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