Let's Do It
Dinah Shore and Buddy Clark Lyrics
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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
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 shadroe
In shallow shoals, English soles do it
Goldfish in the privacy of bowls do it
Let's do it, let's fall in love
The song "Let's Do It" by Dinah Shore and Buddy Clark is a classic love song that celebrates the universality of love through the image of animals and insects mating. The song expresses the idea that love exists and is experienced in all corners of the world and among all types of creatures. The lyrics describe the romance and mating rituals of birds, bees, fleas, sponges, oysters, jellyfish, electric eels, English soles, and goldfish, among others. The message of the song is clear: if all these creatures can fall in love, then so can we.
The song was written by Cole Porter in 1928 for his musical "Paris." Over the years, it has been performed by many other famous musicians, including Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby, and Louis Armstrong. The song has been used in films, television shows, and commercials, and has become a staple of the American Songbook.
Line by Line Meaning
Birds do it, bees do it
Even animals as small as birds and bees fall in love and mate.
Even educated fleas do it
Even tiny creatures like fleas breed and procreate.
Let's do it, let's fall in love
Let's follow their example and fall in love.
In Spain the best upper sets do it
Even those in higher social classes in Spain fall in love and engage in romance.
Lithuanians and Letts do it
Different nationalities like Lithuanians and Letts also fall in love and mate.
The Dutch in old Amsterdam do it
Even the Dutch in Amsterdam participate in romance.
Not to mention the Finns
Additionally, the Finnish people also fall in love and reproduce.
Folks in Siam do it
Even those in Siam (now Thailand) participate in romantic relationships.
Think of Siamese twins
Even those born as conjoined twins can fall in love and participate in romantic relationships.
Some Argentines, without means do it
Even those in Argentina without many resources fall in love and mate.
People say in Boston even beans do it
Even in Boston, something as simple as beans can be used as a euphemism for sex.
Romantic sponges they say do it
Even some types of sponges have male and female reproductive parts and can mate.
Oysters down in Oyster Bay do it
Even oysters in Oyster Bay participate in love and romance.
Cold Cape Cod clams, 'gainst their wish, do it
Even unwilling Cape Cod clams can fall in love and mate.
Even lazy jellyfish do it
Even creatures as seemingly unmotivated as jellyfish can fall in love and mate.
Electric eels, I might add, do it
Even electric eels, despite the shock they might experience, can be romantic and mate.
Why ask if shad do it
The singer questions why someone would even ask if shad, a type of fish, can fall in love or mate.
Waiter, bring me shadroe
The singer orders shadroe, or the eggs of the shad fish, which can be a delicacy.
In shallow shoals, English soles do it
Even English soles in groups can fall in love and mate.
Goldfish in the privacy of bowls do it
Even goldfish kept as pets in bowls can engage in romance and reproduce.
Let's do it, let's fall in love
The singer once again encourages the listener to follow the example of all these creatures and fall in love.
Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., 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