94. I Cover The Waterfront (1933)

lyrics: Edward Heyman

music: Johnny W. Green 

follows 14 versions of this song

 

Away from the city that hurts and mocks
I’m standing alone by the desolate docks
In the still and the chill of the night

I see the horizon the great unknown
My heart has an ache it’s as heavy as stone
Will the dawn coming on make it light?

I cover the waterfront
I’m watching the sea
Will the one I love
Be coming back to me?

I cover the waterfront
In search of my love
And I’m covered
By a starlit sky above

Here am I
Patiently waiting
Hoping and longing
Oh how I yearn
Where are you
Are you forgetting
Do you remember
Will you return

I cover the waterfront
I’m watching the sea
For the one I love
Must soon come back to me

(very short bridge)

For the one I love
Must soon come back to me

 

2nd version

(no verse; lyrics different from 1941 session)

I cover the waterfront
In search of my love
And I’m covered
By a starlit sky above

Here am I
Patiently waiting
Hoping and longing
Oh how I yearn
Where are you
Have you forgotten
Will you remember
Will you return

I cover the waterfront
I’m watching the sea
Will the one I love
Be coming back to me

Here am I
Patiently waiting
Hoping and longing
Oh how I yearn
Where are you
Have you forgotten
Will you remember
Will you return

I cover the waterfront
I’m watching the sea
Will the one I love
Be coming back to me

Will the one I love
Be coming back to me

 

3rd version

I cover the waterfront
In search of my love
And I’m covered
By a starlit sky above

Here am I
Patiently waiting
Hoping and longing
Oh how I yearn
Where are you
Have you forgotten
Will you remember
Will you return

I cover the waterfront
I’m watching the sea
Will the one I love
Be coming back to me

Here am I
Patiently waiting
Hoping and longing
Oh how I yearn
Where are you
Have you forgotten
Will you remember
Will you return

I cover the waterfront
I’m watching the sea
Will the one I love
Be coming back to me

Will the one I love
Be coming back to me

 

4th version

I cover the waterfront
In search of my love
And I’m covered
By a starlit sky above

Here am I
Patiently waiting
Hoping and longing
Oh how I yearn
Where are you
Have you forgotten
Will you remember
Will you return

I cover the waterfront
I’m watching the sea
Will the one I love
Be coming back to me

Here am I
Patiently waiting
Hoping and longing
Oh how I yearn
Where are you
Have you forgotten
Will you remember
Will you return

I cover the waterfront
I’m watching the sea
Will the one I love
Be coming back to me

Will the one I love
Be coming back to me

 

5th version

I cover the waterfront
In search of my love
And I’m covered
By a starlit sky above

Here am I
Patiently waiting
Hoping and longing
Oh how I yearn
Where are you
Have you forgotten
Will you remember
Will you return

I cover the waterfront
I’m watching the sea
Will the one I love
Be coming back to me

Here am I
Patiently waiting
Hoping and longing
Oh how I yearn
Where are you
Have you forgotten
Will you remember
Will you return

I cover the waterfront
I’m watching the sea
Will the one I love
Be coming back to me

Will the one I love
Be coming back to me

 

6th version

Away from the city that hurts and mocks
I’m standing alone by the desolate docks
In the still and the chill of the night
I see the horizon the great unknown
My heart has an ache
It’s as heavy as stone
With the dawn coming on make it light

I cover the waterfront
I’m watching the sea
Will the one I love
Be coming back to me

I cover the waterfront
In search of my love
And I’m covered
By a starlit sky above

Here am I
Patiently waiting
Hoping and longing
Oh how I yearn
Where are you
Have you forgotten
Will you remember
Will you return

I cover the waterfront
I’m watching the sea
Will the one I love
Be coming back to me

Will the one I love
Be coming back
To me

 

7th version

(no verse)

I cover the waterfront
I’m watching the sea
Will the one I love
Be coming back to me

I cover the waterfront
In search of my love
And I’m covered
By a starlit sky above

Here am I
Patiently waiting
Hoping and longing
Oh how I yearn
Where are you
Have you forgotten
Will you remember
Will you return

I cover the waterfront
I’m watching the sea
Will the one I love
Be coming back to me

Will the one I love
Be coming back
To me

(audience applauses)

 

8th version

Away from the city that hurts and mocks
I’m standing alone by the desolate docks
In the still and the chill of the night
I see the horizon the great unknown
My heart has an ache
It’s as heavy as stone
Will the dawn coming on make it light

I cover the waterfront
I’m watching the sea
Will the one I love
Be coming back to me

I cover the waterfront
In search of my love
And I’m covered
By a starlit sky above

Here am I
Patiently waiting
Hoping and longing
Oh how I yearn
Where are you
Have you forgotten
Will you remember
Will you return

I cover the waterfront
I’m watching the sea
Will the one I love
Be coming back to me

Will the one I love
Be coming back
To me

 

9th version

(only half verse)

I see the horizon the great unknown
My heart has an ache
It’s as heavy as stone
With the dawn coming on make it light

I cover the waterfront
I’m watching the sea
Will the one I love
Be coming back to me

I cover the waterfront
In search of my love
And I’m covered
By a starlit sky above

Here am I
Patiently waiting
Hoping and longing
Oh how I yearn
Where are you
Have you forgotten
Will you remember
Will you return

I cover the waterfront
I’m watching the sea
Will the one I love
Be coming back to me

Will the one I love
Be coming back
To me

 

10th version

Away from the city that hurts and mocks
I’m standing alone by the desolate docks
In the still and the chill of the night
I see the horizon the great unknown
My heart has an ache
It’s as heavy as stone
Will the dawn coming on make it light

I cover the waterfront
I’m watching the sea
Will the one I love
Be coming back to me

I cover the waterfront
In search of my love
And I’m covered
By a starlit sky above

Here am I
Patiently waiting
Hoping and longing
Oh how I yearn
Where are you
Have you forgotten
Will you remember
Will you return

I cover the waterfront
I’m watching the sea
Will the one I love
Be coming back to me

Will the one I love
Be coming back
To me

 

11th version

Away from the city that hurts and mocks
I’m standing alone by the desolate docks
In the still and the chill of the night
I see the horizon the great unknown
My heart has an ache
It’s as heavy as stone
Will the dawn coming on make it light

I cover the waterfront
I’m watching the sea
Will the one I love
Be coming back to me

I cover the waterfront
In search of my love
And I’m covered
By a starlit sky above

Here am I
Patiently waiting
Hoping and longing
Oh how I yearn
Where are you
Have you forgotten
Will you remember
Will you return

I cover the waterfront
I’m watching the sea
Will the one I love
Be coming back to me

Will the one I love
Be coming back
To me

 

12th version

(intros)

Away from the city that hurts and mocks
I’m standing alone by the desolate docks
In the still and the chill of the night
I see the horizon the great unknown
My heart has an ache
It’s as heavy as stone
Will the dawn coming on make it light

I cover the waterfront
I’m watching the sea
Will the one I love
Be coming back to me

I cover the waterfront
In search of my love
And I’m covered
By a starlit sky above

Here am I
Patiently waiting
Hoping and longing
Oh how I yearn
Where are you
Have you forgotten
Will you remember
Will you return

I cover the waterfront
I’m watching the sea
Will the one I love
Be coming back to me

Will the one I love
Be coming back
To me

You’ll get bold

 

13th version

Away from the city that hurts and mocks
I’m standing alone by the desolate docks
In the still and the chill of the night
I see the horizon the great unknown
My heart has an ache
It’s as heavy as stone
Will the dawn coming on make it light

I cover the waterfront
I’m watching the sea
Will the one I love
Be coming back to me

I cover the waterfront
In search of my love
And I’m covered
By a starlit sky above

Here am I
Patiently waiting
Hoping and longing
Oh how I yearn
Where are you
Have you forgotten
Will you remember
Will you return

I cover the waterfront
I’m watching the sea
Will the one I love
Be coming back to me

Will the one I love
Be coming back
To me

 

14th version

Away from the city that hurts and mocks
I’m standing alone by the desolate docks
In the still and the chill of the night
I see the horizon the great unknown
My heart has an ache
It’s as heavy as stone
Will the dawn coming on make it light

I cover the waterfront
I’m watching the sea
Will the one I love
Be coming back to me

I cover the waterfront
In search of my love
And I’m covered
By a starlit sky above

Here am I
Patiently waiting
Hoping and longing
Oh how I yearn
Where are you
Have you forgotten
Will you remember
Will you return

I cover the waterfront
I’m watching the sea
Will the one I love
Be coming back to me

Will the one I love
Be coming back
To me

(applauses)

The song was inspired by Max Miller’s 1932 best-selling novel I Cover the Waterfront. The song became instantly popular, and many artists covered it. A 1933 motion picture, also inspired by Miller’s book and also titled I Cover the Waterfront, was re-scored at the last minute to include the tune. Sheet music publishers later used the film’s success by claiming that the song was “inspired by the United Artist Picture of the same name” (Wikipedia).

93. I Can’t Pretend

Charles Tobias & Paul Rusincky

I can’t pretend
I’m sorry we’re apart
I can’t pretend
I just can’t fool my heart
Though I make mine
My friends all seem to realize
Their smiles, that look in my eye
I can’t pretend
I simply can’t be gayer
For in the end
My tears give me away
Without you dear
I live a lie
I can’t defend
I love you
And I can’t pretend

(bridge)

I can’t pretend
I simply can’t be gayer
For in the end
My tears give me away
Without you dear
I live a lie
I can’t defend
I love you
And I can’t pretend

92. I Can’t Give Anything But Love (Baby) (1928)

lyrics: Dorothy Fields

music: Jimmy McHugh

I can’t give you anything but love, baby
That’s the only thing I’ve plenty of, baby
Scheme a while dream a while
We’re sure to find
Happiness and I guess
All those things you’ve always pined for
Gee I’d like to see you looking swell, baby
Diamond bracelets Woolworth doesn’t sell, baby
Until that lucky day
You know darned well, baby
I can’t give you anything but love

First appeared in the show Blackbirds of 1928

91. I Can’t Get Started (1935)

lyrics:  Ira Gershwin

music: Vernon Duke

I’ve been around the world in a plane
Settled revolutions in Spain
The North Pole I have charted
But can’t get started with you

And at the golf course I’m under par
Metro-Goldwyn wants me to star
I’ve got a house and a show place
But can’t get no place with you

You’re so supreme
Lyrics I write of you
Dream, dream day and night of you
Scheme, just for the sight of you
But what good will it do?

I’ve been consulted by Franklin D
Even Gable had me to tea
But now I’m brokenhearted
Can’t get started with you

(bridge)

(the next two verses are different from MT)

You’re so supreme
The lyrics I write of you
Dream, dream day and night of you
Scheme, just for the sight of you
But what good does it do?

I’ve been consulted by Franklin D
Even Basie had me to tea
But now I’m brokenhearted
Can’t get started with you

 

2nd version

I’ve been around the world in a plane
Settled revolutions in Spain
The North Pole I have charted
But can’t get started with you

And at the golf course I’m under par
Metro-Goldwyn wants me to star
I’ve got a house and a show place
But can’t get no place with you

You’re so supreme
Lyrics I write of you
Dream, dream day and night of you
Scheme, just for the sight of you
Baby but what good does it do

I’ve been consulted by Franklin D.
Robert Taylor has had me to tea
But now I’m brokenhearted
Can’t get started with you

(bridge)

When first we met how you elated me
Pet, you devastated me
Yet, now you’ve deflated me
‘Till, you’re my Waterloo

When J.P. Morgan bows I just nod
Green Pastures wanted me to play God
The Siamese Twins I’ve parted
Can’t get started with you

 

3rd version

I’ve been around the world in a plane
Settled revolutions in Spain
The North Pole I have charted
But can’t get started with you

Around the golf course I’m under par
And Metro-Goldwyn wants me to star
I’ve got a house and a show place
But can’t get no place with you

You’re so supreme
Lyrics I write of you
Scheme, just for the sight of you
Dream, both day and night of you
And what good does it do?

I’ve been consulted by Franklin D.
Robert Taylor has hand me to tea
And yet I’m brokenhearted
Can’t get started with you

(bridge)

When first we met how you elated me
Pet, you devastated me
Yet, now you’ve deflated me
Till, you’re my Waterloo

When J.P. Morgan bows I just nod
Green Pastures wanted me to play God
The Siamese Twins I’ve parted
Can’t get started with you

Notes on lyrics:

Franklin D. = Franklin D. Roosevelt, US President at the time (1933-1945)

JP Morgan =  famous American banker

Robert Taylor = American actor (1911-1969); one of his major films was Camille, with Greta Garbo, in 1936.

The Green Pastures = a movie from 1936 with several old-testament stories

Clark Gable = American actor (1901-1960); Gable is best known for his performance in Gone with the Wind (1939)  which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.

The Siamese Twins = The Bunker brothers (1811-1874) were cojoined twin brothers from Thailand and became the basis for the generic term.

The song first appeared in the show Ziegfired Follies of 1936 with Bob Hope and Eve Harden.

90. I Can’t Face The Music

Bloom & Koehler

Breeze
Stop moaning’ those weird melodies
My man has left me and I can’t face the music
Without singing’ the blues
Rain
Your rhythm on my window pane
Drives me insane because I can’t face the music
Without singing’ the blues

My heart is so broken
I’ve spoken
To the Lord for sympathy
And if He don’t help me
So help me
It’s the bottom of the deep blue sea
For me
I’m gonna end this misery
My man has left me and I can’t face the music
Without singing the blues

My heart is so broken
I’ve spoken
To the Lord for sympathy
And if He don’t help me
So help me
It’s the bottom of the deep blue sea
For me
I’m gonna end this misery
My man has left me and I can’t face the music
Without singing the blues

I can’t face the music

89. I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me (1927)

lyrics: Clarence Gaskill

music: Jimmy McHugh 

Your eyes of blue your kisses too
I never knew what they could do
I can’t believe you’re in love with me

You’re telling everyone I know
I’m on your mind each place you go
They can’t believe you’re in love with me

I have always placed you far above me
I just can’t image that you love me
And after all is said and done
It looks like I’m the lucky one
I can’t believe you’re in love with me

 

2nd version

Your eyes of blue your kisses too
I never knew what they could do
I can’t believe that you’re in love with me

You’re telling everyone I know
I’m on your mind each place you go
They can’t believe you’re in love with me

I have always placed you far above me
I just can’t image that you love me
And after all is said and done
To think that I’m the lucky one
I can’t believe you’re in love with me