On a Slow Boat to China
Bette Midler/ Barry Manilow Lyrics
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Thank you, Miss M
Whatcha doin' these days?
Makin' records
Really?
Yes, really
Do you still play piano for people?
Hmm, I'm gonna get you
On a slow boat to China
All to myself alone
Get you and keep you
In my arms evermore
Leave all the others
Waitin' on a faraway shore
Out on the briny
Where the moon's
Big and shiny
Meltin' your heart of stone
I'm gonna get you
On a slow boat to China
All to myself alone
Bette, I didn't know
You felt that way about me
I don't, I need a piano player
Ah, just like the old days
You're not gonna change keys
On me are yah? Uh huh, oh
I'm gonna get you
(You're never gonna get me)
On a slow boat to China
(Not in a fast or slow boat at any crick)
All to myself alone
(I just get motion sick)
I'm gonna make you mine
(Ha, you'll have to stand in line)
Get you and keep you
In my band evermore
(Now there's a new attack)
Leave all the others on the shore
(For me they'd swim to China)
(To China and back)
Out on the briny
(I wouldn't like the ocean)
Where the moon's big and shiny
(Not even in a rowboat)
Melting your heart of stone
Come on what do yah say?
(You always get your way)
I'm gonna get you
On a slow boat to China
All to myself alone, together
All to myself alone
These lyrics are from Bette Midler's song, On a Slow Boat to China. In the beginning, she is having a conversation with Manilla, asking him what he has been doing lately. Manilla mentions that he has been making records but still plays the piano for certain people, depending on who they are. Bette responds and says that she wants to take him on a slow boat to China, all to herself alone. She wants to keep him in her arms forever and leave everyone else waiting on a faraway shore. She describes the beauty of being out on the briny where the moon is big and shiny, and how it can melt one's heart of stone. Manilla is surprised to hear that Bette wants to take him on this trip and asks if she feels that way about him. Bette clarifies that she just needs a piano player, but relishes the idea of taking him on this adventure.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, nice piano playin', Manilla
Bette Midler compliments the piano player Manilla for his excellent musical performance
Thank you, Miss M
Manilla thanks Bette Midler for her kind words
Whatcha doin' these days?
Bette Midler inquires about Manilla's recent activities
Makin' records
Manilla responds that he is busy producing records
Really?
Bette Midler expresses her surprise to Manilla's answer
Yes, really
Manilla confirms that he is indeed producing records
Do you still play piano for people?
Bette Midler asks whether Manilla still performs live for audiences
Well, depends on who
Manilla answers that it depends on the person and circumstance
Hmm, I'm gonna get you
Bette Midler playfully threatens to take Manilla away with her
On a slow boat to China
Bette Midler suggests a romantic journey to the distant land of China with Manilla
All to myself alone
Bette Midler desires to have Manilla all to herself and no one else
Get you and keep you
Bette Midler expresses her desire to capture Manilla's heart forever
In my arms evermore
Bette Midler wants to hold Manilla in her loving embrace indefinitely
Leave all the others
Bette Midler intends to leave behind any competition or rivals for Manilla's affections
Waitin' on a faraway shore
Bette Midler imagines others waiting longingly for Manilla's return, but to no avail
Out on the briny
Bette Midler envisions being on the open sea with Manilla
Where the moon's big and shiny
Bette Midler describes the romantic and breathtaking atmosphere of their voyage
Meltin' your heart of stone
Bette Midler believes that even a cold-hearted person will be won over by their journey
Bette, I didn't know
Manilla is surprised by Bette Midler's sudden confession
You felt that way about me
Manilla is shocked that Bette Midler has romantic feelings for him
I don't, I need a piano player
Bette Midler clarifies that she only desires Manilla's musical talent, not his love
Ah, just like the old days
Manilla reminisces about their past collaborations and interactions
You're not gonna change keys
Manilla playfully suggests that Bette Midler should not change her mind or intentions
On me are yah? Uh huh, oh
Manilla persists in his teasing of Bette Midler
You're never gonna get me
Manilla denies Bette Midler's previous romantic proposal
Not in a fast or slow boat at any crick
Manilla firmly refuses Bette Midler's suggestion of a romantic journey together
I just get motion sick
Manilla provides a humorous excuse for not wanting to travel by boat
Ha, you'll have to stand in line
Manilla suggests that Bette Midler is not the only one vying for his affection or attention
I'm gonna make you mine
Bette Midler declares her intention to win Manilla's love
In my band evermore
Bette Midler desires for Manilla to be a permanent member of her musical group
Now there's a new attack
Manilla is amused by Bette Midler's perseverance in her pursuit of him
For me they'd swim to China
Bette Midler feels confident that others would be willing to do anything for her sake
To China and back
Bette Midler emphasizes the great lengths others would go for her
I wouldn't like the ocean
Manilla dislikes the idea of being on the open sea
Not even in a rowboat
Manilla clarifies that he would not even want to travel by a small boat
Come on what do yah say?
Bette Midler persistently asks Manilla to reconsider her proposal
You always get your way
Manilla acknowledges Bette Midler's tendency to get what she wants
All to myself alone, together
Bette Midler hopes to be alone with Manilla, yet still close and intimate with him
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: FRANK LOESSER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-ko9sf9kx6o
Barry...You look so great in this one. You are not so painfully thin and you have regular clothes on, but now you don't eat and you don't sleep. I know you love your career, but we are not young anymore. We should both take better care of ourselves. Love this duet with Bette !!!!!!!!!! The Dancing Queen BB 1965
@kriskringle2274
You KNOW this is a special performance when you see ALBERT EINSTEIN in the audience!
@jamesmcinnis208
He seemed distracted. I think he was cooking up a new scientific formula.
@beckettmaupin
Ya, who was that man?
@AndreinaGarban
🤣🤣🤣
@thedailydaughter
Perfection
@njplr
Catchy melody, witty lyrics, joyful performance...sigh. THIS is music and THIS is talent. Full props!
@user-ko9sf9kx6o
So good. I love this one so much. The old song was great with you and Bette singing it. Thanks Barry and Bette for sharing this.......BB
@user-ko9sf9kx6o
I love you and Bette together. The two of you are great and I could listen to this 10 times in a row............Give us more......BB
@user-ko9sf9kx6o
OK, Manila like Bette calls you. This is one that I can just keep listening to. You and Bette are super together........................Betsy