Alma Cogan was Britain's most successful female recording artist of the 195… Read Full Bio ↴Alma Cogan was Britain's most successful female recording artist of the 1950's. Born in London in 1932, her early recordings were mainly ballads, in the style of Anne Shelton. But by 1954, this was to all change. Her first major hit was "Bell Bottom Blues", and she scored her only number one in Britain with "Dreamboat" in 1956. Novelty songs were extremely popular at the time, and Alma recorded a number of these, including "I Can't Tell A Waltz From A Tango", "Twenty Tiny Fingers" and "Never Do A Tango With An Eskimo". She was known for the giggle in her voice when she sang and was affectinaltely known as The Girl With A Laugh In Her Voice. Her extravagant dresses were also a trademark. Her final UK hit was "Cowboy Jimmy Joe" in 1961, but was fast becoming an International Artist, with hits in Sweden, Germany, Israel and Japan - she had a number one hit in Japan with "Just Couldn't Resist Her With Her Pocket Transistor" which was at the top spot for over six months. As the novelty numbers were fast becoming old-fashioned by the start of the 1960s, she recorded a number of jazz standards and pop records, including five songs written by the Beatles - these recordings can be found on a number of CDs. Famed for her showbiz parties, with guests like Cary Grant, Noel Coward and the Beatles, she was never out of the public eye until ovarian cancer tragically cut her career short. She died on the 26th October 1966, aged just 34.

Willie Can
Alma Cogan Lyrics

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Hey Willie

Willie can you cook? Can you cook? Hey Willie
Willie can you save a dollar bill?
Willie can you sew? Can you sew? Hey Willie
Willie can you give a girl a thrill?

Willie can you ride a black-eyed stallion?

Willie can you fight a bear?
Willie can you love? Can you love? Oh Willie
Willie will you braid my hair?

Willie can you do the things I ask you?
Willie can you do them true?
Willie can, Willie can, Willie can, fair lady
If Willie takes a shine to you

Oh, Willie can you dance? Can you prance? Hey Willie
Willie can you take me to the fair?
Willie there's a moon, there's a moon, oh Willie
Willie will you say you care?

Willie can you dig a hole to China?
Willie can you climb a tree?
Willie can you kiss? Can you kiss? Oh Willie
Willie will you please kiss me?

Willie can you do the things I ask you?
Willie can you do them true?
Willie can, Willie can, Willie can, fair lady
If Willie takes a shine to you

Oh, Willie can you run? Can you run? Oh Willie
Willie can you catch a honey bee?
Willie can you sing? Can you sing? Oh Willie
Willie will you sing to me?

Willie can you try to swim the Channel?
Willie can you fly a kite?
Willie are you bold? Can you hold me Willie?
Willie will you squeeze me tight?

Willie can you do the things I ask you?
Willie can you do them true?
Willie can, Willie can, Willie can, fair lady
If Willie takes a shine to you

Willie can you do the things I ask you?
Willie can you do them true?

Willie can, Willie can, Willie can, fair lady
If Willie takes a shine to you

Overall Meaning

The song "Willie Can" by Alma Cogan seems to be a playful inquiry into the abilities of a potential partner. The singer seems to be asking Willie if he can do various tasks such as cook, save money, sew, ride a horse, and love. The repeated phrase "Willie can" suggests that Willie is capable of doing all these tasks if he takes a liking to the singer. The singer also asks Willie if he can dance, take them to the fair, and express his feelings. The playful tone continues as the singer asks if Willie can dig a hole to China, swim the Channel, and catch a honey bee.

This song can be interpreted as a lighthearted attempt to get to know someone better by asking about their skills and interests. However, there may be a hint of skepticism in the repeated phrase "if Willie takes a shine to you." This could suggest that the singer is unsure if Willie is really capable of all these things, and is only willing to believe it if he shows an interest in the singer. Overall, "Willie Can" is a cheerful and whimsical song that showcases Alma Cogan's playful style and charm.

Line by Line Meaning

Hey Willie
The singer addresses Willie with a number of questions and requests.

Willie can you cook? Can you cook? Hey Willie
The singer asks if Willie knows how to cook food.

Willie can you save a dollar bill?
The singer asks if Willie can save money instead of spending it all.

Willie can you sew? Can you sew? Hey Willie
The singer asks if Willie has the skill to sew clothes.

Willie can you give a girl a thrill?
The singer asks if Willie can excite and make a girl happy.

Willie can you ride a black-eyed stallion?
The singer asks if Willie can ride a horse with black eyes.

Willie can you fight a bear?
The singer asks if Willie can fight against a bear, which is known to be a dangerous animal.

Willie can you love? Can you love? Oh Willie
The singer asks if Willie is capable of loving a girl.

Willie will you braid my hair?
The singer seeks Willie's help in braiding her hair.

Willie can you do the things I ask you?
The singer once again asks Willie if he can do the tasks she asks of him.

Willie can you do them true?
The singer wants to know if Willie can do those tasks honestly and properly.

Willie can, Willie can, Willie can, fair lady If Willie takes a shine to you
The singer affirms that Willie is capable of doing the tasks if he likes the girl and takes an interest in her.

Oh, Willie can you dance? Can you prance? Hey Willie
The singer asks if Willie can dance and move around gracefully.

Willie can you take me to the fair?
The singer requests Willie to take her to a fair or festival.

Willie there's a moon, there's a moon, oh Willie Willie will you say you care?
The singer tells Willie that there is a moon and asks him to express his feelings and show that he cares for her.

Willie can you dig a hole to China?
The singer makes an extraordinary request, asking if Willie can dig a hole to China, which is impossible.

Willie can you climb a tree?
The singer asks if Willie can climb a tree.

Willie can you kiss? Can you kiss? Oh Willie
The singer asks Willie if he knows how to kiss a girl.

Willie will you please kiss me?
The singer requests Willie to kiss her.

Willie can you try to swim the Channel?
The singer asks if Willie can try to swim across the English Channel, which is a difficult and challenging feat to accomplish.

Willie can you fly a kite?
The singer asks if Willie can fly a kite, which is a fun activity.

Willie are you bold? Can you hold me Willie? Willie will you squeeze me tight?
The singer asks Willie if he is courageous and can hold her tightly in his arms.

Willie can you do the things I ask you?
The singer repeats her request to Willie.

Willie can you do them true?
The singer wants Willie to ensure that he performs the tasks properly and with honesty.

Willie can, Willie can, Willie can, fair lady If Willie takes a shine to you
The singer reiterates that Willie is capable of doing the tasks if he likes the girl and shows an interest in her.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRYANT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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