Play A Simple Melody
Gary Crosby & Friend Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like my mother sang to me?
One with a good old fashioned harmony
Play some simple melody
Musical demon, set your honey a dreamin'
Won't you play me some rag?
Just change that classical nag to some sweet beautiful drag
If you will play from a copy of a tune that is choppy
You'll get all my applause
And that is simply because I wanna listen to rag
Musical demon, set your honey a dreamin'
Won't you play me some rag?
Just change that classical nag to some sweet beautiful drag
If you will play from a copy of a tune that is choppy
You'll get all my applause
And that is simply because I wanna listen to rag
Musical demon, set your honey a dreamin'
Won't you play me some rag?
Just change that classical nag to some sweet beautiful drag
If you will play from a copy of a tune that is choppy
You'll get all my applause
And that is simply because I wanna listen to rag
Play from a copy of a tune that is choppy
You'll get all of my applause because
I wanna rag it, ragtime melody
The song "Play A Simple Melody" by Gary Crosby and Friend is a playful request for a musical demonstration that is rooted in nostalgia. The singer wants the musician to play a tune like the one his or her mother sang, with a simple but catchy harmony. The musical demon referenced in the first verse is a metaphorical expression for a skilled musician who has the power to enchant listeners with their playing. The song includes a reference to classical music, but the singer wants to hear ragtime, a genre that was popular in the early 1900s.
The second verse takes on a more assertive tone, with the singer insisting that the musician change the classical piece they were playing into something more modern and upbeat. The singer encourages the use of a choppy tune that will get them the applause they want, emphasizing their desire for a ragtime melody. The final verse repeats the central message of the song, with a playful use of repetition and rhyme. The song is fun and light-hearted, underscoring the joy of music.
Line by Line Meaning
Won't you play some simple melody
Please play a simple tune
Like my mother sang to me?
Similar to the tune my mother sang to me
One with a good old fashioned harmony
A tune with a traditional harmony
Play some simple melody
Play another easy to play melody
Musical demon, set your honey a dreamin'
Talented musician, play a tune that will make your loved one dream
Won't you play me some rag?
Can you play me some ragtime music?
Just change that classical nag to some sweet beautiful drag
Replace boring classical music with more exciting drag music
If you will play from a copy of a tune that is choppy
If you can play a rough sounding melody by reading sheet music
You'll get all my applause
You will earn my admiration
And that is simply because I wanna listen to rag
Because I would like to hear ragtime music
Play from a copy of a tune that is choppy
Again, play a rough sounding melody by reading sheet music
You'll get all of my applause because
You will earn all of my admiration because
I wanna rag it, ragtime melody
I want to hear ragtime music
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Irving Berlin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@holyspacemonkey
One of my favorites!
@JamesS001
Hello Nicole, how are things going with you?
@JustAdumbASMRchannel
I remember Morcambe and Wise doing this song in a skit with Elton John probably in 1976, 😂
@songwriteroc
Good stuff here !!!
@Beverley617
I remember my Grandad singing this
@47rintin1
And now you're a grandma.
@Beverley617
@@47rintin1 no I'm not 😃
@47rintin1
@@Beverley617 Don't know if I need to say I'm sorry.
@Beverley617
@@47rintin1 no problem
@JamesS001
@@47rintin1 Hello Jan, how are things going with you?