Let's Do It
Cole Porter Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Birds do it, bees do it
Even educated fleas do it
Let's do it, let's fall in love

In Spain, the best upper sets do it
Lithuanians and Letts do it
Let's do it, let's fall in love
The Dutch in old Amsterdam do it
Not to mention the Finns
Folks in Siam do it; think of Siamese twins

Some Argentines without means do it
People say in Boston even beans do it
Let's do it, let's fall in love

Romantic sponges, they say, do it
Oysters down in oyster bay do it
Let's do it, let's fall in love

Cold cape cod clams 'gainst their wish do it
Even lazy jellyfish do it
Let's do it, let's fall in love

Electric eels, I might add, do it
Though it shocks 'em I know
Why ask if shad do it? Waiter, bring me shad roe

In shallow shoals English soles do it




Goldfish in the privacy of bowls do it
Let's do it, let's fall in love

Overall Meaning

The song starts with observing the animal kingdom and how various creatures fall in love: from birds and bees to even fleas. The lyrics then take us on a world tour, highlighting different countries and cultures where people also fall in love despite their differences. The Parisian upper classes, the Lithuanians and Letts, Dutch in Amsterdam and the Finns - all have one thing in common, they fall in love. Siamese twins and Argentines without means, and even Boston beans, are also mentioned.


The final verse includes a range of sea creatures, from romantic sponges to oysters in Oyster Bay who fall in love. Even the reluctant clams in Cape Cod and lazy jellyfish, who might not seem inclined to do anything, have been known to fall in love. The verse ends with less familiar creatures like electric eels and shad roe. The song is a playful, lighthearted tribute to love that can be found anywhere.


The song is widely regarded as a classic and has been covered by many musicians over the years. The reason why the song is still popular is not only because of its catchy tune and lyrics but also because of its clever references to animals and cultures that are still relatable to this day.


Line by Line Meaning

Birds do it, bees do it
Even animals mate with each other.


Even educated fleas do it
Even tiny creatures like fleas, who have no education or consciousness, mate with each other.


Let's do it, let's fall in love
We should also find a partner and fall in love with them.


In Spain, the best upper sets do it
Even the wealthiest and most successful people in Spain mate with each other.


Lithuanians and Letts do it
Even people from Lithuania and Latvia mate with each other.


The Dutch in old Amsterdam do it
Even the people of the Netherlands, specifically those from Amsterdam, mate with each other.


Not to mention the Finns
Additionally, people from Finland also mate with each other.


Folks in Siam do it; think of Siamese twins
Even conjoined twins from Siam (now Thailand) mate with each other.


Some Argentines without means do it
Even some poor people in Argentina mate with each other.


People say in Boston even beans do it
Even inanimate objects like beans are associated with mating in Boston.


Romantic sponges, they say, do it
Even sponges, which are not conscious and lack any ability to feel emotions, are associated with mating behavior.


Oysters down in oyster bay do it
Even oysters, which are not mammals and have no reproductive organs, are associated with mating in the bay area where they are commonly found.


Cold cape cod clams 'gainst their wish do it
Even clams in Cape Cod, who may not be willing or enthusiastic partners in the act, still mate.


Even lazy jellyfish do it
Even jellyfish, who lack a brain or nervous system, mate with each other.


Electric eels, I might add, do it
Even electric eels, who have a unique way of generating electricity to navigate and defend themselves, mate with each other.


Though it shocks 'em I know
Even though the electricity they produce might also shock their partner, they still mate.


Why ask if shad do it? Waiter, bring me shad roe
Even fish like shad mate with each other, and the artist would like to eat the eggs (roe) of a shad.


In shallow shoals English soles do it
Even fish like English soles, found in shallow groups (shoals), mate with each other.


Goldfish in the privacy of bowls do it
Even pet goldfish, kept in small bowls kept inside the home, mate with each other.


Let's do it, let's fall in love
We should also find a partner and fall in love with them.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc., Actual Music, S.L.
Written by: Cole Porter

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

solo saco todo

When the little bluebird
Who has never said a word
Starts to sing "Spring, spring"
When the little bluebell
At the bottom of the dell
Starts to ring, ding ding
When the little blue clerk
In the middle of his work
Starts a tune to the moon up above
It is nature, that's all
Simply telling us to fall in love

And that's why birds do it, bees do it
Even educated fleas do it
Let's do it, let's fall in love
In Spain the best upper sets do it
Lithuanians and Letts do it
Let's do it, let's fall in love
The Dutch in old Amsterdam do it
Not to mention the Finns
Folks in Siam do it--
Think of Siamese twins.
Some Argentines, without means, do it
People say in Boston even beans do it
Let's do it, let's fall in love

Romantic sponges, they say, do it
Oysters down in Oyster Bay do it
Let's do it, let's fall in love
Cold Cape Cod clams, 'gainst their wish, do it
Even lazy jellyfish do it
Let's do it, let's fall in love
Electric eels, I might add, do it,
Though it shocks 'em, I know,
Why ask if shad do it?
Waiter, bring me shad roe!
In shallow shoals, English soles do it
Goldfish in the privacy of bowls do it
Let's do it, let's fall in love



elix fran

SING ALONG!!!When the little bluebird
Who has never said a word
Starts to sing "Spring, spring"
When the little bluebell
At the bottom of the dell
Starts to ring, ding ding
When the little blue clerk
In the middle of his work
Starts a tune to the moon up above
It is nature, that's all
Simply telling us to fall in love

And that's why birds do it, bees do it
Even educated fleas do it
Let's do it, let's fall in love
In Spain the best upper sets do it
Lithuanians and Letts do it
Let's do it, let's fall in love
The Dutch in old Amsterdam do it
Not to mention the Finns
Folks in Siam do it--
Think of Siamese twins
Some Argentines, without means, do it
People say in Boston even beans do it
Let's do it, let's fall in love
  
Romantic sponges, they say, do it
Oysters down in Oyster Bay do it
Let's do it, let's fall in love
Cold Cape Cod clams, 'gainst their wish, do it
Even lazy jellyfish do it
Let's do it, let's fall in love
Electric eels, I might add, do it
Though it shocks 'em, I know
Why ask if shad do it?
Waiter, bring me shad roe!
In shallow shoals, English soles do it
Goldfish in the privacy of bowls do it
Let's do it, let's fall in love



All comments from YouTube:

solo saco todo

When the little bluebird
Who has never said a word
Starts to sing "Spring, spring"
When the little bluebell
At the bottom of the dell
Starts to ring, ding ding
When the little blue clerk
In the middle of his work
Starts a tune to the moon up above
It is nature, that's all
Simply telling us to fall in love

And that's why birds do it, bees do it
Even educated fleas do it
Let's do it, let's fall in love
In Spain the best upper sets do it
Lithuanians and Letts do it
Let's do it, let's fall in love
The Dutch in old Amsterdam do it
Not to mention the Finns
Folks in Siam do it--
Think of Siamese twins.
Some Argentines, without means, do it
People say in Boston even beans do it
Let's do it, let's fall in love

Romantic sponges, they say, do it
Oysters down in Oyster Bay do it
Let's do it, let's fall in love
Cold Cape Cod clams, 'gainst their wish, do it
Even lazy jellyfish do it
Let's do it, let's fall in love
Electric eels, I might add, do it,
Though it shocks 'em, I know,
Why ask if shad do it?
Waiter, bring me shad roe!
In shallow shoals, English soles do it
Goldfish in the privacy of bowls do it
Let's do it, let's fall in love

Tanzanite Soul

thanksssss a lot for this... am singing along... n it's fun 😍

zzzl2016

I love you, I just.. love you.

Gautham .K.Thayyil

Thank you

Canela Isabel

Arantxa Becerra hubo

Irmeli Tammilehto

Dear Arantxa, Do I hear it properly; "even finns do it". I am a finn? This is the only version of my great goodie Cole Porter´s music I ever noticed anything about nordick people. But for me Anything Goes.

6 More Replies...

Joe Marshall

Great interpretation of a classic song. The singer really captures the innocence and wistfulness of the song, with perfect accent, perfect diction, sense of humor, etc. He makes the song live so intensely that everybody is talking about what a great song it is, and no one is mentioning the singer....that's a great job.

Joe Marshall

perfect interplay with the piano, too.

Diana Heaberlin

That was great! Happy Birthday Cole Porter! Thanks for all the timeless music!

Greg Normal

Hello!! How are you doing today, please pardon me for intruding into your privacy but I just wanted to know if you’re a fan ? Have a great day… Stay Safe

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