On A Slow Boat To China
Bette Midler Lyrics

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