165. Lover Man (Oh, Where Can You Be?) (1941)

lyrics and music by Jimmy Davis & Ram Ramirez & James Sherman

I don’t know why but I’m feeling so sad
I long to try something I’ve never had
Never had no kissin’
Oh, what I’ve been missin’
Lover man, oh, where can you be?

The night is cold and I’m so all alone
I’d give my soul just to call you my own
Got a moon above me
But no one to love me
Lover man, oh, where can you be?

I’ve heard it said
That the thrill of romance
Can be like a heavenly dream
I go to bed with a prayer
That you’ll make love to me
Strange as it seems

Someday we’ll meet
And you’ll dry all my tears
Then whisper sweet
Little things in my ears
Hugging and a-kissing
Oh, what we’ve been missing
Lover man, oh, where can you be?

I’ve heard it said
That the thrill of romance
Can be like a heavenly dream
I go to bed with a prayer
That you’ll make love to me
Strange as it seems

Someday we’ll meet
And you’ll dry all my tears
Then whisper sweet
Little things in my ears
Hugging and a-kissing
Oh, what we’ve been missing
Lover man
Where can you be?

 

2nd version

(Intro by MC)

I don’t know why but I’m feeling so sad
I long to try something I’ve never had
Never had no kissin’
Oh, what I’ve been missin’
Lover man, oh, where can you be?

The night is cold and I’m so all alone
I’d give my soul just to call you my own
Got a moon above me
But no one to love me
Lover man, oh, where can you be?

I’ve heard it said
That the thrill of romance
Can be like a heavenly dream
I go to bed with a prayer
That you’ll make love to me
Strange as it seems

Someday we’ll meet
And you’ll dry all my tears
Then whisper sweet
Little things in my ears
Hugging and a-kissing
Oh, what we’ve been missing
Lover man, oh, where can you be?

I’ve heard it said
That the thrill of romance
Can be like a heavenly dream
I go to bed with a prayer
That you’ll make love to me
Strange as it seems

Someday we’ll meet
And you’ll dry all my tears
Then whisper sweet
Little things in my ears
A-hugging and a-kissing
Oh, what we’ve been missing
Lover man
Where can you be?

(applauses)

 

3rd version

I don’t know why but I’m feeling so sad
I long to try something I’ve never had
Never had no kissin’
Oh, what I’ve been missin’
Lover man, oh, where can you be?

The night is cold and I’m so all alone
I’d give my soul just to call you my own
Got a moon above me
But no one to love me
Lover man, oh, where can you be?

I’ve heard it said
That the thrill of romance
Can be like a heavenly dream
I go to bed with a prayer
That you’ll make love to me
Strange as it seems

Someday we’ll meet
And you’ll dry all my tears
Then whisper sweet
Little things in my ears
A hugging and a-kissing
Oh, what we’ve been missing
Lover man,
Lover man,
Where can you be?

 

4th version

I don’t know why but I’m feeling so sad
I long to try something I’ve never had
Never had no kissin’
Oh, what I’ve been missin’
Lover man, oh, where can you be?

The night is cold and I’m so all alone
I’d give my soul just to call you my own
Got a moon above me
But no one to love me
Lover man, oh, where can you be?

I’ve heard it said
That the thrill of romance
Can be like a heavenly dream
I go to bed with a prayer
That you’ll make love to me
Strange as it seems

Someday we’ll meet
And you’ll dry all my tears
Then whisper sweet
Little things in my ears
A hugging and a-kissing
Oh, what we’ve been missing
Lover man,
Lover man,
Where can you be?

(applauses)

 

5th version

I don’t know why but I’m feeling so sad
I long to try something I’ve never had
Never had no kissin’
Oh, what I’ve been missin’
Lover man, oh, where can you be?

The night is cold and I’m so all alone
I’d give my soul just to call you my own
Got a moon above me
But no one to love me
Lover man, oh, where can you be?

I’ve heard it said
That the thrill of romance
Can be like a heavenly dream
I go to bed with a prayer
That you’ll make love to me
Strange as it seems

Someday we’ll meet
And you’ll dry all my tears
Then whisper sweet
Little things in my ears
A hugging and a-kissing
Oh, what we’ve been missing
Lover man,
Lover man,
Where can you be?

(applauses)

 

6th version

I don’t know why but I’m feeling so sad
I long to try something I’ve never had
Never had no kissin’
Oh, what I’ve been missin’
Lover man, oh, where can you be?

The night is cold and I’m so all alone
I’d give my soul just to call you my own
Got a moon above me
But no one to love me
Lover man, oh, where can you be?

I’ve heard it said
That the thrill of romance
Can be like a heavenly dream
I go to bed with a prayer
That you’ll make love to me
Strange as it seems

Someday we’ll meet
And you’ll dry all my tears
Then whisper sweet
Little things in my ears
A hugging and a-kissing
Oh, what we’ve been missing
Lover man,
Lover man,
Where can you be?

(applauses)

 

7th version

I don’t know why but I’m feeling so sad
I long to try something I’ve never had
Never had no kissin’
Oh, what I’ve been missin’
Lover man, oh, where can you be?

The night is cold and I’m so all alone
I’d give my soul just to call you my own
Got a moon above me
But no one to love me
Lover man, oh, where can you be?

I’ve heard it said
That the thrill of romance
Can be like a heavenly dream
I go to bed with a prayer
That you’ll make love to me
Strange as it seems

Someday we’ll meet
And you’ll dry all my tears
Then whisper sweet
Little things in my ears
A hugging and a-kissing
Oh, what we’ve been missing
Lover man,
Lover man,
Where can you be?

(applauses)

 

Billie Holiday was the first to sing this song
 

164. Lover, Come Back To Me! (1928)

lyrics: Oscar Hammerstein II

music: Sigmund Romberg

(Eddie Heywood smaller band)

The sky was blue
And high above
The moon was new
And so was love
This eager heart of mine was singing
Lover where can you be
You came at last
Love had its day
That day is past
You’ve gone away
This aching heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me!

When I remember every little thing
You used to do
I’m so lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am lonely
The sky is blue
The night is cold
The moon is new
But love is old
And while I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me!

When I remember every little thing
You used to do
I grow lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am lonely

The sky is blue
The night is cold
The moon is new
But love is old
And while I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me!

 

2nd version

(smaller band)

The sky was blue
And high above
The moon was new
And so was love
This eager heart of mine was singing
Lover where can you be
You came at last
Love had its day
That day is past
You’ve gone away
This aching heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me!

When I remember every little thing
You used to do
I’m so lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am lonely
The sky is blue
The night is cold
The moon is new
But love is old
And while I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me!

When I remember every little thing
You used to do
I grow lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am lonely

The sky is blue
The night is cold
The moon is new
But love is old
And while I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me!

 

3rd version

(larger band)

The sky was blue
And high above
The moon was new
And so was love
This eager heart of mine was singing
Lover where can you be
You came at last
Love had its day
That day is past
You’ve gone away
This aching heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me!

When I remember every little thing
You used to do
I’m so lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am lonely
The sky is blue
The night is cold
The moon is new
But love is old
And while I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me!

When I remember every little thing
You used to do
I grow lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am so lonely

Sky is blue
Night is cold
The moon is new
But love is old
And while I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me!

 

4th version

(larger band)

The sky was blue
And high above
The moon was new
And so was love
This eager heart of mine was singing
Lover where can you be
You came at last
Love had its day
That day is past
You’ve gone away
This aching heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me!

When I remember every little thing
You used to do
I’m so lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am lonely
The sky is blue
The night is cold
The moon is new
But love is old
And while I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me!

When I remember every little thing
You used to do
I’m so lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am (so) lonely

Sky is blue
Night is cold
The moon is new
But love is old
And while I’m waiting here
This lonely heart is singing
Lover come back to me!

5th version

The sky is blue
And high above
The moon is new
And so is love
This eager heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me

The sky is blue
The night is cold
The moon is new
But love is old
This aching heart of mine is saying
Lover where can you be

When I remember every little thing
You used to do
I grow lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am lonely

The sky is blue
And high above
The moon is new
But love is old
And while I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me

When I remember every little thing
You used to do
I grow lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am lonely

The sky is blue
And high above
The moon is new
But love is old
And while I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me

 

6th version

The sky is blue
And high above
The moon is new
And so is love
This eager heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me

The sky is blue
The night is cold
The moon is new
But love is old
This aching heart of mine is saying
Lover where can you be

When I remember every little thing
You used to do
I grow lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am lonely

The sky is blue
The night is cold
The moon is new
But love is old
And while I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me

When I remember every little thing
You used to do
I grow lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am lonely

The sky is blue
And high above
The moon is new
But love is old
And while I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me

 

7th version

The sky was blue
And high above
The moon was new
And so was love
This eager heart of mine was singing
Lover where can you be
You came at last
Love had its day
That day is past
You’ve gone away
This aching heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me

When I remember every little thing
You used to do
I’m so lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am lonely
The sky is blue
The night is cold
The moon is new
Love is old
While I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me

(bridge)

When I remember every little thing
You used to do
I grow lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am lonely
The sky is blue
The night is cold
The moon is new
But love is old
While I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singing
Lover,
Come back to me

 

8th version

The sky is blue
And high above
The moon is new
And so is love
This eager heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me

The sky is blue
The night is cold
The moon is new
But love is old
This aching heart of mine is saying
Lover where can you be

When I remember every little thing
You used to do
I grow lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am lonely

The sky is blue
And high above
The moon is new
But love is old
And while I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singing

Lover,
Come back to me

 

9th version

The sky is blue
And high above
The moon is new
And so is love
This eager heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me

The sky is blue
The night is cold
The moon is new
But love is old
This aching heart of mine is saying
Lover where can you be

When I remember every little thing
You used to do
I grow lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am lonely

The sky is blue
And high above
The moon is new
But love is old
And while I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me

(bridge and German comments)

(applauses)

 

10th version

The sky is blue
And high above
The moon is new
And so is love
This eager heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me

The sky is blue
The night is cold
The moon is new
But love is old
This aching heart of mine is saying
Lover where can you be

When I remember every little thing
You used to do
I grow lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am lonely

The sky is blue
And high above
The moon is new
But love is old
And while I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me

(very long bridge, 4 min!)

The sky is blue
And high above
The moon is new
And so is love
This eager heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me

The sky is blue
The night is cold
The moon is new
But love is old
This aching heart of mine is saying
Lover where can you be

When I remember every little thing
You used to do
I grow lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am lonely

The sky is blue
And high above
The moon is new
But love is old
And while I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singing
Lover,
Come back to me

 

11th version

Sky is blue
High above
The moon is new
And so is love
This eager heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me

The sky is blue
The night is cold
The moon is new
But love is old
This aching heart of mine is saying
Lover where can you be

When I remember every little thing
You used to do
I grow lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am lonely

The sky is blue
And high above
The moon is new
But love is old
And while I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me

 

12th version

The sky is blue
And high above
The moon is new
And so is love
This eager heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me

The sky is blue
The night is cold
The moon is new
And love is old
This aching heart of mine is saying
Lover where can you be

When I remember every little thing
You used to do
I grow lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am lonely

The sky is blue
And high above
The moon is new
But love is old
And while I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singing
Lover,
Lover,
Come back to me

(Billie thanks the audience)

 

13th version

The sky is blue
And high above
The moon is new
And so is love
This eager heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me

The sky is blue
The night is cold
The moon is new
And love is old
This aching heart of mine is saying
Lover where can you be

When I remember every little thing
You used to do
I grow lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am lonely

The sky is blue
And high above
The moon is new
But love is old
And while I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singing
Lover,
Lover,
Come back to me

(applauses, fanfare lady be good)

 

14th version

Fanfare Oh lady be good

The sky is blue
And high above
The moon is new
And so is love
This eager heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me

The sky is blue
The night is cold
The moon is new
And love is old
This aching heart of mine is saying
Lover where can you be

When I remember every little thing
You used to do
I grow lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am lonely

The sky is blue
The night is cold
The moon is new
But love is old
And while I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singing
Lover,
Lover,
Come back to me

Right now

(applauses, fanfare lady be good)

 

15th version

The sky is blue
And high above
The moon is new
And so is love
This eager heart of mine is singing
Lover come back to me

The sky is blue
The night is cold
The moon is new
And love is old
This aching heart of mine is saying
Lover where can you be

When I remember every little thing
You used to do
I grow lonely
Every road I walk along
I walk along with you
No wonder I am lonely

The sky is blue
And high above
The moon is new
But love is old
And while I’m waiting here
This heart of mine is singing
Lover,
Lover,
Come back to me

(applauses)

First appeared in the show The New Moon

163. Loveless Love

W.C. Handy

Love is like a hydrant turns off and on
Like some friendships when your money’s gone
Love stands in with the loan sharks when your heart’s in tongs

If I had some strong wings like an aeroplane
Had some broad wings like an aeroplane
I would fly away forever
Never to come again

Oh love oh love oh loveless love
Has said our hearts are goldless gold
From milkless milk and silkless silk
We are growing used to soul-less souls

Such grafting times we never saw
That’s why we have a pure full law
In everything we find a flaw
Even love oh love oh loveless love

(bridge)

Just to fly away from loveless love

 

2nd version

Love is like a hydrant turns off and on
Like some friendships when your money’s gone
Love stands in with the loan sharks when your heart’s in tongs

If I had some strong wings like an aeroplane
Had some broad wings like an aeroplane
I would fly away forever
Never to come again

Oh love oh love oh loveless love
Has said our hearts are goldless gold
From milkless milk and silkless silk
We are growing used to soul-less souls

Such grafting times we never saw
That’s why we have a pure full law
In everything we find a flaw
Even love oh love oh loveless love

(bridge)

Just to fly away from loveless love

162. Love Me Or Leave Me (1928)

lyrics: Gus Kahn

music: Walter Donaldson

This suspense is killing me
I can’t stand uncertainty
Tell me now I’ve got to know
Whether you want me to stay or go

Love me or leave me
Or let me be lonely
You won’t believe me

I love you only
I’d rather be lonely
Then happy with somebody else

You might find the nighttime

The right time for kissing
But nighttime is my time
For just reminiscing
Regretting

Instead of forgetting with somebody else

 

There’ll be no one
Unless that someone is you
I intend to be independently blue

I want your love
But I don’t want to borrow
To have it today

To give back tomorrow
For your love is my love
There’s no love for nobody else

(bridge)

There’ll be no one
Unless that someone is you
I intend to be independently blue

I want your love
But I don’t want to borrow
To have it today

And to give back tomorrow
For your love is my love
There’s no love for nobody else

 

2nd version

Love me or leave me
Or let me be lonely
You won’t believe me I love you only
I’d rather be lonely
Then happy with somebody else

You might find the night time
The right time for kissing
But night time is my time
For reminiscing
Regrettin’ instead of forgetting
With somebody else

There’ll be no one
Unless that someone is you
I intend to be independently blue

I want your love
But I don’t want to borrow
To have it today to give back tomorrow
Your love is my love
There’s no love for nobody else

Love me or leave me
Or let me be lonely
You won’t believe me I love you only
I’d rather be lonely
Then happy with somebody else

You might find the night time
The right time for kissing
But night time is my time
For reminiscing
Regrettin’ instead of forgetting
With somebody else

There’ll be no one
Unless that someone is you
I intend to be independently blue

I want your love
But I don’t want to borrow
To have it today to give back tomorrow
Your love is my love
There’s no love for nobody else

 

 

First appeared in the show Whoopee

161. Love For Sale (1930)

lyrics and music by Cole Porter

Love for sale
Appetizing young love for sale
Love that’s fresh and still unspoiled
Love that’s only slightly soiled
Love for sale

Who will buy?
Who would like to sample my supply?
Who’s prepared to pay the price
For a trip to paradise?
Love for sale

Let the poets pipe of love
in their childish way
I know every type of love
Better far than they
If you want the thrill of love
I’ve been through the mill of love
Old love, new love
Every love but true love

Love for sale
Appetizing young love for sale
If you want to buy my wares
Follow me and climb the stairs
Love for sale

From the show The New Yorkers with Kathryn Crawford, Elisabeth Welsh & Libby Holman

160. Long Gone Blues

Billie Holiday

Talk to me baby
Tell me what’s the matter now
Tell me baby what’s the matter now?
Are you tryin’ to quit me baby
But you don’t know how

I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe

But before I be your doll
I see you in your grave
I’m a good gal
But my love is all wrong
I’m a good gal
But my love is all wrong
I’m a real good gal
But my love has gone

 

159. Life Begins When You’re In Love

Brown & Victor Schertzinger & Andrew Acquarulo Ackers

Life begins when you’re in love
You have the world before you
When you’ve found the one
The only one to love and adore you
It’s when you learn the sigh of it
The long of it, the cry of it
Life begins when Cupid wins
And you’re in love

Let’s Dream In The Moonlight

R. Walsh & Matty Malneck

Let’s dream in the moonlight
Tell me that you love me
Tell the stars above me
What’s in you heart

Let’s dream in the moonlight
Say you’re glad you found me
Put your arms around me
Before we part

Even though it’s just pretending
And the night will soon be through
I can say I’m only lending
When I give my heart to you

Let’s dream in the moonlight
Let’s your lips touch mine
Though we’re only dreaming
Tonight

Let’s dream in the moonlight
Tell me that you love me
Tell the stars above me
What’s in you heart

Let’s dream in the moonlight
Say you’re glad you found me
Put your arms around me
Before we part

Even though it’s just pretending
And the night is almost through
I can say I’m only lending
When I give my heart to you

Let’s dream in the moonlight
Let’s your lips touch mine
Though we’re only dreaming
Tonight

157. Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall in Love) (1928)

lyrics and music: Cole Porter

Chinks do it. Japs do it
Upper Lapland little Lapps do it
Let’s do it
Let’s fall in love

In Spain the best upper sets do it
Lithuanians and Letts do it
Let’s do it
Let’s fall in love

The Dutch in old Amsterdam do it
Not to mention the Finns
Folks in Siam do it
Think of Siamese twins

Some Argentines without means do it
People say in Boston even beans do it
Let’s do it
Let’s fall in love

(bridge)

Sponges they say do it
Oysters down in Oyster Bay do it
Let’s do it let’s fall in love

Cold Cape Cod clams
‘Gainst their wish do it
Even lazy jelly fish do it
Let’s do it
Let’s fall in love

Electric eels I might add do it
Though it shocks’em I know
Why ask if shad do it
Waiter bring me shad roe

In the shallow shoals English soles do it
Goldfish in privacy of bowls do it
Let’s do it
We’ll do it
Let’s do it
Let’s fall in love

 

2nd version

Chinks do it. Japs do it
Upper Lapland little Lapps do it
Let’s do it
Let’s fall in love

In Spain the best upper sets do it
Lithuanians and Letts do it
Let’s do it
Let’s fall in love

The Dutch in old Amsterdam do it
Not to mention the Finns
Folks in Siam do it
Think of Siamese twins

Some Argentines without means do it
People say in Boston even beans do it
Let’s do it
Let’s fall in love

(bridge)

Sponges they say do it
Oysters down in Oyster Bay do it
Let’s do it let’s fall in love

Cold Cape Cod clams
‘Gainst their wish do it
Even lazy jelly fish do it
Let’s do it
Let’s fall in love

Electric eels I might add do it
Though it shocks’em I know
Why ask if shad do it
Waiter bring me shad roe

In the shallow shoals English soles do it
Goldfish in privacy of bowls do it
Let’s do it
We’ll do it
Let’s do it
Let’s fall in love

Appeared in the show Paris

156. Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off (1936)

lyrics: Ira Gershwyn

music: George Gershwin 

You say either
And I say either
You say neither
And I say neither
Either, either, neither, neither
Let’s call the whole thing off

You like potatoes
And I like potatoes
You like tomatoes
And I like tomatoes
Potatoes, potatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes
Let’s call the whole thing off

But oh, if we call the whole thing off
Then we must part
And oh, if we ever part
Then that might break my heart

So it you like pajamas and I like pajamas
I’ll wear pajamas and give up pajamas
For we know we need each other
So we’d better call the calling off, off
Let’s call the whole thing off

(bridge)

But oh, if we call the whole thing off
Then we must part
And oh, if we ever part
Then that might break my heart

So if you go for oysters
And I go for oysters
I’ll order oysters and cancel the oysters
For we know we need each other
So we’d better call the calling off, off
Let’s call the whole thing off

 

2nd version

(extended lyrics)

You say either
And I say either
You say neither
And I say neither
Either, either, neither, neither
Let’s call the whole thing off

You like potato
And I like potato
You like tomato
And I like tomato
Potato, potato, tomato, tomato
Let’s call the whole thing off

But oh, if we call the whole thing off
And we must part
And oh, if we ever part
Then that might break my heart

So it you like pajamas and I like pajamas
I’ll wear pajamas and give up pajamas
For we know we need each other
So we’d better call the calling off, off
Let’s call the whole thing off

(bridge)

You say laughter and I say lawfter
You say after and I say awfter
Laughter, lawfter, after, awfter
Let’s call the whole thing off

You like vanilla and I like vanella
You sa’sparilla and I sa’sparella
Vanilla, vanella, chocolate, strawberry
Let’s call the whole thing off

But oh, if we call the whole thing off
Then we must part
And oh, if we ever part then that
Might break my heart

So if you go for oysters and I go for ersters
I’ll order oysters and cancel the ersters
For we know we need each other
So we better call the calling off, off
Let’s call the whole thing off

 

First appeared in the film Shall we Dance? with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers