Her second husband was the dancer and choreographer, Bob Fosse.
Nowadays
Gwen Verdon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Isn't it grand? Isn't it great?
Isn't it swell? Isn't it fun?
Isn't it? Nowadays
There's men
Everywhere jazz, everywhere booze
Everywhere life, everywhere joy
You can like the life you're livin'
You can live the life you like
You can even marry Harry
But mess around with Ike
And that's good
Isn't it grand? Isn't it great?
Isn't it swell? Isn't it fun?
Ladies and gentlemen, the Vickers theater
Chicago's finest finest home of family entertainment
Is proud to announce a first
The first time, anywhere there has been an act of this nature
Not only one little lady but two!
You've read about them in the papers
And now here they are a double header!
Chicago's own killer, drillers those two scintillating sinners
Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly
You can like the life you're livin'
You can live the life you like
You can even marry Harry
But mess around with Ike
And that's good
Isn't it grand? Isn't it great?
Isn't it swell? Isn't it fun?
Isn't it?
But nothing stays in fifty years or so
It's gonna change, you know
But oh, it's heaven
Nowadays
The song "Nowadays" is performed by Gwen Verdon and Chita Rivera in the musical "Chicago". The song is a commentary on the state of society, especially on how people view and experience life. The lyrics in the first and second stanzas suggest that the current time period is filled with fun and excitement, with jazz, booze, life, and joy present everywhere. The song emphasizes the free-spirited nature of the time period and how people are encouraged to enjoy the life they're living.
The third stanza, however, has a slightly different message. The lyrics suggest that one may like the life they're living and even marry someone they love, like Harry, but it's not good to mess around with someone else, like Ike. This part of the song implies that while society may seem free, there are still rules and social norms to follow.
The song ends with the acknowledgment that nothing lasts forever, and society will change, but for now, people should enjoy the freedom and joy that exists in the present. The song celebrates the free-spirited nature of the time period and encourages people to enjoy life while it lasts.
Line by Line Meaning
It's good
Isn't it pleasant, enjoyable, or satisfactory?
Isn't it grand? Isn't it great?
Is it not wonderful, magnificent, and impressive?
Isn't it swell? Isn't it fun?
Is it not excellent, cool, and entertaining?
Isn't it? Nowadays
Isn't it true in the present time or currently?
There's men
There are males or gentlemen
Everywhere jazz, everywhere booze
Jazz music and alcoholic drinks are present all around
Everywhere life, everywhere joy
Life is full of happiness and enjoyment everywhere
Everywhere, nowadays
Every place, currently
You can like the life you're livin'
You have the freedom to enjoy the life you have
You can live the life you like
You have the power to choose the life you want to live
You can even marry Harry
You can get married to Harry, a theoretical person
But mess around with Ike
But getting involved with Ike, another theoretical person, could be risky
And that's good
And that's acceptable or appropriate
But nothing stays in fifty years or so
However, things change over a period of fifty years or so
It's gonna change, you know
It's inevitable that things will change, and you're aware of it
But oh, it's heaven
But oh, it's paradisiacal or divine
Nowadays
Currently or present time
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: FRED EBB, JOHN KANDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
hosper2791
Since I started watching the miniseries I also started to look for Gwen Verdon videos and I've become a huge fan. She had an immense class, talent, humour, style.
Alexis
The reaction when Gwen appeared. These two together...magic. ❤️
honey west
You can’t get better than Chita and Gwen !!!
Roland Chavez
Chicago was one of the first shows I ever went to. I was dying to see Gwen Verndon. I remember when I went to see Chicago I started crying cause Gwen was sick and this "Lisa" girl was doing her part. My parents said don't you like the wizard of Oz? I said of course what does that have to do with anything? Well the girl filling in for Gwen is Dorothy's daughter and her name is Liza. She was incredible. Became a life long fan. Love that she is in the video doing the introduction.
magdivamexican
😢😭😭
Fossellini
Huh? Seriously? Liza was already an Oscar winner (for 1972's CABARET) when she filled in for Gwen Verdon during the summer of 1975 for several weeks while Gwen was out recuperating from minor vocal surgery. The show was suffering at the box office due to the overwhelming success of A CHORUS LINE a few blocks away so Bob Fosse was worried the box office sales would drop with Gwen being out of the show. As a favor to Bob Fosse, Liza Minnelli agreed to fill in (with no advance announcement) for a few weeks which brought attention to the show and helped tickets sales so when Gwen finally returned, the show had nice footing gained from Liza doing the show. The show ran for 2 years (closing in August 1977).
Roland Chavez
@Fossellini I was only ten at this time. I'm afraid at that point I was not allowed to see Cabaret when it came out since I was seven. I did see Damn Yankees on TV and fell in love with Gwen. I got all A on my report card and my reward was to see any show I wanted. My parents thought I would pick The Magic Show, but I said Chicago! A deal is a deal so Chicago it was.
Fossellini
@Roland Chavez - Dunno. I was also 10 when CHICAGO opened on Broadway in June 1975 and I was quite aware of Liza Minnelli and her association with Bob Fosse -- she not only did CABARET with him but her NBC TV Special "Liza with a Z" aired in 1972 (when I was 7) and they were on TV together quite a bit. He even directed/co-choreographed her 1974 Broadway show LIZA (at the Winter Garden Theatre) and all this was way before CHICAGO opened. Again, I'm your age and I was aware of ALL of this and I lived in Miami at the time -- not NYC. Oh, and yes... I was quite aware that Liza was Judy Garland's daughter as well. This was made privy to me when I watched her on TV doing press for CABARET.
Doreen Leikel
Gwen ... She lights up a stage 🥰
Louise Toole
Fosse Verdon introduced me to Gwen Verdon. The true star of dance. I wish I could have seen her live, but the videos show me her greatness.