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.
Louisiana Purchase
Irving Berlin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll tell you what it means
It means I'd like to sell you New Orleans
Come on, come on and you all can go to town
Way down in New Orleans
Louisiana salesman with nothing in his jeans
That's why I'd like to sell you New Orleans
And do all the things there are
To do in New Orleans
Where does that heat come from?
That rhythmic beat come from?
And that red meat come from? New Orleans
Louisiana purchase, I told you what it means
So won't you let me sell you New Orleans?
Come on, come on and you all can go to town
Way down in New Orleans
The lyrics of Irving Berlin's song Louisiana Purchase describe the joyous feeling of basking in the warmth and beauty of a lovely day, with the hope that whatever tasks need to be accomplished can be done together. The singer expresses their desire to spend the day together, enjoying each other's company while completing whatever must be done. If something can only be done by one person, the singer acknowledges that there's nothing more to say, but they still recognize the loveliness of the day.
The lyrics take on a more hopeful tone in the third and fourth sections, with the singer suggesting that two heads are better than one, and expressing the desire for their company. They believe that they can accomplish whatever must be done together and happily proclaim that it is indeed a lovely day for saying so.
Overall, Louisiana Purchase is a nostalgic and romantic tribute to the magic of a beautiful day and the joy of spending it with someone special.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a lovely day today
The weather is pleasant today
So whatever you've got to do
You've got a lovely day to do it in, that's true
You have the advantage of good weather to accomplish your tasks
And I hope whatever you've got to do
Is something that can be done by two
For I'd really like to stay
I would prefer to spend my time with you doing something that we can do together
And whatever you've got to do
I'd be so happy to be doing it with you
I would be happy to accompany you to complete your task
But if you've got something that must be done
And it can only be done by one
There is nothing more to say
Except it's a lovely day for saying
It's a lovely day
If you have a task that cannot be done with assistance, then I will enjoy the lovely weather alone
And whatever I've got to do
I've got a lovely day to do it in, that's true
I also have a task to complete, but am grateful for the nice weather
But perhaps whatever I've got to do
Is something that can be done by two
If it is then you could stay
If my task can be completed with help, please stay and assist me
So I suppose there's nothing we can do
For if you've got something that must be done
And it can only be done by one
There is nothing more to say
Except it's a lovely day for saying
It's a lovely day
If both of our tasks cannot be completed together, we will have to enjoy the good weather separately
If you've something that must get done
Now don't forget two heads are better than just one
And besides I'm certain if you knew me
You'd find I'm very good company
Won't you kindly let me stay?
If you need to complete a task, I can offer two minds to work on the problem. Plus, I am good company and would love to stay
And whatever we've got to do
We've got a lovely day to do it in, that's true
And I know whatever we've got to do
Is something that can be done by two
I'll say it's a lovely day for saying
It's a lovely day
We both have tasks to complete, but we can do it together and enjoy the lovely weather. It's a great day to acknowledge how beautiful it is.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IRVING BERLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
JB1912JB
Thank-you for commenting. Your grandfather was a wonderfully talented actor and a great asset to any scene he ever played in. This is a most marvellous scene. Any actor will especially enjoy working on first-rate material and I think your grandfather's joy is beautifully marked upon his face. May God Bless you both.
hebneh
I remember watching this movie on TV many decades ago, but I don't remember this opening - which might very well have been cut for the 16mm film prints that were made for television showings from the 1950s through the '70s. Regardless, it's very rare that a movie openly acknowledges that it's a movie this way.
JacobMcandles
I have this on VHS & love it. Need a blueray version of these films with Bob Hope. :D
The Speedboy Float Company
One of my favorite openings to any show, Brilliant. Unfortunately, as per Hollywood, the pieces are butchered, especially "It's new to us". The original score of the stage show and the original performances are light years ahead of these chop jobs the movie provided. In any case, thanks for posting another Berlin gem.
Lj Spivak
For the record, the film was Louisiana Purchase, which was based on the Irving Berlin show of the same name. They kept the opening sequence for the film, as seen here. Unfortunately, they used almost nothing else from one of Berlin's finest scores. I know the production code wouldn't have let them use "Sex Marghes On," but why on Earth did they not use the exquisite "Fools Fall In Love," except as a bit of background music?
Alto Berto
Genius, sheer genius!
Mark Schaffer
Brilliant movie gem
JB1912JB
Hollywood was capable of making many odd choices. The Deanna Durbin film "Up in Central Park" somehow removed "Close as Pages in a Book." Unless these examples were somehow rights-issues or, as you say, censorship issues I really can't understand them.
JB1912JB
@dean1964100 Very, very sweet. Thank-yo so much for letting us know. God Bless you both.
JB1912JB
@frankietrent My pleasure. Glad you liked it!