Lulu
Billy Stritch Lyrics
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Where'd she put my razor blade?
She mislaid it, I'm afraid,
It's gotta be foun'!
Ask her when she cleaned my room
What she did with my perfume;
I just can't lose it,
I've gotta use it,
Gotta get my old tuxedo pressed,
Gotta sew a button on my vest,
'Cause tonight I've gotta look my best,
Lulu's back in town.
Gotta get a half a buck somewhere,
Gotta shine my shoes and slick my hair,
Gotta get myself a boutonniere,
Lulu's back in town.
You can tell all my pets,
All my Harlem coquettes;
Mister Otis regrets
That he won't be aroun'.
You can tell the mailman not to call,
I ain't comin' home until the fall,
And I might not get back home at all,
Lulu's back in town.
You can bet I've got it bad,
Best complaint I've ever had;
We'll be stepping out tonight,
An' struttin', an' how.
We're in for the swellest time,
Finish up without a dime;
Look here, you fellers,
I'll make you jealous,
My Lulu, she's a wow.
Gotta get my old tuxedo pressed,
Gotta sew a button on my vest,
'Cause tonight I've gotta look my best,
Lulu's back in town.
Gotta get a half a buck somewhere,
Gotta shine my shoes and slick my hair,
Gotta get myself a boutonniere,
Lulu's back in town.
You can tell all my pets,
All my blondes and brunettes;
Mister Otis regrets
That he won't be aroun'.
You can tell the mailman not to call,
I ain't comin' home until the fall,
And I might not get back home at all,
Lulu's back in town.
The song "Back in Business" by Billy Stritch is a joyful, upbeat tune that captures the excitement of a man preparing to see his love interest, Lulu, who is returning to town. The lyrics are filled with playful references to grooming, dressing up, and going out on the town. The singer is trying to look his best for Lulu and get everything in order before their big night out.
The song starts with the singer frantically searching for his razor blade that the careless chambermaid misplaced. He is also worried about his perfume, which he must find to impress Lulu. He then goes on to describe the effort he is making to dress up for her. He needs to get his tuxedo pressed, sew a button on his vest, shine his shoes, slick his hair, and get a boutonniere. He wants to look his best for Lulu, and he encourages the others in the room to follow suit.
Line by Line Meaning
Where's that careless chambermaid?
I wonder where the chambermaid who was not paying attention to my shaving equipment is.
Where'd she put my razor blade?
I am curious as to where the chambermaid misplaced my razor blade.
She mislaid it, I'm afraid,
Unfortunately, the blade was put somewhere that is unknown to me.
It's gotta be foun'!
I must find it to be able to shave as my visitor is here.
Ask her when she cleaned my room
It may be helpful to ask the chambermaid when she last serviced my room.
What she did with my perfume;
I need to inquire about where the chambermaid misplaced my fragrance product.
I just can't lose it,
I cannot bear to lose my perfume product and need to locate it immediately.
I've gotta use it,
I must use it now, especially with Lulu arriving in town.
'Cause Lulu's back in town.
Lulu is back in town and I must make sure everything is perfect.
Gotta get my old tuxedo pressed,
I must make sure to iron my tuxedo to make it presentable.
Gotta sew a button on my vest,
I need to stitch a button on my vest that came off.
'Cause tonight I've gotta look my best,
Tonight is an important evening, so I want to make sure I look my finest.
Gotta get a half a buck somewhere,
I need to acquire fifty cents somehow, probably to pay for something associated with Lulu's presence.
Gotta shine my shoes and slick my hair,
I must polish my shoes and style my hair meticulously to be presentable for Lulu.
Gotta get myself a boutonniere,
I must purchase a boutonniere, a floral decoration typically worn on a lapel, to wear for tonight's event.
Lulu's back in town.
Lulu is back in town and I am excited to see her tonight.
You can tell all my pets,
Inform all the people I associate with that I will not be around.
All my Harlem coquettes;
All the women I know in Harlem should be made aware of my current situation.
Mister Otis regrets
Mr. Otis, a character in this story, is sad to inform everyone that he will not be able to stay around for a while.
That he won't be aroun'.
Unfortunately, Mr. Otis cannot stay around for the upcoming event.
You can tell the mailman not to call,
Let the postman know to not attempt to deliver mail as no one will be there to accept it.
I ain't comin' home until the fall,
I am planning to stay away from home until the autumn season.
And I might not get back home at all,
There is a possibility that I may not return home at all.
Lulu's back in town.
I cannot leave town as Lulu is here, and I am looking forward to spending time with her.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: AL DUBIN, HARRY WARREN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind