He's a Tramp
Peggy Lee Lyrics
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What a dog
He's a tramp, but I love him
Breaks a new heart every day
He's a tramp, they adore him
And I only hope he'll stay that way
He's a tramp, he's a scoundrel
He's a rounder, he's a cad
He's a tramp, but I love him
Yes, even I have got it pretty bad
You can never tell when he'll show up
He gives you plenty of trouble
I guess he's just a no 'count pup
But I wish that he were double
He's a tramp, he's a rover
And there's nothing more to say
If he's a tramp, he's a good one
And I wish that I could travel his way
Wish that I could travel his way
Wish that I could travel his way
Peggy Lee's song "He's a Tramp" is a love song for a man who is a bit of a rogue. The lyrics paint a picture of a man who is constantly wandering, breaking hearts left and right, and causing trouble wherever he goes. Despite all of this, the singer confesses that she loves him anyway, and hopes that he never changes.
The lyrics of the song are filled with contradictions. The singer describes the man as a tramp, a scoundrel, a rounder, and a cad, all negative terms that suggest he is not someone to be admired. However, in the next breath, she says that she loves him and that others adore him. It's clear that the man has a certain charisma and allure that makes it difficult for others to resist him, even if he is causing them pain.
The final lines of the song suggest that the singer is jealous of the man's freedom and independence. She wishes that she could "travel his way," which implies that she is tired of her own mundane existence and longs for the excitement and adventure that the man seems to have. Overall, "He's a Tramp" is a song about the complexities of love and the attraction we sometimes feel to those who are not the best for us.
Line by Line Meaning
What a dog
What a rascal
What a dog
What a rascal
He's a tramp, but I love him
He's a lovable rogue, and I love him despite his flaws
Breaks a new heart every day
He breaks someone's heart each day, never sticking around for long
He's a tramp, they adore him
People love the idea of a carefree, wild spirit like him
And I only hope he'll stay that way
I hope he never changes, never settles down
He's a tramp, he's a scoundrel
He's a rogue, a cheat, a womanizer
He's a rounder, he's a cad
He's a smooth-talking, charming man who uses his charm to get what he wants
He's a tramp, but I love him
I can't help but love him, despite all of the bad things he does
Yes, even I have got it pretty bad
I am also under his spell, despite knowing that he's no good for me
You can never tell when he'll show up
He's unpredictable and comes and goes as he pleases
He gives you plenty of trouble
He causes a lot of problems and drama
I guess he's just a no 'count pup
I suppose he's just a worthless dog
But I wish that he were double
But I wish I could have more of him, even though he's not good for me
He's a tramp, he's a rover
He's a wanderer, never staying in one place for too long
And there's nothing more to say
There's nothing else to add, he is who he is
If he's a tramp, he's a good one
If he's going to be a rogue, he might as well be a good one
And I wish that I could travel his way
I wish I could be carefree and independent like him
Wish that I could travel his way
I wish I could experience the same freedom he has
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Sonny Burke, Peggy Lee
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@BeruBeruIce
You know a character is special when she's named after the person who voices her in both talking and singing version.
@Princess_Cheese
She also wrote most of the songs in this movie. She came up with this one when the movie was almost finished. Everyone liked it so much they created a new character specifically to sing it
@missvidabom
You know the person is special when they name a character after her and she is her voice.
@somethingwithbungalows
Same with José Carioca being named after his own voice actor José “Carioca” lol
@maritapinkstaff3199
Whoa, thanks for this. I have loved Peggy Lee for years and Lady and the Tramp was a favorite when I was little. Your comment makes me so happy and I can't wait to revisit both@@Princess_Cheese
@buggywuggy69
8@@missvidabom
@Sweet_Dee
As a little kid, I ADORED Peg and this song. I understood the general message but I didn't know what some words like "rounder" and "cad" meant. I remember thinking she says "he's a cat," which to me, seemed like a pretty good diss coming from a dog, especially because of how cats are portrayed in the movie 😹
@rebeccamiller9558
I remember being about 5 and my mom saying that the tramp dates all the ladies but never marries them. Thats why they call him a cad.
@Narakmakmak83
me too hahaha
@ShazanFoxBox
Omigosh it wasn't just me!!