Cuttin' Capers
Doris Day Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I heard you call for an all star band
It's something new for the music stand
It's on the way, but before we start
A cuttin' capers around your heart

You're gonna cheer when you hear this band
There's never been a better crew
And when you hear the drummer
Lawdy, how the joint'll hum
A cuttin' capers just for you

You'll never pick about or pick a quarr'l
With Mister Krupa or with Frankie Carle
You'll never dig a list of bigger names
A cuttin' capers with Harry James

With Benny Goodman and his clarinet
And Tommy Dorsey's in it, too
Alvino Rey will star
A walkin' talkin' steel guitar
A cuttin' capers just for you

Listen to that tenor saxophone
Never heard it played with such a tone
And when you get that lic'rish stick
Out in the woodshed, son

Why it's Papa Benny Goodman
And he's showin' ya quick
How the proper lic'rish stickin's done
(Too root, dah roo, ta, doo doo)

Listen to that fiddle player slap, slap, slap
Boy, he plays it, he really lays it, in your lap, lap, lap
Say, I'll bet before they're through
You'll be cuttin' capers, too
(Doo doo, doo doo, roo doo)

(Do rah do)

Cuttin' capers 'cause I'm out with you
Nothin' else that I'm about to do
My heart begins to flutter like a dove
I even stutter
(Guess, it's love)

I'm cuttin' capers so you'll notice me
When we're together, can't you see
I'm only blowin' off
A talkin' big, a showin' off

A cuttin' capers 'cause it's true
Dee dah, dee dah, ooh, ooh, ooh

Baby, I'm in love
(Baby, I'm in love)
Baby, I'm in love with




(Baby, I'm in love with)
Baby, I'm in love with you

Overall Meaning

The song "Cuttin' Capers" by Doris Day brings back the nostalgia of swing music and the vibrant energy that came with it. The song can be seen as a statement of promise for the type of music the band will bring to the audience. The lyrics capture the excitement surrounding the upcoming performance by mentioning some of the greatest musicians of the time, such as Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Alvino Rey, and Harry James. The song's upbeat tempo and the sound of the horns and drums keep the energy flowing.


The opening lines suggest that the singer has heard someone call for an all-star band, which implies they have high expectations for the performance. The song promises the audience a great time, with the high energy emanating from the music, filled with horns and drumbeats. The lyrics talk about the exciting way the drummer will play, causing the entire room to hum. The singer encourages the audience to embrace the music and let loose, even if they are not experienced dancers.


The lines "Cuttin' capers 'cause I'm out with you, Nothin' else that I'm about to do" suggests that the singer is looking to impress someone they love, and the music is the tool they use to do it. The lyrics in this part of the song give the audience a sense of playful fun and romantic attraction, adding to the vibrant, positive energy that comes with swing music.


Line by Line Meaning

I heard you call for an all star band
You expressed wanting to hear a band with the best musicians


It's something new for the music stand
It's a novel idea for the music scene


It's on the way, but before we start
We're preparing for it, but there's something else we must do first


A cuttin' capers around your heart
Romantically winning you over by being lighthearted and fun


You're gonna cheer when you hear this band
You'll be thrilled when you listen to this band


There's never been a better crew
There hasn't been a more talented group of musicians


And when you hear the drummer
The drummer's playing will amaze you


Lawdy, how the joint'll hum
It will be an exciting, lively atmosphere


A cuttin' capers just for you
Putting on this show especially for your enjoyment


You'll never pick about or pick a quarr'l
You won't criticize or argue with the likes of Krupa or Carle


With Mister Krupa or with Frankie Carle
You won't find any fault with Mr. Krupa or Carle


You'll never dig a list of bigger names
You won't come across more well-known musicians


A cuttin' capers with Harry James
Experiencing a fun and playful time with Harry James


With Benny Goodman and his clarinet
Joining Benny Goodman and his instrument


And Tommy Dorsey's in it, too
Tommy Dorsey is also a part of it


Alvino Rey will star
Alvino Rey is going to be the lead performer


A walkin' talkin' steel guitar
Playing a lively steel guitar sound


A cuttin' capers just for you
Entertaining you with friendly and playful behavior


Listen to that tenor saxophone
Listen to the wonderful sound of the tenor saxophone


Never heard it played with such a tone
The way it's being played now is particularly beautiful


And when you get that lic'rish stick
When you have that licorice stick


Out in the woodshed, son
It will sound even better in a natural setting


Why it's Papa Benny Goodman
It's none other than the great Benny Goodman


And he's showin' ya quick
He's demonstrating right away


How the proper lic'rish stickin's done
How to properly play a licorice stick


(Too root, dah roo, ta, doo doo)
Musical interlude


Listen to that fiddle player slap, slap, slap
Hear the energetic slapping sound of the fiddle player's playing


Boy, he plays it, he really lays it, in your lap, lap, lap
The fiddler's playing will catch your attention


Say, I'll bet before they're through
I bet they'll have you involved soon enough


You'll be cuttin' capers, too
You'll also be playful and having a fun time


(Doo doo, doo doo, roo doo)
Musical interlude


(Do rah do)
Musical interlude


Cuttin' capers 'cause I'm out with you
I'm in good spirits because I'm with you


Nothin' else that I'm about to do
I don't have any other plans


My heart begins to flutter like a dove
My heart feels like it's fluttering


I even stutter
My speech becomes affected


(Guess, it's love)
It's likely that I'm in love


I'm cuttin' capers so you'll notice me
I'm acting playful so that you pay attention to me


When we're together, can't you see
We're together, can't you tell?


I'm only blowin' off
I'm just having fun


A talkin' big, a showin' off
Acting self-important and showing off


A cuttin' capers 'cause it's true
I'm being playful because I really enjoy it


(Dee dah, dee dah, ooh, ooh, ooh)
Musical interlude


Baby, I'm in love
I'm in love


(Baby, I'm in love)
Musical interlude


Baby, I'm in love with
I'm in love with


(Baby, I'm in love with)
Musical interlude


Baby, I'm in love with you
I'm in love with you




Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HARRY WARREN, RALPH BLANE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

KRAFTWERK2K6

Doris is a timeless beauty with an incredible golden voice. What a lady!! <3

Angela Carleton

I love this movie by Doris Day - it was wonderful! I especially love the title song, "My Dreams Is Yours!"

Lizzie Medel

I love this film! My two aunties were "human jukeboxes" for a company called Wired Music back in the late 1940's in Downtown San Jose. "Number Please" is the phrase they used and they couldn't use their real names so they were Joy and Betty. They loved music and were always singing 🎶💖

Sam Alvey

This is my first time hearing her and I'm amazed!

drsergekuznetsov

Замечательная актриса и певица! RIP

Cheryl M

Nobody but Doris could have done this to perfection!!!

Ben

I WAS 6 YEARS OLD WHEN MY MOTHER TOOK ME TO SEE THIS MOVIE I BEEN LOVE WITH DORIS DAY EVER SINCE.

drsergekuznetsov

Божественна!

Laura C

I don’t think anyone had more perfect or beautiful teeth than Doris Day

Gabriel Jacques

I just watched this on t.v. EVE ARDEN is fabulous in thisDORIS DAY WAS YOUNG.!!!

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