He wrote most of his vocal and theatrical works, including more than a dozen Broadway shows, in collaboration with his elder brother, lyricist Ira Gershwin.
George Gershwin composed music for both Broadway and the classical concert hall, as well as popular songs that brought his work to an even wider public. His compositions have been used in numerous films and on television, and many became jazz standards recorded in numerous variations. Countless singers and musicians have recorded Gershwin songs.
Ira Gershwin (December 6, 1896 – August 17, 1983) was an American lyricist who collaborated with his younger brother, composer George Gershwin, to create some of the most memorable songs of the 20th century.[1]
The success the brothers had with their collaborative works has often overshadowed the creative role that Ira played. However, his mastery of songwriting continued after the early death of George. He wrote additional hit songs with composers Jerome Kern ("Long Ago (and Far Away)"), Kurt Weill and Harold Arlen.
Bidin' My Time
George and Ira Gershwin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cause that's the kinda guy I'm
While other folks grow dizzy
I keep busy
Bidin' my time.
Next year, next year,
Somethin's bound to happen,
I'll just keep on nappin'
And bidin' my time
Cause that's the kinda guy I'm.
There's no regrettin'
When I'm settin'
Bidin' my time.
The lyrics to Bidin' My Time #2 by George and Ira Gershwin speak of a character who is content with the pace of life and is in no hurry to chase after success or opportunities. The singer is "biding their time," a colloquialism that means waiting patiently for the right moment or opportunity to come along. While others may be striving for success or growth, the singer is content with keeping busy and waiting for things to fall into place.
The lines "Next year, next year, somethin's bound to happen / This year, this year, I'll just keep on nappin'" express this attitude of patient waiting. The singer is not interested in chasing after success or trying to make things happen immediately. They are willing to wait for the right opportunity to come along in due course. The lines "There's no regretting / When I'm settin' / Bidin' my time" reinforce this idea of contentment with waiting and highlight the lack of regrets the singer has about their approach to life.
Line by Line Meaning
But I'm bidin' my time,
I'm taking my time and waiting patiently.
Cause that's the kinda guy I'm
It's my nature to be patient and not rush things.
While other folks grow dizzy
Others get restless and impatient.
I keep busy
But I find things to do that aren't rushed.
Next year, next year,
I'm expecting something to happen in the future.
Somethin's bound to happen,
I feel like something good is going to come my way.
This year, this year,
But for now, in the present...
I'll just keep on nappin'
...I'm going to relax and take it easy.
And bidin' my time
And continue to wait patiently.
Cause that's the kinda guy I'm.
Because that's just who I am.
There's no regrettin'
I don't regret taking things slowly.
When I'm settin'
When I'm relaxed and comfortable,
Bidin' my time.
I'll continue to wait patiently.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nicole K.
Absolutely one of the best musical sequences ever put on film. Everyone involved was at the top of their games - the Gershwins, Garland, Rooney and Taurog.
Broadway Classics
I love the surrealism of the floating guitar!
Beth Heinecamp
I agree!!! Such creativity, a wonderful arrangement, just heavenly. :)
Stan Kimer
Musically and choreographically spectacular ... I love everything about this masterpiece.
Always Blake
You can sometimes forget how beautiful she was. You can't take your eyes off of her.
Jonathan Kieran
Gobble blake ... Amen. I never got that whole trope about Garland as some kind of “ugly duckling.” I think that’s a total myth that started after her death, when journalists quoted people who remembered that she had insecurities about her looks. (What normal woman doesn’t?) But my grandparents grew up in her era, when she was the biggest musical box-office star/singer, and they spoke of her as very pretty. One of Hollywood’s glamorous greats—with mesmerizing talent. But very pretty. That being said, my grandparents also stated that it was very difficult and discomfiting to watch such a beloved figure from their own youth deteriorate so visibly and self-destructively toward the end of her days. My Gran said it was downright awkward, for example, to watch her guest-star on TV shows, being so obviously ill, in the late ‘60s. She said people of her generation found it tough to grasp how someone who had been so lovely, so successful, with so much talent, could just implode in front of everyone’s eyes. She made people feel ill-at-ease, I gather. But they made it clear that, in her prime, she was adored by all: “Everyone loved Judy. What kind of person couldn’t love that beautiful, gifted girl?”
tiger maximus
@Jonathan Kieran i know. i love judy myself. i gro up watching her.
Bobby Wimsy
Perfect campaign song for Joe.
Stan Kimer
@Bobby Wimsy Yes ... instead of Bidin' My Time it is "Biden THIS time!"
Pabu May
If you want to see the soon to be dead Judy watch the famous 1960 movie "Judgement at Nuremberg ", not the later mini series with Alex " I didn't shoot anyone " Baldwin. The latter is a pathetically childish production.