You Was
Doris Day & Buddy Clark Lyrics

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Who's gonna kiss me
Who's gonna thrill me
Who's gonna hold me tight
Tonight

Why did I tell you I was going to Shanghai
I wannna be with you tonight
Why did I holler I was going to Shanghai

I wanna be with you tonight
It was just a little misunderstanding
That a kiss on the cheek could patch
I need you so badly, I'd gladly
Start all over from scratch

Oh, why did I tell you it was bye bye for Shanghai
I'm even allergic to rice
Why don't you stop me when I talk about Shanghai
It's just a lover's device
Now, who's gonna kiss me
Who's gonna thrill me
Who's gonna hold me tight
I'm right around the corner in the phone booth
And I wannna be with you tonight

Now, why did I tell you it was bye bye for Shanghai
I'm even allergic to rice
Why don't you stop me when I talk about Shanghai
It's just a lover's device
Now, who's gonna kiss me
Who's gonna thrill me
Who's gonna hold me tight
I'm right around the corner in the phone booth
And I wannna be with you tonight

Ooh ooh ooh who's gonna kiss me
Who's gonna thrill me
Who's gonna hold me tight
I'm right around the corner in the phone booth

And I wanna, yes I wanna
I wanna be with you tonight

Overall Meaning

The song "Shanghai" by Doris Day talks about a woman who made a big mistake by telling her lover that she was leaving for Shanghai, probably out of anger, only to realize later that she wishes to be with him. She asks who's gonna kiss her, thrill her, and hold her tight tonight, expressing her longing for her lover's company. She regrets her decision to leave and blames it on a little misunderstanding that a kiss on the cheek could patch up. She wants to start all over and wishes that her lover could stop her from talking about Shanghai, which she claims is just a lover's device.

The lyrics are indicative of a rocky relationship, where one partner acts on impulse and makes decisions in haste. The woman realizes that she needs her lover badly and is willing to start all over again. The lyrics are open to interpretation, but they most likely reflect the emotions of someone who has made a mistake and wants to take it back.

Line by Line Meaning

Who's gonna kiss me
Who will show their love and affection to me through a kiss

Who's gonna thrill me
Who will excite and stimulate me

Who's gonna hold me tight
Who will embrace and comfort me

Why did I tell you I was going to Shanghai
Why did I lie to you about leaving when I truly desire to be with you tonight

I wannna be with you tonight
I desire to be physically and emotionally close to you tonight

It was just a little misunderstanding
Our temporary separation could be resolved with a simple act of affection

That a kiss on the cheek could patch
Just a simple kiss on the cheek could fix everything

I need you so badly, I'd gladly
I yearn for your presence so strongly, I am willing to start over

Start all over from scratch
Begin our relationship anew, from the beginning

Oh, why did I tell you it was bye bye for Shanghai
Why did I lie to you about leaving, making you think it was over between us

I'm even allergic to rice
The idea of being away from you in Shanghai is unappealing

Why don't you stop me when I talk about Shanghai
You should tell me that you want me to stay with you instead of going to Shanghai

It's just a lover's device
The talk of going to Shanghai is only a way for a lover to spark a conversation about staying together

I'm right around the corner in the phone booth
I am nearby and available to be with you if you want me

And I wanna, yes I wanna
I desire to be physically and emotionally close to you

I wanna be with you tonight
I strongly desire to be with you tonight

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, AMY DEE MUSIC CORP., Cloud9, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Milton De Lugg, Bob Hilliard

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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