Makin' Whoopee
Ella Fitzgerald Lyrics


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Another bride, another June
Another sunny honeymoon
Another season, another reason
For makin' whoopee

A lot of shoes, a lot of rice
The groom is nervous; he answers twice
It's really killin'
That he's so willin' to make whoopee

Picture a little love nest
Down where the roses cling
Picture the same sweet love nest
Think what a year can bring

He's washin' dishes and baby clothes
He's so ambitious he even sews
But don't forget, folks
That's what you get, folks, for makin' whoopee

Another year or maybe less
What's this I hear? Well, you can't confess
She feels neglected, and he's suspected
Of makin' whoopee

She sits alone 'most every night
He doesn't phone her; he doesn't write
He says he's busy, but she says, "Is he?"
He's makin' whoopee

He doesn't make much money
Only five thousand per
Some judge who thinks he's funny
Says, "You'll pay six to her"

He says, "Now, Judge, suppose I fail?"
The judge says, "Budge right into jail"
You'd better keep her; I think it's cheaper
Than makin' whoopee

You'd better keep her




I know it's cheaper
Than makin' whoopee

Overall Meaning

The song "Makin' Whoopee" by Ella Fitzgerald describes the cycle of love, marriage, and the potential downfall of a relationship. At the beginning of the song, the lyrics illustrate the excitement surrounding a wedding - another bride, another sunny honeymoon, and another season for "makin' whoopee." However, as time passes, the couple's relationship deteriorates. The man is portrayed as neglectful and unfaithful, and the woman feels neglected and suspicious. Despite this, the man continues making excuses and going about his business, until he is faced with the consequences of his actions - paying alimony to his ex-wife. The song ultimately relates the idea that getting married and "makin' whoopee" isn't the hard part - it's keeping the relationship alive and strong that requires effort and dedication.


One of the interesting facts about the song is that it was written by Walter Donaldson and Gus Kahn in 1928, and was originally titled "Cow Cow Boogie." The songwriters reworked the lyrics, changed the title to "Makin' Whoopee," and the song became a hit in 1929. Additionally, the song has been covered by many famous artists, such as Louis Armstrong, Judy Garland, and Doris Day.


Line by Line Meaning

Another bride, another June
With every passing month, another woman becomes a bride, and June seems to be a popular month for weddings.


Another sunny honeymoon
After the wedding, the couple goes on a sunny, romantic vacation.


Another season, another reason
Each season brings new occasions for people to get married and celebrate their love.


For makin' whoopee
The song suggests that one of the primary reasons for getting married is to have sex with one another.


A lot of shoes, a lot of rice
Weddings are often accompanied by throwing rice on the couple and display of a lot of shoes means desire for the flow of life together.


The groom is nervous; he answers twice
The groom is so nervous that he repeats his answer, possibly to affirm his commitment and reassure himself that he is doing the right thing.


It's really killin', that he's so willin' to make whoopee
The groom is so eager to have sex with his new wife that it is killing him inside.


Picture a little love nest, down where the roses cling
The song describes a cozy, romantic dwelling where roses are growing, representing the couple's love for each other.


Picture the same sweet love nest, think what a year can bring
The song suggests that a lot can happen in a year, and the couple can grow together in their little love nest.


He's washin' dishes and baby clothes
The husband is taking care of the chores traditionally associated with women and children, showing his willingness to be a supportive partner and a father.


He's so ambitious he even sews
The husband is so proactive that he even knows how to sew, which is not a skill you would normally associate with men in that era.


But don't forget, folks, that's what you get, folks, for makin' whoopee
Despite his best efforts, the husband's life has become mundane and routine, and the song reminds the listener that this is a common consequence of getting married and settling down.


Another year or maybe less
The song suggests that the excitement of marriage might wear off after a year or sooner.


What's this I hear? Well, you can't confess
The husband is doing something wrong, but he can't bring himself to confess or admit to his actions.


She feels neglected, and he's suspected of makin' whoopee
The wife feels neglected, and she suspects her husband is cheating on her and sneaking out to have sex with someone else.


She sits alone 'most every night
The wife spends most of her nights alone, waiting for her husband to come home or call her.


He doesn't phone her; he doesn't write
The husband doesn't bother to call his wife or write to her, leaving her feeling neglected and unloved.


He says he's busy, but she says, 'Is he?'
The husband claims to be busy, but the wife questions whether or not he is actually working or spending time with someone else.


He's makin' whoopee
The song confirms the wife's suspicion that the husband is cheating on her and having sex with someone else.


He doesn't make much money
The husband is not a wealthy man and might struggle to provide for his family.


Only five thousand per
The husband's annual income is just five thousand dollars.


Some judge who thinks he's funny, says 'You'll pay six to her'
The judge orders the husband to pay six thousand dollars to his wife as a form of compensation or spousal support.


He says, 'Now, Judge, suppose I fail?'
The husband is worried that he might not be able to make the payments, and he questions what will happen if he fails to do so.


The judge says, 'Budge right into jail'
The judge warns the husband that he could face imprisonment if he fails to comply with the court's order and pay the amount owed.


You'd better keep her, I think it's cheaper than makin' whoopee
The judge advises the husband to keep his wife and work things out rather than cheating on her and getting into trouble with the law.




Lyrics © DistroKid, DONALDSON PUBLISHING CO, TOBAGO MUSIC COMPANY, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Walter Donaldson, Gus Kahn

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

n00se

Another bride, another June
Another sunny honeymoon
Another season, another reason
For makin' whoopee

A lot of shoes, a lot of rice
The groom is nervous, he answers twice
Its really killin'
That he's so willin' to make whoopee

Now picture a little love nest
Down where the roses cling
Picture the same sweet love nest
Think what a year can bring, yes

He's washin dishes and baby clothes
He's so ambitious he even sews
But don't forget folks
Thats what you get folks, for makin' whoopee

Another year, maybe less
What's this I hear? Well, can't you guess?
She feels neglected, and he's suspected
Of makin' whoopee

Yeah, she sits alone
Most every night
He doesn't phone, he doesn't write
He says he's busy
But she says, "is he?"
He's makin' whoopee

Now he doesn't make much money
Only five thousand per
Some judge who thinks he's funny
Says, "You'll pay six to her."

He says, "Now judge, suppose I fail?"
Judge say, "Budge, right into jail.
You'd better keep her. I think it's cheaper
Than makin' whoopee."

Yes, yeah, you better keep her
Daddy, I think it's cheaper
Then makin' whoopee



Mercedes Soy

Another bride, another June
Another sunny honeymoon
Another season, another reason
For makin' whoopee

A lot of shoes, a lot of rice
The groom is nervous; he answers twice
It's really killin'
That he's so willin' to make whoopee

Picture a little love nest
Down where the roses cling
Picture the same sweet love nest
Think what a year can bring

He's washin' dishes and baby clothes
He's so ambitious he even sews
But don't forget, folks
That's what you get, folks, for makin' whoopee

Another year or maybe less
What's this I hear? Well, you can't confess
She feels neglected, and he's suspected
Of makin' whoopee

She sits alone 'most every night
He doesn't phone her; he doesn't write
He says he's busy, but she says, "Is he?"
He's makin' whoopee

He doesn't make much money
Only five thousand per
Some judge who thinks he's funny
Says, "You'll pay six to her"

He says, "Now, Judge, suppose I fail?"
The judge says, "Budge right into jail"
You'd better keep her; I think it's cheaper
Than makin' whoopee

You'd better keep her
I know it's cheaper
Than makin' whoopee



All comments from YouTube:

Cindy Malone

Miss Ella had such a phenomenal voice.That was back when singers had really talent.Its sad that most of those greats are so long gone now. I still enjoy her songs to this day.

n00se

Another bride, another June
Another sunny honeymoon
Another season, another reason
For makin' whoopee

A lot of shoes, a lot of rice
The groom is nervous, he answers twice
Its really killin'
That he's so willin' to make whoopee

Now picture a little love nest
Down where the roses cling
Picture the same sweet love nest
Think what a year can bring, yes

He's washin dishes and baby clothes
He's so ambitious he even sews
But don't forget folks
Thats what you get folks, for makin' whoopee

Another year, maybe less
What's this I hear? Well, can't you guess?
She feels neglected, and he's suspected
Of makin' whoopee

Yeah, she sits alone
Most every night
He doesn't phone, he doesn't write
He says he's busy
But she says, "is he?"
He's makin' whoopee

Now he doesn't make much money
Only five thousand per
Some judge who thinks he's funny
Says, "You'll pay six to her."

He says, "Now judge, suppose I fail?"
Judge say, "Budge, right into jail.
You'd better keep her. I think it's cheaper
Than makin' whoopee."

Yes, yeah, you better keep her
Daddy, I think it's cheaper
Then makin' whoopee

John Benn

WOW
Wonderful sounds from the genius of Ella & the band.
From a 72yo Aussie fan.

Анна Рябинина

I like this song!!!❤🎉

Justin Carroll

"Makin' Whoopee." An all-American classic.

Vernon Ndimeni

At Ohlange High School KZN South Africa, this song was rendered beautifully by the school’s classy jazz musical group, amaJazzojites, when they would occasionally entertain the school in the school chapel, during the reign of principal Mr. S. D. Ngcobo. 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohlange_High_School

AnxietyAutismAwareness99

My grandfather has a stab wound on his stomach to remind him not to make whoopee again 😂

AnitaSummer1971

Grandma rocks.

curbmassa

@AnitaSummer1971 Stabs, too.

Анна Рябинина

I sing song Makin Woopy!!!!

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