Teach Me Tonight
Jo Stafford Lyrics

Did you say (that) I've got a lot to learn
Acknowledges that the singer has a lot to learn according to someone else.

Well don't think I'm trying not to learn
Asserts that the singer is willing to learn and is not intentionally avoiding it.

Since this is the perfect spot to learn
Acknowledges that the current environment is conducive to learning.

Teach me tonight
Asks to be taught immediately.

Starting with the ABC of it
Indicates a desire to learn the most basic aspects of the subject matter.

Getting right down to the XYZ of it
Indicates a desire to learn the most advanced aspects of the subject matter.

Help me solve the mystery of it
Asks for assistance in understanding a difficult or complex aspect of the subject matter.

Teach me tonight
Reiterates the request to be taught immediately.

The sky's a blackboard high above you
Metaphorically compares the night sky to a blackboard.

And if a shooting star goes by
Indicates a specific scenario in which the previous line could be acted upon.

I'll use that star to write "I love you"
Continues the previous metaphor for a romantic purpose.

A thousand times across the sky
Hyperbolizes the romantic gesture for emphasis.

One thing isn't very clear my love
Admits confusion or uncertainty about something.

Teachers shouldn't stand so near my love
Jokingly protests against the proximity of the teacher.

Graduation's almost here my love
Implies a sense of urgency to learn before graduation.

You'd better teach me tonight
Reiterates the request to be taught immediately with added emphasis.

I've played loves scenes in a flick or two
Asserts experience in acting romantic scenes in movies.

And I've also met a chick or two
Asserts experience in meeting and interacting with women.

But I still can learn a trick or two
Acknowledges that there is still room for improvement in romantic skills.

Hey teach me tonight
Reiterates the request to be taught immediately in a casual manner.

I who thought I knew the score of it
Admits a misguided assumption of mastery in the subject matter.

Kind of think I should know much more of it
Expresses a desire to know more than previously thought.

Off the wall, the bed, the floor of it
Indicates a desire to learn every aspect of the subject matter, even unconventional ones.

Hey teach me tonight
Reiterates the request to be taught immediately with a casual tone.

The midnight hours come slowly creeping
Sets the scene for a quiet and intimate moment.

When there's no one there but you
Specifies the presence of only the teacher and the singer.

There must be more to life than sleeping
Expresses dissatisfaction with the current state of life.

Single in a bed for two
Acknowledges the loneliness of sleeping alone in a shared bed.

What I need most is post graduate
Metaphorically compares the desired level of knowledge to a graduate degree.

What I feel is hard to articulate
Admits difficulty in expressing emotions or thoughts.

If you want me to matriculate
Suggests that the teacher is responsible for the singer's success or progress in the subject matter.

You'd better teach me tonight
Reiterates the urgency to be taught immediately with added emphasis.

What do you get for lessons
Asks about the reward or benefit of being taught.

Teach me - come on and teach me - teach me tonight
Reiterates the request to be taught immediately in a passionate and persistent manner.