The Thing
Fred Astaire & Bing Crosby Lyrics


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Great big houses with great big rooms
Were not fashioned for brides and grooms
A little place is where we should be
Great big troubles and great big cares
Come from houses with marble stairs
A little place for you and for me

Just a little room or two can more than do a little man and wife
That's if they're contented with the little things in life

Living on a larger scale would soon entail a lot of care and strife
We could be so happy with the little things in life

A little rain, a little sun, a little work, a little fun
A little time for loving when the day is done





And a little thing that cries for lullabies could make a man and wife
Tell the world how much they love the little things in life

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby's song, "The Thing," expresses a philosophy that happiness can be found in the "little things in life." The song highlights how great big houses with great big rooms are not meant for marriages to exist, but instead suggest that a little place, a little room for two would suffice to ensure happiness in a relationship. In the same vein, they say that great big troubles and great big cares come from owning houses with marble stairs. The artists suggest that a little place could provide the ideal setting for both contentment and happiness.


The song is quite simple, suggesting that a little house and a little place can provide a happy environment for individuals or couples. They emphasize the importance of contentment and the importance of not aspiring to live on a larger scale since it would entail care and strife. The lyrics state that individuals, as well as couples, can achieve happiness from simple things like little rain, little work, little sun, and little fun. The song concludes that a little thing that cries for lullabies can make a man and woman express to the world how much they love the little things in life.


Line by Line Meaning

Great big houses with great big rooms
The luxurious lifestyle that comes with big houses is not what newlyweds need


Were not fashioned for brides and grooms
Such houses were not designed to cater to the needs of a newlywed couple


A little place is where we should be
Newly wed couples should consider settling down in a modest home


Great big troubles and great big cares
Living extravagantly comes with a lot of problems and worries


Come from houses with marble stairs
These troubles are often associated with affluent lifestyles


A little place for you and for me
A humble abode is a more suitable and peaceful option for a newly wed couple


Just a little room or two can more than do a little man and wife
A few rooms are enough to cater to the needs of a newlywed couple


That's if they're contented with the little things in life
Satisfaction with the simple things in life is key to happiness in a marriage


Living on a larger scale would soon entail a lot of care and strife
Maintaining an extravagant lifestyle requires a lot of effort and difficulty


We could be so happy with the little things in life
Couples in modest living arrangements can find great joy in the simple things in life


A little rain, a little sun, a little work, a little fun
It only takes a little variety to enjoy life


A little time for loving when the day is done
Spending time together is crucial for marital happiness


And a little thing that cries for lullabies could make a man and wife
Having and caring for children can bring immense joy to a marriage


Tell the world how much they love the little things in life
Couples in modest living arrangements should be proud of their contentment with the simple things in life




Lyrics © IMAGEM U.S. LLC
Written by: IRVING BERLIN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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