What A Little Moonlight Can Do
Billie Holiday; Teddy Wilson & His Orchestra Lyrics


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Ooh, what a little
Moonlight can do
Ooh, what a little moonlight
Can do to you

You're in love
Your hearts fluttering
All day long

You only stutter
'Cause your poor tongue
Just will not utter
The words, I love you

Ooh, what a little
Moonlight can do
Wait a while
Till a little moonbeam
Comes peepin' through

You'll get bored
You can't resist him
And all you'll say
When you have kissed him is




Ooh, what a little
Moonlight can do

Overall Meaning

The song What a Little Moonlight Can Do by Billie Holiday is a jazz classic that was first recorded in 1935. The song is about the power of the moonlight to inspire and transform people in love. Through the lyrics, the singer suggests that moonlight can make lovers feel more romantic and daring than they would otherwise be.


The first verse describes the effect of moonlight on a person in love. The person's heart is fluttering all day long, and they are so infatuated that they can't bring themselves to say "I love you." This is a common experience in the early stages of a relationship, and the moonlight is seen as a catalyst for this romantic feeling.


In the second verse, the singer advises listeners to wait until a little moonbeam comes peeping through the window. When this happens, their feelings will be rekindled, and they will not be able to resist the person they love. All they will say when they kiss that person is "Ooh, what a little moonlight can do." This line suggests that moonlight has the ability to intensify feelings of love and desire.


Overall, the song is a tribute to the transformative power of love and the romantic allure of moonlight.


Line by Line Meaning

Ooh, what a little
The impact of even a small amount of moonlight is surprising


Moonlight can do
Moonlight can influence and change people's emotions


Ooh, what a little moonlight
The smallest amount of moonlight can have a significant impact on you


Can do to you
Moonlight can cause a rush of emotions or feelings towards someone you love


You're in love
You have strong feelings of affection for someone


Your hearts fluttering
You feel excited or nervous around the person you love


All day long
You cannot stop thinking about the person you love


You only stutter
You have difficulty speaking due to overwhelming emotions


'Cause your poor tongue
Your tongue is unable to articulate what you are feeling


Just will not utter
Your tongue cannot form the words you want to say


The words, I love you
You want to express your love for the person but cannot find the words to do so


Wait a while
Take your time


Till a little moonbeam
Until you feel the influence of the moonlight


Comes peepin' through
The moonlight slowly affecting your emotions


You'll get bored
You won't be able to resist your feelings for the person you love


You can't resist him
You are unable to control your emotions towards the person


And all you'll say
You will be unable to articulate what you are feeling


When you have kissed him is
After kissing the person, your emotions intensify and you are unable to express yourself


Ooh, what a little
Even the smallest amount of moonlight can have a huge impact


Moonlight can do
The influence of the moonlight is powerful




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harry Woods

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@1derfullBeast

In 2015 i sang this fine, fast tune at my first little jazz and swing concert, accompanied only by a guitar!😊

@MarieProvost77

Yaas, yes & yes - I have listened to this more times than I can count, it's an old favorite... would love some pix of Billie, tho :)

@auldthymer

I always thought this was the sweetest song.

@elis6299

Swing!

@ThePeaceableKingdom

Of course the music's great - look at the roster of musicians (not to mention the vocalist!).
But those are also awesome photographs! I don't know how you find them, but they're great.

@TheDavejmcknight

Stellar

@IlarioSchanzer

COOOOOOOOL ! 👍👍👍👍

@evacortesborras3236

Je connaissais cette image seulement du grand film de Peter Bogdanovich "paper moon".

@evacortesborras3236

Le nom Atticus me rappelle le film "matar un ruiseñor". Je l'ai vu dans un petit cinéma de Barcelone nommé 'Méliès' , qui n'existe plus.
Il me semble que le dernier film que j'ai vu là-bas a été "Papusza".

@mlaprarie

❤❤❤

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