A Rainy Night in Rio
Al Jolson & Bing Crosby Lyrics
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Whadda they do when there is no starry sky?
Where do they go when they can't go for a walk?
Do they sit at home and talk,
Or do they sit and sigh, "Aye Aye!"?
Where do they woo on a rainy night in Rio?
How can a guy meet a sweetheart by the sea?
How tender can you get
When you're beneath a wet palm tree?
Whadda they do in Mississippi
When skies are drippy?
And whadda they do when it's murky
In Alberquerque?
And whadda they do in Old Arkoona
When the moon above ain't bright?
Well, that's what they do in Rio
On a rainy night!
But whadda they do when skies are dreary
Along Lake erie?
And whadda they do in St Louis
When nights are dewy?
And whadda they do in Colorado
When a shadow dims the light?
Well, that's what they do in Rio
On a rainy night!
(scat)
Yes, that's what they do in Rio
On a rainy night!
The lyrics of this song depict a questioning of what the people of Rio do on a rainy night. The singer wonders how they spend their time when they cannot go outside for a walk due to the bad weather. They question whether they stay home to talk or sigh in frustration. They also wonder how the people of Rio woo their sweethearts on a rainy night, simply because it seems difficult to do so in the midst of a storm. The lyrics employ humor at the end of the song, as they ask the same questions about other places in America, making it quite clear that the questions are simply rhetorical.
In this song, the singers Al Jolson and Bing Crosby explain the situation in Rio during the time between the two world wars. This song has not only comedic value, but also cultural significance. It talks about the atmosphere of Rio and the struggle of its people in times of bad weather. Some people consider it a love song, as it touches on how people woo their sweethearts in unfavorable conditions. The song also reveals the singers' perceptions of life in America, their own country, as they jokingly suggest that people in other regions behave similarly to those in Rio on a rainy day. In essence, the song permits the listeners to imagine the setting, whether they have been to Rio or not, while the lyrics provide a remarkable seduction of the mind.
Line by Line Meaning
Whadda they do on a rainy night in Rio?
What is there to do when it rains in Rio during the night?
Whadda they do when there is no starry sky?
What do they do when there are no stars visible in the sky?
Where do they go when they can't go for a walk?
If they cannot go for a walk, where else do they go?
Do they sit at home and talk,
Is sitting at home and conversing what they usually do?
Or do they sit and sigh, "Aye Aye!"?
Do they simply sit and sigh as there appears to be no alternative activity?
Where do they woo on a rainy night in Rio?
Where could someone try to court a lover during a rainy night in Rio?
How can a guy meet a sweetheart by the sea?
What is the best way for a gentleman to meet a lady by the sea?
Maybe the girl wants a tender kiss, and yet,
Perhaps the lady desires a gentle kiss, but then again,
How tender can you get
How soft and delicate can it be
When you're beneath a wet palm tree?
When you're below a wet coconut tree.
Whadda they do in Mississippi
What is done in Mississippi
When skies are drippy?
When it's a drizzly day.
And whadda they do when it's murky
What is done when the environment is gloomy
In Alberquerque?
In Albuquerque.
And whadda they do in Old Arkoona
What is done in Old Arkoona
When the moon above ain't bright?
When the brightness of the moon is unavailable
Well, that's what they do in Rio
What occurs elsewhere transpires in Rio
On a rainy night!
On a damp, rainy evening!
But whadda they do when skies are dreary
However, what happens when the skies are dull
Along Lake erie?
On the shore of Lake Erie?
And whadda they do in St Louis
What happens in St Louis
When nights are dewy?
When the environment is damp and covered in dew
And whadda they do in Colorado
What occurs in Colorado
When a shadow dims the light?
When a silhouette obscures the brightness?
Well, that's what they do in Rio
What transpires in Rio in comparable circumstances
On a rainy night!
On a rainy night in Rio!
(scat)
Yes, that's what they do in Rio
Precisely what takes place in Rio
On a rainy night!
On a rainy night in Rio!
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ARTHUR SCHWARTZ, LEO ROBIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind