Berlin, who was Jewish, was one of the few Tin Pan Alley/Broadway songwriters who wrote both lyrics and music for his songs. Although he never learned to read music beyond a rudimentary level, he composed over 3,000 songs. Many of his songs, including "God Bless America", "White Christmas", "Alexander's Ragtime Band", and "There's No Business Like Show Business," left an indelible mark on American music and culture. He produced 17 film scores and 21 Broadway scores, in addition to his individual songs.
Follow the Fleet: I’m Putting All My Eggs in One Basket
Irving Berlin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My Juliets have been many
But now my roaming days have gone
Too many irons in the fire
Is worse than not having any
I've had my share and from now on:
I'm putting all my eggs in one basket
I'm giving all my love to one baby
Heaven help me if my baby don't come through
I've got a great big amount
Saved up in my love account
Honey
And I've decided
Love divided
In two
Won't do
So
I'm putting all my eggs in one basket
I'm betting everything I've got on you
I've been a roaming Juliet
My Romeos have been many
But now my roaming days have gone
Too many irons in the fire
Is worse than not having any
I've had my share and from now on:
I'm putting all my eggs in one basket
I'm betting everything I've got on you
I'm giving all my love to one baby
Heaven help me if my baby don't come through
I've tried to love more than one
Finding it just can't be done
Honey
There's one I lie to
When I try to
Be true
To two
So
I'm putting all my eggs in one basket
I'm betting everything I've got on you
The lyrics to Irving Berlin's song Follow the Fleet: I'm Putting All My Eggs in One Basket speak of the realization that the singer has had when it comes to love. He has been a "roaming Romeo," loving many women in the past, but he has now found the true love of his life and is "putting all his eggs in one basket," betting everything he's got on her. He recognizes that having too many options or "irons in the fire" is worse than having none at all. He has learned that love divided in two won't do, and he needs to focus all of his energy and affection on one person.
The perspective shifts in the second verse, with the singer now portraying a once-roaming Juliet who has also realized that she needs to focus her love on one person. She has learned that trying to love more than one person is impossible and that it's better to give all of her love to one baby. The stakes are high for both of them, as evidenced by the line "Heaven help me if my baby don't come through."
Overall, the song is a sweet declaration of love and emphasizes the importance of committing to one person fully. The metaphor of putting all one's eggs in one basket suggests that the choice to love one person completely involves risk, but one that is worth taking.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been a roaming Romeo
I've been a player, going from one romantic conquest to another.
My Juliets have been many
I've had a lot of romantic partners.
But now my roaming days have gone
I'm done being a player, I want to settle down with one person.
Too many irons in the fire
Trying to do too many things at once can lead to failure.
Is worse than not having any
It's better to focus on one thing than to spread yourself too thin.
I've had my share and from now on:
I've had enough of playing the field, I'm ready to commit to one person.
I'm putting all my eggs in one basket
I'm committing all my resources and emotions to one person.
I'm betting ev'rything I've got on you
I'm putting all my trust and hope in you.
I'm giving all my love to one baby
I'm choosing to love and prioritize one person.
Heaven help me if my baby don't come through
I'm all in, and if this doesn't work out, I'm going to be heartbroken.
I've got a great big amount
I have a lot of emotional resources.
Saved up in my love account
I've been saving my love and affection for the right person.
Honey
Term of endearment, used to address the partner.
And I've decided
I've made a firm choice.
Love divided
Splitting my love between multiple people.
In two
Between two people.
Won't do
It's not going to work for me.
I've been a roaming Juliet
I've been playing the field, going from one romantic conquest to another.
My Romeos have been many
I've had a lot of romantic partners.
I've tried to love more than one
I've attempted to love multiple people.
Finding it just can't be done
I've discovered that loving more than one person is not possible for me.
There's one I lie to
I'm not being truthful about my love for the other person.
When I try to
When I attempt to be truthful.
Be true
Be honest and faithful.
To two
To two people.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IRVING BERLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
tuxguys
I thought I'd seen all of their numbers, but I'd never seen this one, and it's a SCREAM!
Astaire starts off with a bitchin' ragtime piano performance of this tune (and I've researched it, and it really is him playing), a performance the like of which Willie "the Lion" Smith himself could be proud...
Then Fred sings to Ginger and it's sweet...
...and then Ginger sings to Fred, and it's tender...
...and then they go into a riotous dance routine that can only be described as "Tap-Dance Slapstick."
(The ending actually had me laughing out loud.)
I came to this footage because I continue to grow in my appreciation of that LEGAL immigrant who came to these shores and enriched our culture as he added his own unique spice to our Cultural Melting-Pot, Irving Berlin:
Think about it...
This self-taught musician, for whom English was a second language, wrote not only crowd-pleasers like "White Christmas," "Easter Parade," and the genuinely patriotic "God Bless America," but also incredibly hip and harmonically-sophisticated show tunes that would become "society" staples and Jazz standards such as, "Let Yourself Go," "Let's Face the Music, and Dance," "Cheek to Cheek," and this one.
(And, he was a music-business genius: He was the first major songwriter to retain publishing rights/royalties to his own stuff, which meant that when he passed away in 1989, at the age of 101, he was FABULOUSLY WEALTHY.)
Massimo Bertola
This man played the piano at least as well as Erroll Garner and wasn't even a professional pianist. One of the very few absolute artists of the 20th century.
Lane County Bigfooters
I could watch Fred play the piano for hours. Such talent.
Edward De Jong
Although other dancers such as Eleanor Powell were more technically proficient than Ginger, the chemistry between these two is undeniably the best in hollywood history. They seem relaxed. One thing about art is you are supposed to make it look easy. And they do. Astaire was such a good singer. He really to me defines the 30's singing style.
John Ashtone
I loved Eleanor Powell, but I have to totally agree.
Chemistry is something that is impossible to beat.
YoureGonnaLoveMeWhenYouSeeMe
also. She is funny!
Patricia Wilson
Yeah,Eleanor was one of the greatest tap dancers who ever lived but,Ginger just had everything.Just look at this scene for example.Ginger projects so much personality here while she's dancing it is just astounding.
Ginger never forgot to keep acting while dancing and she was magnificent in every regard.
Besides which, she is so adorable here how can you not love her?
mrs. fleck
what the hell does Eleanor Powell have to do with this? you know you can give a female tap dancer praise without comparing her to Powell
Edward De Jong
@mrs. fleck I greatly prefer Ginger, no need to get touchy. My point was that although Powell and Miller were considered top tappers, Ginger was just great.
James Shubert
I'm always blown away whenever I see these older movie stars perform. The talent is simply amazing. I get very frustrated when I hear folks draw comparisons between scenes like this and what was filmed for 'La La Land". This is singing and dancing; that wasn't.
David Rosenblatt
Totally agree. I frankly hated every minute of La La Land and could never understand the appeal of it. To compare it to the old Hollywood musicals does the latter a disservice.