Shipoopi
Buddy Hackett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well a woman who'll kiss on the very first date
Is usually a hussy.
And a woman who'll kiss on the second time out
Is anything but fussy.
But a woman who waits 'til the third time around,
Head in the clouds, feet on the ground!
She's the girl he's glad he's found--she's his
Boys:
The girl who's hard to get!
Marcellus:
Shi-Poo-Pi!
Shi-Poo-Pi
Shi-Poo-Pi
Girls:
But you can win her yet.
Marcellus::
Walk her once just to raise the curtain,
Walk around twice and you make for certain.
Once more in the flower garden,
She will never get sore
If you beg her pardon.
All:
Do re me fa so la si
Do si la sol fa mi re do
Marcellus:
Squeeze her once when she isn't lookin',
If you get a squeeze back, that's fancy cookin',
Once more for a pepper-upper,
She will never get sore on her way to supper.
All:
Do re me fa sol la si
Do si do
Marcellus:
Shi-Poo-Pi!
Shi-Poo-Pi!
Shi-Poo-Pi!
Boys:
The girl who's hard to get.
Marcellus:
Shi-Poo-Pi!
Shi-Poo-Pi!
Shi-Poo-Pi!
Girls:
But you can win her yet.
All:
Shi-Poo-Pi, Shi-Poo-Pi, Shi-Poo-Pi!
The girl who's hard to get.
Shi-Poo-Pi,
Shi-Poo-Pi, Shi-Poo-Pi, but you can win her yet.
You can win her yet!
Shi-Poo-Pi!
In the Broadway musical The Music Man, Marcellus gives a song and dance routine to the main character, Harold Hill, about winning over a hard-to-get girl called Shi-Poo-Pi. He explains that a woman who kisses on the first date is a "hussy," and a woman who kisses on the second date is "anything but fussy." However, a woman who waits until the third date is the one to win over. Marcellus advises Harold to walk with her once, twice, and then take her to the flower garden, where she won't get angry if he accidentally steps on a flower. Later, he says to Harold to "Squeeze her once when she isn't lookin'," and if she squeezes back, that means her feelings are mutual. The song ends with everyone singing "Shi-Poo-Pi!" in unison, emphasizing the importance of winning over this particular woman.
Line by Line Meaning
Well a woman who'll kiss on the very first date
Is usually a hussy.
A woman who's quick to give affection on the first date is likely promiscuous.
And a woman who'll kiss on the second time out
Is anything but fussy.
A woman who's eager to kiss on the second date is open to romance.
But a woman who waits 'til the third time around,
Head in the clouds, feet on the ground!
She's the girl he's glad he's found--she's his
Shi-Poo-Pi! Shi-Poo-Pi! Shi-Poo-Pi! Shi-Poo-Pi!
A woman who values a deeper connection and isn't quick to give her heart and body to someone is the type of girl a man wants to pursue and win over.
The girl who's hard to get!
This type of woman is not easily won over and requires effort on the part of the pursuer.
Walk her once just to raise the curtain,
Walk around twice and you make for certain.
Once more in the flower garden,
She will never get sore
If you beg her pardon.
Take her on a walk to start things off, and then go for another stroll - this time it shows her there's potential between you two. Then stop and enjoy the garden together. If you accidentally step on her foot, apologizing will go a long way.
Squeeze her once when she isn't lookin',
If you get a squeeze back, that's fancy cookin',
Once more for a pepper-upper,
She will never get sore on her way to supper.
When she's not looking, give her a gentle hug, and if she hugs back, that's a good sign. Then give her another squeeze to keep the affection going. This type of woman will appreciate small gestures like this on the way to dinner.
Shi-Poo-Pi, Shi-Poo-Pi, Shi-Poo-Pi!
The girl who's hard to get.
Shi-Poo-Pi,
Shi-Poo-Pi, Shi-Poo-Pi, but you can win her yet.
You can win her yet!
Shi-Poo-Pi!
Overall, the song's message is to respect and pursue a woman who's not quick to give affection, but who is worth the effort to pursue and win over.
Contributed by Nathan S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.