Hello Dolly!
Barbra Streisand Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hello Rudy, well, hello Harry
It's so nice to be back home where I belong
You are lookin' swell Manny, I can tell Danny
You're still glowin', you're still crowin', you're still goin' strong

I feel the room swayin' for the band's playin'
One of my old favorite songs from way back when
So, bridge that gap, fellas, find me an empty lap, fellas
Dolly'll never go away again

Well, hello Dolly (look who's here)
This is Louis, Dolly (hello Louis)
It's so nice to have you back where you belong (I am so glad to be back)
Ah you're lookin' swell, Dolly (thank you, Louis)
I can tell, Dolly (does it show?)
You're still glowin', you're still crowin' you're still (mmm goin' strong)

I feel the room swayin'
And the band's playin'
One of our old favorite songs from way back when, so (I remember it so, you're my favorite)
Show some snap, fellas, find her an empty lap, yeah (yeah uhm)
Dolly'll never go away again

Well, well hello, Dolly
Well, hello, Dolly
It's so nice to have you back where you belong
You're looking swell, Dolly,(wow)
We can tell, Dolly, (wow)
You're still glowin', you're still crowin'
You're still goin' strong

I hear the ice tinkle (I hear it tinkle)
See the lights twinkle (I see them twinkle)
And you still get glances from us handsome men
So
Mmmm, wow wow wow, fellas
Hey, yeah
Look at the old girl now, fellas (wow)
Dolly'll never go away




Dolly'll never go away
Dolly'll never go away again

Overall Meaning

The song "Hello Dolly!" by Barbra Streisand is a playful and upbeat tune that celebrates the return of Dolly to her hometown. The song opens with Dolly greeting old friends Rudy, Harry, Manny, and Danny, who are all still doing well. She then notes that she can feel the sway of the room, with the band playing one of her favorite songs from years past. As she looks around the room, she asks for the men to find her an empty lap so that she can sit down and enjoy the music.


As the song progresses, Louis enters and greets Dolly, noting that it is so nice to have her back where she belongs. He tells her she looks swell, and Dolly responds with gratitude. As the room grows more festive, Dolly takes notice of the ice tinkling and the lights twinkling, and she continues to soak in the enjoyment of the night.


The tone of the song is celebratory and joyous, as Dolly's return to her hometown is seen as something momentous and exciting. The lyrics reflect this mood, with the repeated refrain of "Dolly'll never go away again" reinforcing the idea that Dolly is back for good.


Line by Line Meaning

Hello Rudy, well, hello Harry
Greetings Rudy, greetings Harry


It's so nice to be back home where I belong
It feels great to be back where I truly belong


You are lookin' swell Manny, I can tell Danny
Manny, you look wonderful, and Danny, you also seem to be doing well


You're still glowin', you're still crowin', you're still goin' strong
You are still vibrant, you are still boasting, you are still thriving


I feel the room swayin' for the band's playin'
The band's music is causing me to feel the room moving


One of my old favorite songs from way back when
One of my all-time favorite songs from many years ago


So, bridge that gap, fellas, find me an empty lap, fellas
Boys, bring me closer to the music, find me a free lap to sit on


Dolly'll never go away again
I will never leave again


Well, hello Dolly (look who's here)
Well, hello Dolly (I've just noticed you)


It's so nice to have you back where you belong (I am so glad to be back)
It feels wonderful to have you back in your rightful place (I'm thrilled to be back)


Ah you're lookin' swell, Dolly (thank you, Louis)
Wow, Dolly, you look fantastic (thanks, Louis)


I can tell, Dolly (does it show?)
I can perceive it, Dolly (do you think it shows?)


You're still glowin', you're still crowin' you're still (mmm goin' strong)
You still exude radiance, you are still unceasingly bragging and you are still strong and thriving


I feel the room swayin' and the band's playin'
I am experiencing the room moving as the band plays


One of our old favorite songs from way back when, so (I remember it so, you're my favorite)
This is one of our beloved songs from many years ago, so (I remember it well, it's one of my favorites)


Show some snap, fellas, find her an empty lap, yeah (yeah uhm)
Boys, be quick and find an available lap for her to sit, yeah (Yeah, I'm agreeing with you)


Dolly'll never go away again
I will never leave again


Well, well hello, Dolly
Wow, hello Dolly


You're looking swell, Dolly,(wow)
You are looking great, Dolly, (amazing)


We can tell, Dolly, (wow)
We can see, Dolly (remarkable)


You're still glowin', you're still crowin'
You still exude radiance, you are still boasting


You're still goin' strong
You are still thriving


I hear the ice tinkle (I hear it tinkle)
I hear the sound of ice clinking (I can hear it)


See the lights twinkle (I see them twinkle)
I see the lights glitter (I can see them)


And you still get glances from us handsome men
You are still catching the attention of us attractive men


Mmmm, wow wow wow, fellas
Mmm, guys, wow


Hey, yeah
Hey, yeah


Look at the old girl now, fellas (wow)
Look at the elderly woman now, guys (amazing)


Dolly'll never go away
I will never leave


Dolly'll never go away
I will never leave


Dolly'll never go away again
I will never leave again




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JERRY HERMAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@aini-aini

Well, hello Dolly (look who's here)
This is Louis, Dolly (hello Louis)
It's so nice to have you back where you belong (I am so glad to be back)
Ah you're lookin' swell, Dolly (thank you, Louis)
I can tell, Dolly (does it show?)
You're still glowin', you're still crowin' you're still (mmm goin' strong)

I feel the room swayin'
And the band's playin'
One of our old favorite songs from way back when, so (I remember it so, you're my favorite)
Show some snap, fellas, find her an empty lap, yeah (yeah uhm)
Dolly'll never go away again

Well, well hello, Dolly
Well, hello, Dolly
It's so nice to have you back where you belong
You're looking swell, Dolly, (wow)
We can tell, Dolly, (wow)
You're still glowin', you're still crowin'
You're still goin' strong

I hear the ice tinkle (I hear it tinkle)
See the lights twinkle (I see them twinkle)
And you still get glances from us handsome men
So
Mmmm, wow wow wow, fellas
Hey, yeah
Look at the old girl now, fellas (wow)
Dolly'll never go away 
Dolly'll never go away 
Dolly'll never go away again



All comments from YouTube:

@gramarson9562

When Louis Armstrong turned around I screamed. By far one of my favorite cameos. Can’t beat Ol’ Satchmo!

@dynocrafts7383

By the way, it's Louie Armstrong. I think. Hehe.

@jimswonger8111

I really like him in The Five Pennies too! He and Danny Kaye are great together.

@gramarson9562

@H S oh shit I just noticed HAHAHA

@rayva1

Legendary

@danadumitrescu2400

@Dyno Crafts ăăaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

3 More Replies...

@christiankrenek7689

Such a wonderful tribute to Louis Armstrong! To those who don’t know: “Satchmo’s” recording of “Hello, Dolly!” was the biggest seller of his career, and even dethroned The Beatles from the top of the charts at the height of their popularity in the 60’s. The filmmakers gave him this cameo in tribute to his cover of the song. Armstrong would die two years after the movie came out. Thank you for your music, Louis—you’re leading the band in Heaven now. :)

@edwardnashen5960

And Streisand is charming with him.

@DanTheMan27

Most underrated Streisand musical hands down. Such a wonderful movie

@chillin127

Hello Dolly underrated!!!
I don’t think so.
3 academy awards and nominated for best film.

More Comments

More Versions