Darin was a very special and talented entertainer. He was a Grammy award winning singer ('Mack The Knife'), a respected member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ('Dream Lover', 'Splish Splash', 'If I Were A Carpenter') a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, a successful record producer, an Oscar nominated actor and a strong supporter of the American Heart Association. Bobby was married to actress Sandra Dee from 1960-1967. They had one son, Dodd, born in December 1961. As a result of complications from a rheumatic heart, Bobby's life was tragically cut short in 1973.
Darin's mother, Vanina Cassotto, had given birth to him when she was 16, and as a result, her parents raised Darin as though he were their son while Vanina was presented off as his elder sister. Darin did not learn the truth about his parentage until he was 32.
For more on Bobby Darin, watch "Beyond the Sea," in which Kevin Spacey portrays the entertainer.
Standing On The Corner
Bobby Darin Lyrics
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Standing on a corner watching all the girls go by
Brother you don't know a nicer occupation
Matter of fact, neither do I
Than standing on a corner, watching all the girls
Watching all the girls, watching all the girls go by
I haven't got a girl but I can dream
Haven't got a girl but I can wish
So I take me down to main street
And that's where I select my imaginary dish
You find me standing on a corner watching all the girls go by
Hanging around the corner giving all the girls the eye
Brother if you've got a rich imagination
Give it a whirl, give it a try
Try standing on a corner, watching all the girls
Watching all the girls, watching all the girls go by
It's Saturday and I'm so broke, I couldn't buy a girl a five cent pork
Still I'm living like a millionaire when I take me down the main street
And I review the harem parading for me there
Standing on a corner watching all the girls go by
Hanging around the corner underneath the spring time sky
Brother you'll never go to jail for what you're thinking
Or for that look in your eye
Try standing on the corner watching all the girls
Watching all the girls, watching all the girls
"Standing on the Corner" by Bobby Darin is a song about a man who is standing on a street corner and watching all the girls walking by. He acknowledges that it might seem like a shallow pastime, but asserts that there is nothing else he would rather be doing. He claims that he has an active imagination and can imagine himself with any of the girls he sees, even if he is currently without a girlfriend. He insists that there is nothing illegal or morally objectionable about watching the girls, and encourages others to give it a try themselves.
The lyrics of this song can be interpreted in a few different ways. On one hand, they can be seen as a celebration of the joy and excitement of being young and single in a big city. The singer of the song is unencumbered by serious responsibilities or commitments, and he is free to indulge in the simple pleasures of watching beautiful women walk by. On the other hand, the song can also be seen as a somewhat creepy and objectifying portrayal of male desire. The man in the song is reduced to little more than a voyeur, and his appreciation of the girls' beauty is only skin deep.
Line by Line Meaning
Standing on a corner watching all the girls go by
Observing women passing by while being stationed on a street corner
Standing on a corner watching all the girls go by
Observing women passing by while being stationed on a street corner
Brother you don't know a nicer occupation
Watching women is a pleasurable pastime
Matter of fact, neither do I
There is nothing better to do than watch women walk by
Than standing on a corner, watching all the girls
Being on the street corner and watching women is the best activity possible
Watching all the girls, watching all the girls, watching all the girls go by
Continuing to enjoy the sights of women walking by on the street
I'm the cat that's got the cream
I am content and happy with my current situation
I haven't got a girl but I can dream
Although I don't have a lady by my side, I can still imagine being with one
Haven't got a girl but I can wish
Although I don't have a lady by my side, I can still hope for one
So I take me down to main street
I head towards the main thoroughfare in search of a lady
And that's where I select my imaginary dish
I use my imagination to envision spending time with a woman
You find me standing on a corner watching all the girls go by
I am still stationed on the street corner observing women passing by
Hanging around the corner giving all the girls the eye
I am intently looking at each woman that passes by
Brother if you've got a rich imagination
If you have a vivid imagination like mine
Give it a whirl, give it a try
Try standing on the street corner and observing women like I do
Try standing on the corner, watching all the girls
Try being stationed on a street corner and observing women passing by
Watching all the girls, watching all the girls, watching all the girls go by
Continuing to enjoy the sights of women walking by on the street
It's Saturday and I'm so broke, I couldn't buy a girl a five cent pork
I am financially struggling to the point where I cannot afford to treat a lady to even a small item such as a pork sandwich
Still I'm living like a millionaire when I take me down the main street
Despite being financially broke, I feel wealthy when I observe women passing by making me happy
And I review the harem parading for me there
I observe and fantasize about the women I see walking down the street
Brother you'll never go to jail for what you're thinking
You won't get arrested for simply admiring women that pass by
Or for that look in your eye
You won't get arrested for simply having a lustful look in your eyes
Try standing on the corner, watching all the girls
Try being stationed on a street corner and observing women passing by
Watching all the girls, watching all the girls, watching all the girls go by
Continuing to enjoy the sights of women walking by on the street
Contributed by Zoe Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Daniel
on Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home
One heck of a entertainer. A life cut way to soon. RIP Mr. Darin. Remember one thing he was one of the first Emmy winners, in the late 50s. When the emmys started.