Dick Haymes (September 13, 19… Read Full Bio ↴Powerful, milky smooth, rich baritone.
Dick Haymes (September 13, 1918 – March 28, 1980) was one of the most popular American male vocalists of the 1940s and early 1950s.
He was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His Irish-born mother, Marguerite Haymes (1894-1987), was a well-known vocal coach and instructor. He became the vocalist in a number of big bands, worked in Hollywood on radio and in many films throughout the forties and fifties.
He never became a United States citizen and avoided military service during World War II by asserting his non-belligerent status as a citizen of Argentina, which was neutral. Years later (1955), this act of his nearly caused his deportation to Argentina on an unrelated technicality in immigration law. During World War II, he was briefly detained at Ellis Island.
Haymes was married six times and had six children. His most famous marriages were to film actresses Joanne Dru (1941-1949) and Rita Hayworth (1953-1955). His daughter Stephanie Haymes was married to Sir Elton John's lyricist Bernie Taupin
He died in Los Angeles from lung cancer, at the age of 61.
Button Up Your Overcoat
Dick Haymes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now that you got me made
Goodness, but I'm afraid
Somethin's gonna happen to you
Listen, big boy
You gotta be hooked, and how
I would die if I should lose you now
Button up your overcoat
When the wind is free
Take good care of yourself
You belong to me
Eat an apple every day
Get to bed by three
Oh, take good care of yourself
You belong to me
Be careful crossing streets, ooh, ooh
Cut out sweets, ooh, ooh
Lay off meat, ooh, ooh
You'll get a pain and ruin your tum-tum
Wear your flannel underwear
When you climb a tree
Oh, take good care of yourself
You belong to me
Button up your overcoat
When the wind is free
Oh, take good care of yourself
You belong to me
Boop-boop-a-doop
When you sass a traffic cop
Use diplomacy
Just take good care of yourself
You belong to me
Beware of frozen funds, ooh, ooh
Stocks and bonds, ooh, ooh
Dockside thugs, ooh, ooh
You'll get a pain and ruin your bankroll
Keep the spoon out of your cup
When you're drinking tea
Oh, take good care of yourself
You belong to me
Don't sit on hornet's tails, ooh, ooh
Or on nails, ooh, ooh
Or third rails, ooh, ooh
You'll get a pain and ruin your tum-tum
Keep away from bootleg hooch
When you're on a spree
Oh, take good care of yourself
You belong to me
The lyrics of "Button Up Your Overcoat" sung by Dick Haymes, are a caring and loving reminder of a partner's concern for their lover's well-being. The song starts with the lover expressing fear that something might happen to their beloved, implying vulnerability and an innate need for protection. The lover pleads for their loved one to take good care of themselves by buttoning up their overcoat on a windy day, crossing the street carefully, avoiding sweet and unhealthy foods, and wearing warm flannel underwear when climbing a tree.
The lyric, "button up your overcoat when the wind is free," suggests that the partner is giving attention to the more trivial details of their lover's life to safeguard their well-being. The song warns of frozen funds, stocks and bonds, dockside thugs, and bootleg hooch, all of which could deal a damaging blow to the loved one's life.
The song's overall message is that if the lover takes care of themselves, they should be safe for their mate's love and affection, which is unending. The song's sweet and comforting nature is well suited to the big band sound and Dick Haymes's smooth vocals of the era.
Line by Line Meaning
Listen, big boy
Pay attention, my dear
Now that you got me made
Now that we're together as a couple
Goodness, but I'm afraid
I'm worried about your safety
Somethin's gonna happen to you
You're going to get hurt or sick
You gotta be hooked, and how
You have to be committed to me
I would die if I should lose you now
I cannot bear the thought of losing you
Button up your overcoat
Keep yourself warm and protected
When the wind is free
When the weather is bad
Take good care of yourself
Be careful and cautious
You belong to me
You are important to me
Eat an apple every day
Take care of your health
Get to bed by three
Don't stay up too late
Be careful crossing streets, ooh, ooh
Watch out when you're walking outside
Cut out sweets, ooh, ooh
Don't eat too much candy or sugar
Lay off meat, ooh, ooh
Don't eat too much meat
You'll get a pain and ruin your tum-tum
You'll get a stomach ache
Wear your flannel underwear
Dress warmly
When you climb a tree
When you're doing dangerous activities
Button up your overcoat
Stay safe
When the wind is free
During bad weather
Boop-boop-a-doop
Silly expression of affection
When you sass a traffic cop
When you talk back to a police officer
Use diplomacy
Be polite and respectful
Beware of frozen funds, ooh, ooh
Be careful of financial problems
Stocks and bonds, ooh, ooh
Be cautious of investing
Dockside thugs, ooh, ooh
Be careful in dangerous areas
You'll get a pain and ruin your bankroll
You'll lose your money
Keep the spoon out of your cup
Don't stir too much
When you're drinking tea
When you're having a drink
Don't sit on hornet's tails, ooh, ooh
Stay away from dangerous things
Or on nails, ooh, ooh
Be cautious of sharp objects
Or third rails, ooh, ooh
Be careful around electricity
Keep away from bootleg hooch
Don't drink illegal alcohol
When you're on a spree
When you're having fun
Oh, take good care of yourself
Be safe and careful
You belong to me
You're important to me
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Gard Buddy Desylva, Lew Brown, Ray Henderson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind