During World War II, he wrote 1942's "Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition". Formerly a successful lyricist in collaboration with other composers, this was the first song for which Loesser composed the melody in addition to the lyric.
Loesser was awarded a Grammy Award in 1961 for Best Original Cast Show Album for How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying.
He wrote the following Broadway musicals:
* Where's Charley? (1948) (starring Ray Bolger)
o "Once in Love With Amy"
* Guys and Dolls (1950)
o "A Bushel and a Peck"
o "Fugue for Tinhorns"
o "I'll Know"
o "If I Were A Bell", a favorite of Miles Davis, featured in recordings with John Coltrane
o "Luck Be a Lady Tonight"
* The Most Happy Fella (1956)
o "Standing on the Corner"
o "Big D"
o "Somebody Somewhere"
o "Joey, Joey"
* Greenwillow (1960)
* How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying (1961)
o "I Believe In You"
o "The Brotherhood Of Man"
* Pleasures and Palaces (1965)
Some well-known songs he composed for movies and Tin Pan Alley:
* "Baby, It's Cold Outside" from Neptune's Daughter (1949). This was originally a song which Loesser and his wife Lynn (born Blankenbaker) performed at parties for the private entertainment of friends. They also recorded the song for Mercury Records. Under contract to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer to supply a full score for Neptune's Daughter, Loesser included this song which he had created in 1944, originally for their housewarming party.
* "Heart and Soul" (from the Paramount Short Subject A Song is Born) -- lyrics
* "I Don't Want to Walk Without You" (from the Paramount Pictures motion picture Sweater Girl)
* "Inch Worm" (from the motion picture Hans Christian Andersen)
* "(I'd Like to Get You on a) Slow Boat to China"
* "Spring Will Be A Little Late This Year" (from the motion picture Christmas Holiday)
* "Thumbelina" (from Hans Christian Andersen)
* "Two Sleepy People" (music by Hoagy Carmichael, 1938)
* "What are You Doing New Year's Eve?"
* "Wonderful Copenhagen" (from Hans Christian Andersen), which is now the official song of the city of Copenhagen.
He was also the author of "The Ballad of Rodger Young".
2006 saw the release of the PBS documentary, Heart & Soul: The Life and Music of Frank Loesser.
A Bushel and a Peck
Frank Loesser Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I love you,
A bushel and a peck,
A bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck.
Hug around a neck and a barrel and a heap,
Barrel and a heap and I'm talking in my sleep
(about you?)
About you.
(My heart is leapin'! I'm havin' trouble sleepin'!)
'Cause I love you,
A bushel and a peck,
You bet your pretty neck I do.
Doodle-oodle-oodle,
Doodle-oodle-oodle,
Doodle-oodle-oodle doo.
Doodle-oodle-oodle,
Doodle-oodle-oodle,
Doodle-oodle-oodle doo.
I love you,
A bushel and a peck,
A bushel and a peck,
Tho' it beats me all to heck,
Beats me all to heck that I'll never tend the farm,
Ever tend the farm when I wanna keep my arm about you.
(About you?)
About you.
(The cows and chickens are going to the dickens!)
'Cause I love you,
A bushel and a peck,
You bet your pretty neck I do.
Doodle-oodle-oodle,
Doodle-oodle-oodle,
Doodle-oodle-oodle doo.
(Goodbye, now!)
Doodle-oodle-oodle,
Doodle-oodle-oodle,
Doodle-oodle-oodle doo
Frank Loesser's song A Bushel and a Peck is a charming declaration of love. The lyrics describe a deep affection for someone that is so strong that it keeps the singer up at night. The singer expresses their love using playful imagery of a bushel and a peck, a hug around the neck, and a barrel and a heap. The repetition of these phrases adds to the song's charm and makes it easy to sing along to.
The song's lyrics are full of humor, particularly in the last verse when the singer laments about not being able to tend the farm because of their love for the person. The use of the phrase "beats me all to heck" shows the singer's exasperation at the situation. The song ends with an upbeat, happy instrumental section that reinforces the joyful mood of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
I love you,
My love for you is immense and all-encompassing
A bushel and a peck,
I love you more than words can express
A bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck.
I wish to express my great love and affection for you through physical touch and embrace
Hug around a neck and a barrel and a heap,
I am overflowing with love and affection for you, like a barrel or heap of items
Barrel and a heap and I'm talking in my sleep
My love for you is so intense that it affects my subconscious thoughts and dreams
About you,
My thoughts and feelings are constantly centered around you
(about you?)
Is there any other topic of importance besides you?
About you.
Every thought and action I have revolves around you and my love for you
('Cause I love you,)
My love for you is the reason behind everything I do
A bushel and a peck,
My love for you is immeasurable
You bet your pretty neck I do.
I absolutely love you and will always do so
Doodle-oodle-oodle,
Nonsensical interjection to express my excitement and happiness
Doodle-oodle-oodle,
Repeating nonsensical interjection
Doodle-oodle-oodle doo.
Final nonsensical interjection to end the song
Tho' it beats me all to heck,
Despite my confusion and bewilderment at my intense love for you,
Beats me all to heck that I'll never tend the farm,
It's a shame I must focus on loving you rather than fulfilling my duties as a farmer or with other mundane activities
Ever tend the farm when I wanna keep my arm about you.
I will always choose to be close to you and demonstrate my love instead of focusing on other responsibilities or distractions
(About you?)
Is there any other topic that deserves my attention besides my love for you?
About you.
My love for you consumes my thoughts and emotions
('Cause I love you,)
My love for you is the driving force behind my actions
You bet your pretty neck I do.
I love you now and always will
Doodle-oodle-oodle,
Repeating nonsensical interjection for added enthusiasm
Doodle-oodle-oodle,
Continuing with the same enthusiastic interjection
Doodle-oodle-oodle doo.
Final nonsensical interjection to end the song
Contributed by Thomas O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ivanna
A dos metros de ti... Abby
GUSTAVO YT
Me gusta mucho 😊
Marco Antonio
A dos metros de ti stella
Marco Antonio
@patri lloramos
Marco Antonio
@Laura Valencia <3
patri
Lloro
Laura Valencia
Pensé que era la unica