If You Knew Susie
Cantor Eddie Lyrics
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In the words of Shakespeare she's a "wow"
Though all of you may know her, too
I'd like to shout right now
Suzie has a perfect reputation
No one ever saw her on a spree
Nobody knows where Susie goes
If you knew Susie, like I know Susie
Oh! Oh! Oh! What a girl
There's none so classy
As this fair lassie
Oh! Oh! Holy Moses, what a chassis
We went riding, she didn't balk
Back from Yonkers
I'm the one that had to walk
If you knew Susie, like I know Susie
Oh! Oh! What a girl!
If you knew Susie, like I know Susie
Oh! Oh! Oh! What a girl
She wears long tresses
And nice tight dresses
Oh! Oh!
What a future she possesses
Out in public
How she can yawn
In a parlour, you would think the war was on
If you knew Susie, like I know Susie
Oh! Oh! What a girl!
The lyrics to Cantor Eddie’s song “If You Knew Susie,” evoke a sense of joy and admiration for the titular character. The opening lines describe Susie as a “wow,” a term commonly used in the 1920s to describe something or someone amazing, implying that the singer thinks very highly of her. The next line, “Though all of you may know her too,” suggests that Susie is a popular and well-liked person. However, the singer wants to claim that he knows Susie best and, as a result, he feels compelled to shout out her praises to the world.
The following lines reveal that Susie has a perfect reputation and is not known for partying. This could be interpreted as a virtue in the context of the 1920s when many women, particularly those in the entertainment industry, were stigmatized for indulging in a wild lifestyle. The singer is privy to information about Susie’s whereabouts that others are not, which creates a sense of exclusivity and intimacy between the two of them. The rest of the song repeats the chorus in which the singer asserts that Susie is the most amazing girl he knows, commenting on her beauty, fashion sense, and nonchalant attitude.
Overall, “If You Knew Susie” is a fun and lighthearted song that celebrates the charms and allure of a mysterious woman. The lyrics are playful and filled with references to the slang and cultural norms of the time it was written. Although Cantor Eddie’s version is the most well-known recording of the song, it has been covered by various artists over the years, including Louis Armstrong and Judy Garland.
Line by Line Meaning
I have got a sweetie known as Susie
I am in a romantic relationship with a woman named Susie
In the words of Shakespeare she's a "wow"
Susie is an extremely impressive and attractive woman, comparable to a character from a Shakespeare play
Though all of you may know her, too
While others may be familiar with Susie's name or reputation,
I'd like to shout right now
I am so enamored with Susie that I feel like proclaiming my admiration
Suzie has a perfect reputation
Susie is known to be well-behaved and virtuous
No one ever saw her on a spree
Susie has never been known to engage in wild or reckless behavior
Nobody knows where Susie goes
Susie's movements are not publicly known
Nobody knows but me
I am the only person who knows where Susie goes
If you knew Susie, like I know Susie
If you were as familiar with Susie's true character and behavior as I am,
Oh! Oh! Oh! What a girl
You would be amazed by how impressive and attractive she is
There's none so classy
There is no one as sophisticated or refined as Susie
As this fair lassie
As this beautiful young woman
Oh! Oh! Holy Moses, what a chassis
Wow, Susie has a really attractive figure
We went riding, she didn't balk
We went for a drive or a ride, and Susie was agreeable and easygoing
Back from Yonkers
Returning from a location called Yonkers
I'm the one that had to walk
I had to walk back from Yonkers, while Susie did not
She wears long tresses
Susie has long, flowing hair
And nice tight dresses
Susie wears form-fitting and flattering clothing
What a future she possesses
Susie has great potential for success and happiness in the future
Out in public
When around other people
How she can yawn
Susie is known to yawn loudly or frequently when in public
In a parlour, you would think the war was on
If Susie were in a more formal or quiet setting, her frequent yawning might seem inappropriate or disruptive
If you knew Susie, like I know Susie
If you had the same level of familiarity with Susie's personality and character as I do,
Oh! Oh! What a girl!
You would really appreciate and admire her as much as I do
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: B.G. Desylva, Joseph Meyer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind