People
Bud Shank/Chet Baker Lyrics
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Why do the neighbors chatter all day, behind their doors?
I know a way to prove what they say is quite untrue.
Here is the gist, a practical list of "donts" for you.
Don't throw bouquets at me
Don't please my folks too much
Don't laugh at my jokes too much
Don't sigh and gaze at me
Your sighs are so like mine
Your eyes mustn't glow like mine
People will say we're in love!
Don't start collecting things
Give me my rose and my glove.
Sweetheart they're suspecting things
People will say we're in love.
Don't praise my charm too much
Don't look so vain with me
Don't stand in the rain with me
People will say we're in love!
Don't take my arm too much
Don't keep your hand in mine
Your hand feels so grand in mine
People will say we're in love!
Don't dance all night with me
Till the stars fade from above.
They'll see it's alright with me
People will say we're in love.
The lyrics to Bud Shank/Chet Baker's song People describe a struggle faced by two people who are worried about what others might say when they spend time together. The first two lines set the stage for this struggle, "Why do they think up stories that link my name with yours? Why do the neighbors chatter all day, behind their doors?" The singer implies that others might be assuming something that is not true. The lyrics then move on to suggest practical ways to keep the public from believing these rumors.
The chorus is a list of things the two people should avoid doing, such as throwing bouquets, laughing too much, sighing and gazing too much, and standing in the rain together. The idea is that if they behave in ways that suggest they are not in love, then people won't talk. In the second verse, the singer tells his love interest that she shouldn't collect things, but rather stick to her glove and rose. The final verse is the most optimistic, suggesting that if they are careful, they can indeed dance all night together, and people won't say anything.
Overall, the song is a commentary on the pressure that society puts on people to look and behave a certain way. The lyrics suggest that even if two people are genuinely in love, they face scrutiny and judgment from those around them. The song highlights the importance of conforming to societal norms and avoiding behaviors that might invite gossip.
Line by Line Meaning
Why do they think up stories that link my name with yours?
Why do people make up tales that connect us?
Why do the neighbors chatter all day, behind their doors?
What makes the neighbors gab non-stop behind closed doors?
I know a way to prove what they say is quite untrue.
I have a plan to demonstrate that the rumors are false.
Don't throw bouquets at me
Don't shower me with flowers
Don't please my folks too much
Don't try too hard to win over my family
Don't laugh at my jokes too much
Don't laugh excessively at my jokes
People will say we're in love!
Otherwise, people may assume we have romantic feelings for one another
Don't sigh and gaze at me
Don't look at me longingly and let out a deep breath
Your sighs are so like mine
Our sighs are too similar
Your eyes mustn't glow like mine
Keep your eyes from shining like mine do
Don't start collecting things
Don't accumulate possessions together
Give me my rose and my glove.
Just give me my basic belongings
Sweetheart they're suspecting things
Honey, people are becoming suspicious
People will say we're in love.
People could assume that we're head-over-heels for one another
Don't praise my charm too much
Don't compliment me too extravagantly
Don't look so vain with me
Don't stand next to me, projecting a conceited attitude
Don't stand in the rain with me
Don't dally with me outdoors in rainy weather
Don't take my arm too much
Don't hold onto my arm all the time
Don't keep your hand in mine
Don't interlock our fingers excessively
Your hand feels so grand in mine
However, I must admit that I love how our hands feel intertwined
People will say we're in love!
Others will wrongly assume we're romantically involved if we keep up these behaviors
Don't dance all night with me
Don't spend the entire evening dancing with me
Till the stars fade from above.
Until the sky gets bright with the sunrise
They'll see it's alright with me
But it's fine by me
People will say we're in love.
Still, people will speculate we're head-over-heels for one another
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Oscar Hammerstein Ii, Richard Rodgers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind