Where Have You Been
Bud Freeman and His Orchestra Lyrics
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You must have been a wonderful child
When you were only starting to go to kindergarten
I bet you drove the little boys wild
And when it came to winning blue ribbons
You must have shown the other kids how
I can see the judges' eyes as they handed you the prize
I bet you made the cutest bow
'Cause baby look at you now
Does your mother realize
The stork delivered quite a prize
The day he left you on the family tree?
Does your dad appreciate
That you're merely super great
The miracle of any century?
If they don't just send them both to me
You must have been a beautiful baby
You must have been a wonderful child
When you were only starting to go to kindergarten
I bet you drove the little boys wild
And when it came to winning blue ribbons
You must have shown the other kids how
I can see the judges' eyes as they handed you the prize
I bet you made the cutest bow
Oh you must've been a beautiful baby
'Cause baby look at you now
The lyrics of "Where Have You Been" by Bud Freeman and His Orchestra depict a nostalgic and admiring reflection on the beauty and charm of someone in their early years. The song begins by suggesting that the person being referred to must have been a lovely baby and an amazing child. They are described as captivating the attention of others, particularly the opposite sex, even when they were just starting kindergarten. This creates an image of a young individual who possessed a natural allure and had a profound impact on those around them.
The lyrics then shift focus to the person's parents, questioning whether they truly comprehend the extraordinary nature of their child. The song suggests that the person's mother may not fully understand what a special gift she has been blessed with, comparing their arrival to a stork delivering a prized possession. Similarly, the lyrics ask if the person's father truly appreciates their greatness, labeling them as a marvel of the century. The song implies that if the parents fail to see the remarkable qualities in their child, they should send them to the singer instead, highlighting the singer's appreciation for the person's uniqueness.
Returning to the initial theme of the person's beauty and talent, the lyrics reiterate that they must have been a stunning baby and a remarkable child. The song suggests that the person not only captured attention but also excelled in various activities, potentially winning blue ribbons and standing out among their peers. The lyrics envision the admiration of judges and the person's ability to make a charming bow after receiving accolades. This reinforces the idea that their attractiveness and talent were apparent from a young age, emphasizing their present-day allure and accomplishments.
The lyrics conclude by repeating the statement that the person must have been a beautiful baby, expressing awe at their current state. The repeated phrase "baby look at you now" signifies the singer's amazement and admiration for how the person has grown and thrived over time. Overall, "Where Have You Been" celebrates the allure and achievements of an individual who possessed natural beauty, talent, and charm in their early years, and continues to flourish in the present.
Line by Line Meaning
You must have been a beautiful baby
You were undoubtedly an incredibly attractive and captivating infant
You must have been a wonderful child
You must have been an extraordinary and delightful young individual
When you were only starting to go to kindergarten
Even during your early days at kindergarten, you had a remarkable impact
I bet you drove the little boys wild
I'm certain that you drove the young boys into a state of excitement and fascination
And when it came to winning blue ribbons
In matters of securing achievements and accolades
You must have shown the other kids how
You undoubtedly demonstrated to the other children how to excel and succeed
I can see the judges' eyes as they handed you the prize
In my mind's eye, I can vividly envision the judges' gaze upon you as they presented you with the award
I bet you made the cutest bow
I'm willing to wager that your gracious and adorable actions when receiving the prize were endearing
Oh you must've been a beautiful baby
Undoubtedly, you were an incredibly attractive and captivating infant
'Cause baby look at you now
Because just look at what an amazing person you have become
Does your mother realize
Is your mother aware
The stork delivered quite a prize
That you were a remarkable gift brought by the stork
The day he left you on the family tree?
When the stork placed you within the family lineage
Does your dad appreciate
Does your father acknowledge and value
That you're merely super great
The fact that you are incredibly outstanding
The miracle of any century?
Are you considered a prodigious marvel of the current era?
If they don't just send them both to me
If your parents fail to appreciate your magnificence, they should simply dispatch them to me
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Thomas William Dunn, John H. Mercer, Harry Warren
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind