John Herndon "Johnny" Mercer (18 November 1909 – 25 June 1976) is regarded … Read Full Bio ↴John Herndon "Johnny" Mercer (18 November 1909 – 25 June 1976) is regarded as one of America's greatest songwriters. He is best known as a lyricist, but he also composed music. He was also a popular singer who recorded his own songs as well as those written by others. From the mid-1930s through the mid-1950s, many of the songs Mercer wrote and performed were among the most popular hits of the time. He wrote the lyrics to more than fifteen hundred songs, including compositions for movies and Broadway shows. He received nineteen Academy Award nominations, and won four. Mercer was also a co-founder of Capitol Records.

Lulu's Back In Town
Johnny Mercer Lyrics

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Where's that careless chambermaid?
Where'd she put my razor blade?
She mislaid it, I'm afraid,
It's gotta be foun'!
Ask her when she cleaned my room
What she did with my perfume;
I just can't lose it,
I've gotta use it,

'Cause Lulu's back in town.

Gotta get my old tuxedo pressed,
Gotta sew a button on my vest,
'Cause tonight I've gotta look my best,
Lulu's back in town.
Gotta get a half a buck somewhere,
Gotta shine my shoes and slick my hair,
Gotta get myself a boutonniere,
Lulu's back in town.
You can tell all my pets,
All my Harlem coquettes;
Mister Otis regrets
That he won't be aroun'.
You can tell the mailman not to call,
I ain't comin' home until the fall,
And I might not get back home at all,
Lulu's back in town.

You can bet I've got it bad,
Best complaint I've ever had;
We'll be stepping out tonight,
An' struttin', an' how.
We're in for the swellest time,
Finish up without a dime;
Look here, you fellers,
I'll make you jealous,
My Lulu, she's a wow.

Gotta get my old tuxedo pressed,
Gotta sew a button on my vest,
'Cause tonight I've gotta look my best,
Lulu's back in town.
Gotta get a half a buck somewhere,
Gotta shine my shoes and slick my hair,
Gotta get myself a boutonniere,
Lulu's back in town.
You can tell all my pets,
All my blondes and brunettes;
Mister Otis regrets
That he won't be aroun'.
You can tell the mailman not to call,
I ain't comin' home until the fall,

And I might not get back home at all,
Lulu's back in town.

Overall Meaning

In Johnny Mercer's song Lulu's Back in Town, the singer is getting ready to go out because Lulu has returned to town. The first verse finds him searching for his razor blade and perfume, which were misplaced by his chambermaid. The urgency in his voice shows how important it is for him to look and smell his best for Lulu. The second verse continues with the singer's preparations, including getting his tuxedo pressed, fixing a button on his vest, and even getting a boutonniere. He doesn't want to disappoint Lulu and wants to make the best impression possible.

The final verse highlights the singer's deep infatuation with Lulu. He feels the "best complaint" he's ever had because of how much he wants to be with her. He promises that they will have a great time and that Lulu is a "wow" that will make all his friends jealous. The lyrics capture the excitement and anticipation of wanting to impress someone you admire and care about deeply.

Line by Line Meaning

Where's that careless chambermaid?
I am searching for the chambermaid who may have carelessly misplaced my razor blade.

Where'd she put my razor blade?
I need my razor blade and I do not know where it is.

She mislaid it, I'm afraid,
I fear that the chambermaid lost or misplaced my razor blade.

It's gotta be foun'!
I must find my razor blade.

Ask her when she cleaned my room
Please ask the chambermaid about the location of my perfume when she last cleaned my room.

What she did with my perfume;
I am looking for my perfume and I want to know where it is.

I just can't lose it,
I cannot afford to misplace my perfume.

I've gotta use it,
I must have my perfume for a special occasion.

'Cause Lulu's back in town.
I need my razor blade and perfume because someone special, Lulu, is back in town.

Gotta get my old tuxedo pressed,
I need to have my tuxedo cleaned and pressed.

Gotta sew a button on my vest,
A button fell off my vest and I need to sew it back on.

'Cause tonight I've gotta look my best,
I need to dress up and look my best for a special occasion tonight.

Gotta get a half a buck somewhere,
I need to find half a dollar somewhere as I may be short on cash.

Gotta shine my shoes and slick my hair,
I must clean my shoes and style my hair before going out.

Gotta get myself a boutonniere,
I need to buy a decorative flower for my tuxedo jacket.

Lulu's back in town.
I am getting ready and putting in the extra effort because Lulu is back in town.

You can tell all my pets,
Please inform all my friends.

All my Harlem coquettes;
Please let my friends in Harlem know.

Mister Otis regrets
I, Otis, apologize.

That he won't be aroun'.
I may not be available to see my friends.

You can tell the mailman not to call,
Please inform the mailman that I may not be home.

I ain't comin' home until the fall,
I may not return home until fall.

And I might not get back home at all,
I may not return home at all.

You can bet I've got it bad,
I am deeply in love.

Best complaint I've ever had;
This is the best feeling I have ever had.

We'll be stepping out tonight,
We will be going out tonight.

An' struttin', an' how.
We will be walking with pride and confidence.

We're in for the swellest time,
We will have a fantastic time.

Finish up without a dime;
We will still have a great time even if we run out of money.

Look here, you fellers,
Listen to me, my friends.

I'll make you jealous,
I will cause you to feel envious.

My Lulu, she's a wow.
Lulu is amazing and impressive.

All my blondes and brunettes;
Please inform all my friends, regardless of hair color.

Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: AL DUBIN, HARRY WARREN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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