyes and they express
Love at a glance
You have lips whose tenderness
Speak of romance

Like a dream of love, lovely to see
You’re the angel of my destiny
And to think that you have found
Your place on earth only to be
Born to love and be loved by me

(bridge)

Like a dream of love, lovely to see
You’re the angel of my destiny
And to think that you have found
Your place on earth only to be
Born to love and be loved by me

 

Body And Soul (1930)

lyrics:  Edward Heyman & Robert Sour & Frank Eyton

music: Johnny W. Green

My days have grown so lonely
For you I cry
For you dear only
Why haven’t you seen it
I’m all for you body and soul

I spend my days in longing
I’m wondering why it’s me you’re wronging
Oh tell you I mean it
I’m all for you body and soul

I can’t believe it
It’s hard to conceive it
That you’d throw away romance
Are you pretending
It looks like the ending
Unless I can have one more chance to prove dear

My life a hell you’re making
You know I’m yours for just the taking
I’d gladly surrender
Myself to you body and soul

(bridge)

What lies before me
A future that’s stormy
A winter that’s gray and cold
Unless there’s magic the end will be tragic
And echo a tale that’s been told so often

My life revolves about you
What earthly good am I without you
I tell you I mean it
I’m all for you body and soul

2nd version

(intro)

My days have grown so lonely
For you I cry
For you dear only
Why haven’t you seen it
I’m all for you body and soul

I spend my days in longing
I’m wondering why it’s me you’re wronging
I tell you I mean it
I’m all for you body and soul

I can’t believe it
It’s hard to conceive it
That you’d throw away romance
Are you pretending
It looks like the ending
Unless I can have one more chance to prove dear

My life a hell you’re making
You know I’m yours for just the taking
I’d gladly surrender
Myself to you body and soul

What lies before me
A future that’s stormy
A winter that’s gray and cold
Unless there’s magic the end will be tragic
And echo a tale that’s been told so often

My life revolves about you
What earthly good am I without you
Oh I tell you I mean it
I’m all for you body and soul

 

3rd version

(short version)

My days have grown so lonely
For you I cry
For you dear only
Why haven’t you seen it
I’m all for you body and soul

I spend my days in longing
I’m wondering why it’s me you’re wronging
Oh, I tell you I mean it
I’m all for you body and soul

I can’t believe it
It’s hard to conceive it
That you’d throw away romance
Are you pretending
It looks like the ending
Unless I can have one more chance to prove dear

My life a hell you’re making
You know I’m yours for just the taking
Oh I tell you I mean it
I’m all for you body and soul

 

4th version

My days have grown so lonely
For you I cry
For you dear only
Why haven’t you seen it
I’m all for you body and soul

I spend my days in longing
You know it’s you that I am longing
Oh tell you I mean it
I’m all for you body and soul

I can’t believe it
It’s hard to conceive it
That you’d throw away romance
Are you pretending
It looks like the ending
Unless I can have one more chance to prove dear

My life a wreck you’re making
You know I’m yours for just the taking
Oh, I tell you I mean it
I’m all for you body and soul

(long bridge)

My days have grown so lonely
For you I cry
For you dear only
Oh, I haven’t you seen it
I’m all for you body and soul

I spend my days in longing
And it’s for you that I am longing
Oh I tell you I mean it
I’m all for you body and soul

I can’t believe it
It’s hard to conceive it
That you’d throw away romance
Are you pretending
It looks like the ending
Unless I can have one more chance to prove dear

My life a hell you’re making
You know I’m yours for just the taking
Oh, I tell you I mean it
I’m all for you body and soul

This song came from the show Three’s a Crowd

28. Blue Turning Grey Over You

Fats Waller & Andy Razaf

 

My, how I miss
Your tender kiss
And the wonderful things you would do

I run my hands
Through silvery strands
‘Cause I’m blue turning grey over you.

You used to be
So good to me
That’s when I was a novelty

Now you have new thrills in view
Found someone new
Left me blue turning grey over you

You used to be
So good to me
That’s when I was a novelty

Now you have new thrills in view
Found someone new
Left me blue turning grey over you

Yes, I’m blue turning grey over you

Blue Moon (1934)

lyrics by Lorenz Hart
music by Richard Rodgers

Blue moon
You saw me standing alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own

Blue moon
You knew just what I was there for
You heard me saying a prayer for
Someone I really could care for

And then there suddenly appeared before me
The only one my arms will ever hold
I heard somebody whisper – please adore me
And when I looked
The moon had turned to gold

Blue moon
Now I’m no longer alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own

(bridge)

Blue moon
You saw me standing alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own

Blue moon
You knew just what I was there for
You heard me saying a prayer for
Someone I really could care for

And then there suddenly appeared before me
The only one my arms will ever hold
I heard somebody whisper – please adore me
And when I looked
The moon had turned to gold

Blue moon
Now I’m no longer alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own

Blue moon

 

2nd version

Blue moon
You saw me standing alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own

Blue moon
You knew just what I was there for
You heard me saying a prayer for
Someone I really could care for

And then there suddenly appeared before me
The only one my arms could ever hold
I heard somebody whisper – please adore me
I heard the moon had turned to gold

Blue moon
Now I’m no longer alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own

And then there suddenly appeared before me
The only one my arms will ever hold
I heard somebody whisper – please adore me
I heard the moon had turned to gold

Blue moon
Now I’m no longer alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own

Blue moon

Billie’s Blues (I Love My Man)

Billie Holiday

Lord I love my man tell the world I do
I love my man tell the world I do
But when he mistreats me
Makes me feel so blue

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper and put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I had a long, long way to go

(bridge)

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I got money

Some tell me baby you’re built for speed
Now if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I had a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother, she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some say Billie,

Baby you’re built for speed
Now if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I had a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother, she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some say: Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I had a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother, she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some say: Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I had a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother, she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some say: Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I had a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother, she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some say Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
And if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I had a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother, she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some tell me Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now, if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

(TV program intro)

(very fast tempo)

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
Before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
Had a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother, give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
‘Cause I’m snappy
Call me honey
Think I’ve got money

Some tell me Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now, put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

(4min very long coda, almost a jam session)

(intro)

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I have a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother, she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some tell me Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now, if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

 

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I have a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother, she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some tell me Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now, if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

(applauses)

 

(intro)

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I have a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some tell me Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now, if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

(applauses)

 

(intro)

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I have a long, long ways to go

(very long bridge, 8 min long)

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some tell me Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now, if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

(applauses)

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I have a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some tell me Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now, if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

 

(very short version)

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some tell me Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now, if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

(applauses)

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I have a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some tell me Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now, if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I have a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some tell me Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now, if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

(applauses)

(Billie’s voice is awful)

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I have a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some tell me Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now, if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

(MC comments)

(awful recording, bad sound, out of pace)

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I have a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some tell me Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now, if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I have a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some tell me Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now, if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

(applauses)

Big Stuff (1944)

lyrics & music by Leonard Bernstein

(Toots Camarata Orchestra version)

So you cry
What’s it about, baby?
You ask why
The blues had to go and pick you
So you go
Down to the shore kid’s stuff
Don’t you know
There’s honey in the store for you big stuff
Let’s take a ride on my gravy train
The doors open wide
Come in from out of the rain

So you stare
Call it despair big stuff
Don’t you care
I’m on the square about you
Let’s have a try
It maybe that I’m the guy

(bridge)

So you stare
Call it despair big stuff
Don’t you care
I’m on the square about you
Let’s have a try
It maybe that I’m the guy

2nd version

(Bob Haggart Orchestra version)

So you cry
What’s it about, baby?
You ask why
The blues had to go and pick you
So you go
Down to the shore kid’s stuff
Don’t you know
There’s honey in the store for you big stuff
Let’s take a ride on my gravy train
The doors open wide
Come in from out of the rain

So you stare
Call it despair big stuff
Don’t you care
I’m on the square about you
Let’s have a try
It maybe that you’re my guy

(bridge)

So you stare
Call it despair big stuff
Don’t you care
I’m on the square about you
Let’s have a try
It maybe that you’re my guy

3rd version

(Bill Stegmeyer Orchestra version)

So you cry
What’s it about, baby?
You ask why
The blues had to go and pick you
So you go
Down to the shore kid’s stuff
Don’t you know
There’s honey in the store for you big stuff
Let’s take a ride in my gravy train
The doors open wide
Come in from out of the rain

So you stare
Call it despair big stuff
Don’t you care
I’m on the square about you
Let’s have a try
It maybe that you’re my guy

(bridge)

So you stare
Call it despair big stuff
Don’t you care
I’m on the square about you
Let’s have a try
It maybe that you’re my guy

 

4th version

(Billie Holiday Orchestra version – small band)

So you cry
What’s it about, baby?
You ask why
The blues had to go and pick you
So you go
Down to the shore kid’s stuff
Don’t you know
There’s honey in the store for you big stuff
Let’s take a ride in my gravy train
The doors open wide
Come in from out of the rain

So you stare
Call it despair baby
Don’t you care
I’m on the square about you
Let’s have a try
It maybe that you’re my guy

(very short bridge)

Let’s take a ride in my gravy train
The doors open wide
Come in from out of the rain

So you stare
Call it despair baby
Don’t you care
I’m on the square about you
Let’s have a try
It maybe that you’re my guy

 

Quite unusual song: Decca did 4 different recordings, in 4 different dates with 4 different bands. The only one generally marked as MT is the fourth (actually, the best of them all). In this work, however, I considered all four as MT: they are actually completely independent recordings.

The song was composed for “Fancy Free” (1944), The first Bernstein’s foray into the world of the ballet, and it immediately became extremely popular.

Saddest Tale (aka Big City Blues)

Duke Ellington

N.A.