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.
Oh How That German Could Love
Irving Berlin Lyrics
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And oh what a German was she
The best that was walking
Well what's the use talking
Was just made to order for me
So lovely, and witty, more yet she was pretty
You don't know until you have tried
She had such a figure, it couldn't be bigger
Oh how that German could love
With a feeling that came from the heart
She called me her honey, her angel, her money
She pushed ev'ry word out so smart
She spoke like a speaker
And oh what a speech
Like no other speaker could speak
Ach my what a German when
She kissed her Herman
It stayed on my cheek for a week
This girl could squeeze
And it never would hurt
For that lady knew just how to squeeze
Her loving was killing
More yet she was willing
You never would have to say please
I just couldn't stop her
For dinner and supper
Some kisses and hugs was the food
When she wasn't nice it was more better twice
When she's bad she was better than good
Oh how that German could love
With a sweetness that's sweeter than sweet
Just say what you please
You would hug and you'd squeeze
Just the shoes that she wore on her feet
Her smile was like money
That somebody owed you
That somebody wanted to give
When you felt like dying
And she started sighing
Ach my it was worthwhile to live
Sometimes we'd love for a week at a time
And it only would seem like a day
How well I remember, one night in December
I felt like the middle of May
I'll bet all I'm worth that
When she came on earth
All the angels went out on parade
No other one turned up
I think that they burned up
The pattern from which she was made
Oh how that German could love
With a love like you see in a play
When she said, "My dear
" it would ring in my ear
For a year, and a week and a day
Her no was like yes, and her yes was like no
It was something like yes, it was, well
When we got together ach donner und vetter
'Twas love with a capital "L"
"Oh How That German Could Love" is a playful and lighthearted song that celebrates the singer's affection for a German woman. The song emphasizes the woman's desirable qualities, both physically and personality-wise. She is described as lovely, witty, pretty, and having a perfect figure. The singer highlights her ability to express love and affection sincerely, with a feeling that comes from the heart. Her words are described as smart and articulate, and her kisses leave a lasting impression. The song also suggests that the woman is physically affectionate, knowing how to squeeze without causing pain. The singer emphasizes that even when she is bad, she is still better than good, suggesting a sense of excitement and unpredictability in their relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Once I got stuck on a sweet little German
I found myself deeply infatuated with a charming German
And oh what a German was she
She was truly remarkable
The best that was walking
The epitome of perfection
Well what's the use talking
There are no words to fully describe her
Was just made to order for me
She was perfectly suited for me
So lovely, and witty, more yet she was pretty
She possessed beauty, wit, and charm
You don't know until you have tried
Her true qualities can only be experienced
She had such a figure, it couldn't be bigger
Her figure was incredibly desirable
And there was some more yet beside
And there were even more wonderful attributes about her
Oh how that German could love
Her capacity for love was extraordinary
With a feeling that came from the heart
Her love was genuine and heartfelt
She called me her honey, her angel, her money
She showered me with affectionate terms and treated me like a treasure
She pushed ev'ry word out so smart
Her words were eloquent and cleverly expressed
She spoke like a speaker
Her speaking skills were exceptional
And oh what a speech
Her speeches were awe-inspiring
Like no other speaker could speak
No other speaker could match her abilities
Ach my what a German when
Oh, the way she behaved as a German
She kissed her Herman
When she affectionately kissed her beloved Herman
It stayed on my cheek for a week
The memory of her kiss lingered with me for a long time
This girl could squeeze
She had a talent for giving tight embraces
And it never would hurt
Her hugs were gentle and comforting
For that lady knew just how to squeeze
She had mastered the art of affectionate squeezing
Her loving was killing
Her love was so intense and passionate
More yet she was willing
Furthermore, she was always eager and enthusiastic
You never would have to say please
There was no need to ask for her affection or attention
I just couldn't stop her
I couldn't resist her advances
For dinner and supper
From mealtime until bedtime
Some kisses and hugs was the food
Kisses and hugs were the nourishment of our relationship
When she wasn't nice it was more better twice
Even when she was misbehaving, it was still more enjoyable than anything else
When she's bad she was better than good
Her bad behavior was still superior to anyone else's good behavior
With a sweetness that's sweeter than sweet
Her sweetness surpassed the ordinary concept of sweetness
Just say what you please
I could say anything I wanted
You would hug and you'd squeeze
And she would embrace and squeeze me
Just the shoes that she wore on her feet
Even the shoes she wore had an impact on me
Her smile was like money
Her smile was as valuable as money
That somebody owed you
Like someone owed it to you
That somebody wanted to give
And someone wanted to give it to you
When you felt like dying
During moments when you felt your lowest
And she started sighing
Her sighs brought comfort and solace
Ach my it was worthwhile to live
Oh, it made life truly worth living
Sometimes we'd love for a week at a time
There were occasions when our love lasted for a whole week
And it only would seem like a day
But it felt like a single day
How well I remember, one night in December
I have a vivid recollection of a December night
I felt like the middle of May
During that night, I felt vibrant and alive
I'll bet all I'm worth that
I am so certain
When she came on earth
That when she was born
All the angels went out on parade
Every angel came out to celebrate her arrival
No other one turned up
No other person compared
I think that they burned up
In my belief, they used up
The pattern from which she was made
The blueprint from which she was created
With a love like you see in a play
Her love resembled the passionate love depicted in theater plays
When she said, 'My dear
Whenever she addressed me as 'My dear'
It would ring in my ear
Her words would echo in my mind
For a year, and a week and a day
For an extended period of time
Her no was like yes, and her yes was like no
Her denials held the weight of affirmations, and her affirmations carried a touch of doubt
It was something like yes, it was, well
It was an ambiguous mixture of affirmation and uncertainty
When we got together ach donner und vetter
When we came together, oh my goodness
'Twas love with a capital 'L'
It was a love of the highest magnitude
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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