Goody-Goody
Benny Goodman Benny Goodman and His Orchestra & Helen Ward Lyrics
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Goody goody
So you met someone and now you know how it feels
Goody goody
So you gave him your heart too, just as I gave mine to you
And he broke it in little pieces, now how do you do
So you lie awake just singin' the blues all night
So you think that love's a barrel of dynamite
Hooray and hallelujah, you had it coming to ya
Goody goody for him, goody goody for me
And I hope you're satisfied you rascal you
The song "Goody Goody" by Benny Goodman is a classic swing tune, popular in the 1930s. The lyrics depict a bitter lover who is mocking their ex-lover for experiencing heartbreak after they themselves were betrayed. The opening lines, "So you met someone who set you back on your heels, Goody goody," suggest that the ex-lover has fallen for someone new and is now experiencing the same pain they inflicted. The repetition of "Goody goody" throughout the song serves as a sarcastic commentary on the ex-lover's misfortune.
The second verse emphasizes the irony of the situation, as the ex-lover has suffered the same fate they inflicted upon the singer - "So you gave him your heart too, just as I gave mine to you, and he broke it in little pieces, now how do you do?" The singer takes pleasure in the fact that their ex is now "singing the blues all night," and sarcastically cheers, "Hooray and hallelujah, you had it coming to ya." The final lines of the song, "Goody goody for him, goody goody for me, and I hope you're satisfied you rascal you," express the singer's satisfaction in seeing their ex get their comeuppance.
Overall, the lyrics of "Goody Goody" depict a bitter and vengeful narrator who is enjoying the downfall of their ex-lover. It is a classic example of swing-era sarcasm and wit.
Line by Line Meaning
So you met someone who set you back on your heels
You fell in love with someone who swept you off your feet.
Goody goody
I'm glad for you.
So you met someone and now you know how it feels
You understand the feelings of love since you have found someone special.
Goody goody
I am happy for you.
So you gave him your heart too, just as I gave mine to you
You gave your love to him as you did to me earlier.
And he broke it in little pieces, now how do you do
He shattered your heart into tiny pieces, how are you going to cope up now?
So you lie awake just singin' the blues all night
You are just lying in bed in sadness, singing the blues all night due to the pain.
Goody goody
I am happy for you.
So you think that love's a barrel of dynamite
You think love is explosive and dangerous.
Hooray and hallelujah, you had it coming to ya
You deserved what happened to you, and therefore, it is time for celebration.
Goody goody for him, goody goody for me
I am happy for both of you.
And I hope you're satisfied you rascal you
I genuinely hope that you are happy, you cheater.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, PAT MALNECK GREEN DBA MATTY MALNECK MUSIC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Cloud9, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Johnny Mercer, Matt Malneck
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gyeongjeong9682
So you met someone who
Set you back on your heels,
Goody goody!
So you met someone and
Now you know how it feels,
Goody goody!
So you gave him your heart too,
Just as I gave mine to you,
And he broke it in little pieces,
And now how do you do?
So you lie awake
Just singing the blues all night,
Goody goody!
So you think that love's a
Barrel of dynamite,
Hurray and hallelujah!
You had it coming to ya,
Goody goody for him,
Goody goody for me,
And I hope you're satisfied
You rascal you... hey!
@moniquezhang1660
I’m 22 years old, jazz pianist. Benny Good man’s swing classics gave me a great influence on my improv (I play stride piano, standard swing and early jazz styles). Young generations should listen to these vintage classics!
@inkoinfinity2
I'm a few years older but I'm still young and love music such as this
@SirParcifal
my grandparents introduced me to their music - The Greatest Generation and still going!
@Nytblade
It's actually called the "Lost Generation" up to 1936.
@obiej17
Im 35 and love so much about all classics. Not just the music. Lets keep it alive. Share with friends. Put in ur playlists etc. Thanks for upload!
@moniquezhang1660
I agree. Unfortunately These music doesn’t have a lot of audiences and disappearing. There are always beauties in vintage classics, great big bands and soloists …
@TwangGuru
Benny Goodman was a great musician... his solos are all worth study by all musicians. They're paradigms of melodic construction.
@Trombonology
"Please don't make me sing that damn song!" was the great Helen Ward's reaction to this catchy, insistent ditty. Johnny Mercer had seen "goody goody" on a menu in a Chinese restaurant and jotted it down, for future use. Was Helen pleasantly surprised or very sorry when this trifle turned out to be a big hit? In any case, she concealed her lack of enthusiasm most convincingly in this superb vocal.
@swingman5635
That's funny! This is one of my favorites from a long list of Helen's vocals. Just goes to show you,what may seem sublime to us, could be torture to the artist.
@Trombonology
@Swingman 56 So true! I think it's a cute and clever tune, but it may have seemed too much of a novelty to Helen.