Johnny One Note
Anita O’Day Lyrics

Johnny could only sing one note
Johnny had limited vocal range and could only produce one note

And the note he sang was this: aaaahh
The only note Johnny sang was a sustained 'aaaahh'

Poor Johnny One Note
Johnny's lack of versatility in singing was unfortunate

Sang out with Gusto
He sang with enthusiasm and energy

And just overloaded the place
His powerful singing overwhelmed the listeners

Yelled willy-nilly
He sang without restraint or control

Until he was blue in the face
He sang so much that he became exhausted

For holding one note was his ace
His ability to sustain a single note was his unique talent

Couldn't hear the brass
The other instruments, like trumpets, were overshadowed by Johnny's singing

Couldn't hear the drum
Even the drums were drowned out by Johnny's vocals

He was in a class
Johnny's singing style was unmatched

By himself, by gum
He stood alone and distinct from any other singer

Got in Aida indeed a great chance to be brave
Johnny had an opportunity to perform in the opera 'Aida', displaying his courage

He took his one note
He used his singular note

Howled like the North Wind
He sang powerfully and passionately, like a strong wind

Brought forth wind that made critics rave
His singing impressed the critics and garnered praise

While Verdi turned round in his grave
His performance was so exceptional that the composer Verdi, buried in his grave, would have been astonished

Couldn't hear the flute
The delicate sound of the flute was overshadowed by Johnny's voice

Or the big trombone
Even the powerful sound of the trombone was drowned out by Johnny's singing

Everyone was mute
All other musicians were silenced by Johnny's dominant presence

Johnny stood alone
Johnny was the sole focus and center of attention

Cats and dogs stopped yapping
Even animals were stunned and stopped making noise

Lions in the zoo
Even the lions in the zoo were envious of Johnny's talent

Were all jealous of Johnny's big thrill
They envied the excitement and admiration that Johnny received

Thunderclaps stopped clapping
Even the thunderous sounds of applause fell silent

Traffic ceased its roar
The usual noise of traffic was hushed

And they tell us Niag'ra stood still
Rumor had it that even the roaring Niagara Falls paused in awe

He stopped the trainwistles
Johnny's impressive singing even caused train whistles to stop sounding

Boatwhistles
The whistles of boats also fell silent

Steamwhistles
Even the powerful steamboat whistles were silenced

Copwhistles
Even the whistles blown by police officers were muted

All whistles bowed to his skill
All types of whistles acknowledged the superiority of Johnny's singing ability

Sing Johnny One Note
Encouragement to Johnny to continue singing his one note

Sing out with gusto
Sing passionately and wholeheartedly

And just overwhelm all the crowd
To dazzle and captivate the entire audience

Aaaahh
The sustained note Johnny sang

So sing, Johnny One Note out loud
An urging for Johnny to confidently sing his one note with full volume

Sing, Johnny One Note
Emphasizing that Johnny should sing his singular note

Sing - Johnny - One Note - Out loud
Sing the note loudly and boldly