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.