I'm Putting All My Eggs In One Basket
Fred & Ginger Lyrics


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I've been a roaming Romeo
My Juliets have been many
But now my roaming days have gone
Too many irons in the fire
Is worse than not having any
I've had my share and from now on

I'm putting all my eggs in one basket
I'm betting everything I've got on you

I'm giving all my love to one baby
Heaven help me if my baby don't come through

I've got a great big amount
Saved up in my love account
Honey
And I've decided
Love divided
In two
Won't do

So
I'm putting all my eggs in one basket
I'm betting everything I've got on you

I'm putting all my eggs in one basket
I'm betting everything I've got on you

I'm giving all my love to one baby
Heaven help me if my baby don't come through

I've tried to love more than one
Finding it just can't be done
Honey
There's one I lie to
When I try to
Be true
To two

So




I'm putting all my eggs in one basket
I'm betting everything I've got on you

Overall Meaning

The song "I'm Putting All My Eggs In One Basket" is a romantic declaration expressing the singer's intent to fully commit himself to one woman after having been a "roaming Romeo" with many love interests. The first verse acknowledges the singer's past romantic exploits, but he recognizes that having "too many irons in the fire" is ultimately unsatisfying. The lyric "I've had my share and from now on" indicates that the singer has made the decision to change his ways, leading into the chorus where he declares that he is putting all of his love and trust into one person, betting everything he has on her.


The second verse reinforces this sentiment, with the singer expressing his devotion to one woman and acknowledging the risk that comes with investing all of his emotions in her. The lines "I've got a great big amount saved up in my love account" and "Love divided in two won't do" further emphasize the importance of focusing one's romantic energy on one person. In the final lines of the verse, the singer confesses that attempting to love more than one person has proven to be unsuccessful for him, leading him to commit fully to a singular love interest.


Overall, "I'm Putting All My Eggs In One Basket" is a playful, charming song about the joys and risks of falling in love. The lyrics express a sense of determination and optimism, driven by the belief that true happiness and fulfillment can only be found by committing fully to one person.


Line by Line Meaning

I've been a roaming Romeo
I've had many romantic pursuits


My Juliets have been many
I've had many women in my life


But now my roaming days have gone
I'm ready to settle down


Too many irons in the fire
Juggling too many things is a problem


Is worse than not having any
It's better to focus on one thing than to spread oneself too thin


I've had my share and from now on
I've had enough and I'm ready for a change


I'm putting all my eggs in one basket
I'm committing everything to you


I'm betting everything I've got on you
I'm willing to risk everything for you


I'm giving all my love to one baby
I'm focusing all my affection on you


Heaven help me if my baby don't come through
I'll be in trouble if you don't reciprocate my love


I've got a great big amount
I have a large reserve


Saved up in my love account
Of love that I'm willing to give


Honey
My dear


And I've decided
I've made up my mind


Love divided
Splitting my love


In two
Between two people


Won't do
Isn't working


I've tried to love more than one
I've attempted multiple romantic relationships


Finding it just can't be done
I've realized it's not possible


There's one I lie to
I'm not completely honest with one of them


When I try to
In my attempt to


Be true
Be faithful


To two
To both of them




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Irving Berlin

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

tuxguys

I thought I'd seen all of their numbers, but I'd never seen this one, and it's a SCREAM!
Astaire starts off with a bitchin' ragtime piano performance of this tune (and I've researched it, and it really is him playing), a performance the like of which Willie "the Lion" Smith himself could be proud...
Then Fred sings to Ginger and it's sweet...
...and then Ginger sings to Fred, and it's tender...
...and then they go into a riotous dance routine that can only be described as "Tap-Dance Slapstick."
(The ending actually had me laughing out loud.)
I came to this footage because I continue to grow in my appreciation of that LEGAL immigrant who came to these shores and enriched our culture as he added his own unique spice to our Cultural Melting-Pot, Irving Berlin:
Think about it...
This self-taught musician, for whom English was a second language, wrote not only crowd-pleasers like "White Christmas," "Easter Parade," and the genuinely patriotic "God Bless America," but also incredibly hip and harmonically-sophisticated show tunes that would become "society" staples and Jazz standards such as, "Let Yourself Go," "Let's Face the Music, and Dance," "Cheek to Cheek," and this one.
(And, he was a music-business genius: He was the first major songwriter to retain publishing rights/royalties to his own stuff, which meant that when he passed away in 1989, at the age of 101, he was FABULOUSLY WEALTHY.)



All comments from YouTube:

Massimo Bertola

This man played the piano at least as well as Erroll Garner and wasn't even a professional pianist. One of the very few absolute artists of the 20th century.

Lane County Bigfooters

I could watch Fred play the piano for hours. Such talent.

Edward De Jong

Although other dancers such as Eleanor Powell were more technically proficient than Ginger, the chemistry between these two is undeniably the best in hollywood history. They seem relaxed. One thing about art is you are supposed to make it look easy. And they do. Astaire was such a good singer. He really to me defines the 30's singing style.

John Ashtone

I loved Eleanor Powell, but I have to totally agree.

Chemistry is something that is impossible to beat.

YoureGonnaLoveMeWhenYouSeeMe

also. She is funny!

Patricia Wilson

Yeah,Eleanor was one of the greatest tap dancers who ever lived but,Ginger just had everything.Just look at this scene for example.Ginger projects so much personality here while she's dancing it is just astounding.
Ginger never forgot to keep acting while dancing and she was magnificent in every regard.
Besides which, she is so adorable here how can you not love her?

mrs. fleck

what the hell does Eleanor Powell have to do with this? you know you can give a female tap dancer praise without comparing her to Powell

Edward De Jong

@mrs. fleck I greatly prefer Ginger, no need to get touchy. My point was that although Powell and Miller were considered top tappers, Ginger was just great.

6 More Replies...

James Shubert

I'm always blown away whenever I see these older movie stars perform. The talent is simply amazing. I get very frustrated when I hear folks draw comparisons between scenes like this and what was filmed for 'La La Land". This is singing and dancing; that wasn't.

David Rosenblatt

Totally agree. I frankly hated every minute of La La Land and could never understand the appeal of it. To compare it to the old Hollywood musicals does the latter a disservice.

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