Last night, couldn't sleep .. those damn lyrics rolling around in my head again. I was sure I had a great version, with "that's why the future is a hoax", but today it sounds absurd!!
I really like Meredith's nebula version!
I looked up the original lyrics today, with all the verses, and I see that, perhaps, I don't need to re-write it at all, because the original meaning of "tramp", as in "hobo", makes the song a much more interesting tale. It's Frank Sinatra's reinterpretation of the song, insinuating that the society woman is really still a prostitute (since she used to be a stripper), that made it so hard to understand. Read this:
VERSE
I've wined and dined on Mulligan stew
And never wished for turkey
As I hitched and hiked and grifted, too,
From Maine to Albuquerque.
Alas, I missed the Beaux Arts Ball,
And what is twice as sad,
I was never at a party
Where they honored Noel Ca' ad.
But social circles spin too fast for me.
My Hobohemia is the place to be.
REFRAIN 1
I get too hungry for dinner at eight
I like the theater but never come late
I never bother with people I hate
That's why the lady is a tramp
I don't like crapgames with Barons and Earls
Won't go to Harlem in ermine and pearls
Won't dish the dirt with the rest of the girls
That's why the lady is a tramp
I like the free fresh wind in my hair
Life without care
I'm broke, it's oke
Hates California is cold and is damp
That's why the lady is a tramp
REFRAIN 2
I go to Coney-the beach is divine.
I go to ball games-the bleachers are fine.
I follow Winchell and read ev'ry line.
That's why the lady is a tramp.
I like a prizefight that isn't a fake.
I love the rowing on Central Park Lake.
I go to opera and stay wide awake.
That's why the lady is a tramp.
I like the green grass under my shoes.
What can I lose?
I'm flat! That's that!
I'm all alone when I lower my lamp.
That's why the lady is a tramp.
REFRAIN 3 (reprise)
Don't know the reason for cocktails at five.
I don't like flying-I'm glad I'm alive.
I crave affection, but not when I drive.
That's why the lady is a tramp.
Folks go to London and leave me behind.
I'll miss the crowning, Queen Mary won't mind.
I don't play Scarlett in Gone With the Wind-
That' s why the lady is a tramp.
I like to hang my hat where I please.
Sail with the breeze.
No dough-heigh-ho!
I love La Guardia and think he's a champ.
That' s why the lady is a tramp.
REFRAIN 4 (reprise)
Girls get massages, they cry and they moan.
Tell Lizzie Arden to leave me alone.
I'm not so hot, but my shape is my own.
That's why the lady is a tramp!
The food at Sardi's is perfect, no doubt.
I wouldn't know what the Ritz is about.
I drop a nickel and coffee comes out.
That's why the lady is a tramp!
I like the sweet, fresh rain in my face.
Diamonds and lace,
No got-so what?
Lyrics by Lorenz Hart, music by Richard Rodgers - the original show was Babes in Arms (which also featured "My Funny Valentine" and "Johnny One Note".
I really like Meredith's nebula version!
I looked up the original lyrics today, with all the verses, and I see that, perhaps, I don't need to re-write it at all, because the original meaning of "tramp", as in "hobo", makes the song a much more interesting tale. It's Frank Sinatra's reinterpretation of the song, insinuating that the society woman is really still a prostitute (since she used to be a stripper), that made it so hard to understand. Read this:
VERSE
I've wined and dined on Mulligan stew
And never wished for turkey
As I hitched and hiked and grifted, too,
From Maine to Albuquerque.
Alas, I missed the Beaux Arts Ball,
And what is twice as sad,
I was never at a party
Where they honored Noel Ca' ad.
But social circles spin too fast for me.
My Hobohemia is the place to be.
REFRAIN 1
I get too hungry for dinner at eight
I like the theater but never come late
I never bother with people I hate
That's why the lady is a tramp
I don't like crapgames with Barons and Earls
Won't go to Harlem in ermine and pearls
Won't dish the dirt with the rest of the girls
That's why the lady is a tramp
I like the free fresh wind in my hair
Life without care
I'm broke, it's oke
Hates California is cold and is damp
That's why the lady is a tramp
REFRAIN 2
I go to Coney-the beach is divine.
I go to ball games-the bleachers are fine.
I follow Winchell and read ev'ry line.
That's why the lady is a tramp.
I like a prizefight that isn't a fake.
I love the rowing on Central Park Lake.
I go to opera and stay wide awake.
That's why the lady is a tramp.
I like the green grass under my shoes.
What can I lose?
I'm flat! That's that!
I'm all alone when I lower my lamp.
That's why the lady is a tramp.
REFRAIN 3 (reprise)
Don't know the reason for cocktails at five.
I don't like flying-I'm glad I'm alive.
I crave affection, but not when I drive.
That's why the lady is a tramp.
Folks go to London and leave me behind.
I'll miss the crowning, Queen Mary won't mind.
I don't play Scarlett in Gone With the Wind-
That' s why the lady is a tramp.
I like to hang my hat where I please.
Sail with the breeze.
No dough-heigh-ho!
I love La Guardia and think he's a champ.
That' s why the lady is a tramp.
REFRAIN 4 (reprise)
Girls get massages, they cry and they moan.
Tell Lizzie Arden to leave me alone.
I'm not so hot, but my shape is my own.
That's why the lady is a tramp!
The food at Sardi's is perfect, no doubt.
I wouldn't know what the Ritz is about.
I drop a nickel and coffee comes out.
That's why the lady is a tramp!
I like the sweet, fresh rain in my face.
Diamonds and lace,
No got-so what?
Lyrics by Lorenz Hart, music by Richard Rodgers - the original show was Babes in Arms (which also featured "My Funny Valentine" and "Johnny One Note".
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on Tuesday, May 14, 2002 at 10:53 AM.
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