What A Little Moonlight Can Do
Billie Holiday and Teddy Wilson & His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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 ยฉ Kanjian Music, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harry Woods
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sscottcass
Amazing recording. First time through Benny Goodman solos on clarinet with wonderful fill and counterpoint by piano. Second time through, no piano, Goodman solos and provides his own fill. Brilliant.
@LindaMerchant-bq2hp
Shes fabulous on this classic and the clarinet
@kathyraygoza3299
One of the best singer songs stylists of any age.
@jamesdoyle7650
And listen to Teddy hustling along on his precise stride.....
@DrJFever-gf7zs
God Bless Lady Day
@Angieeeeeeee
๐ฅ
@phenylphenol
What a fantastic recording.
@scottyd8900
Perfection.... Thanks for the upload... What a beautiful song what talent
@rimbautdevaqueiras4072
I agree with u. That is the perfection !
@baskethistoricalsociety3221
Song is by Harry Woods who also wrote "When the Red, Red, Robin" and "I'm Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover."