Beginner
Fred Astaire The RKO Radio Studio Orchestra / George & Ira Gershwin Lyrics

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At any gambling casino
From Monte Carlo to Reno,
They tell you that a beginner
Comes out a winner.
Beginner fishing for flounder
Will catch a seventeen pounder;
That's what I've always heard
And always thought absurd,

But now I believe every word!

For I've got beginner's luck;
The first time I'm in love
I'm in love with you,
Gosh I'm lucky!

I've got beginner's luck;
There never was such a smile
Or such eyes of blue,
Gosh I'm fortunate!

This thing we've begun
Is much more than a pastime,
For this time is the one
Where the first time is the last time!

I've got beginner's luck,
Lucky through and through,
For the first time that I'm in love,
I'm in love with you!

I've got beginner's luck;
The first time I'm in love
I'm in love with you,
Gosh I'm lucky!

I've got beginner's luck;
They told me beginners win,
Now I know it's true,
Gosh I'm fortunate!

This thing we've begun
Is much more than a pastime,
For this time is the one
Where the first time is the last time!

I've got beginner's luck,
Lucky through and through,

For the first time that I'm in love,
I'm in love with you!

Overall Meaning

The song "Beginner's Luck" is a love song sung by Fred Astaire. The song talks about how beginner's luck can yield unexpected results, and how this luck has led him to fall in love for the first time with a woman with whom he feels lucky to be in love. The lyrics refer to the idea that a beginner can have more luck than someone who has more experience. It is suggested that anyone starting out at the casino with a game of chance or even fishing can come out a winner, even catching a larger fish than they ever thought possible. The singer expresses that he feels fortunate to have fallen in love for the first time with a woman with whom he feels lucky to be in love.

The lyrics also suggest that love is more than just a pastime, and that the first love is often the last one. The singer acknowledges the idea that others had told him that beginners win and he now sees this to be true as he has fallen in love for the first time. The song also talks about how the singer has never felt so lucky before.

Overall, the song is a classic romantic tune that talks about the feeling of falling in love for the first time and how it feels like beginner's luck to find someone so special.

Line by Line Meaning

At any gambling casino
Regardless of the location of the casino

From Monte Carlo to Reno,
Even in the famous gambling cities like Monte Carlo and Reno

They tell you that a beginner
People say that someone new to the game

Comes out a winner.
Wins often and early

Beginner fishing for flounder
Someone new to fishing specifically for flounder

Will catch a seventeen pounder;
Will catch an unusually large flounder

That's what I've always heard
I've heard this type of saying before

And always thought absurd,
And always found it ridiculous

But now I believe every word!
But now I am convinced it's true

For I've got beginner's luck;
Because I have stumbled upon beginner's luck

The first time I'm in love
The very first time I've fallen in love