His biggest hits from the 1950s include "Portuguese Washerwomen", "Sam's Song", a cover of Del Wood's version of "Down Yonder", and the international hit "Zambezi". Some of the singles include his vocal backup group, the cleverly named The Carr Hopps. Often overlooked are several mainstream and jazz sides he recorded as Lou Busch, featuring exciting band or orchestral arrangements.
One Busch collaboration with Milton DeLugg, "Rollercoaster", became the closing theme of the TV panel show What's My Line? for the entirety of its original network run, from 1950 to 1967.
Cool
Lou Busch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sam wants to boil a ham,
Grace votes for Bouillabaisse stew.
Jake wants a weeny bake,
Steak and a layer cake,
He'll get a tummy ache too.
We'll rent a tent or tepee.
Let the town crier cry.
This is what I'll reply
In the cool, cool, cool of the evening
Tell 'em I'll be there
In the cool, cool, cool of the evening
Better save a chair
When the party's gettin' a glow on
And singin' fills the air
In the shank of the night
When the doin's are right
You can tell 'em I'll be there
"Whee" said the bumblebee,"
"Let's have a jubilee"
"When?" said the prairie hen, "Soon?"
"Shore" said the dinosaur.
"Where?" said the grizzly bear,
"Under the light of the moon?"
"How 'bout ya, brother jackass?"
Ev'ryone gaily cried,
"You comin' to the fracas?"
Over his specs he sighed
In the cool, cool, cool of the evening
Tell 'em I'll be there
In the cool, cool, cool of the evening
Slickum on my hair.
When the party's gettin' a glow on
And singin' fills the air
If I ain't in the clink,
And there's sumpin' to drink,
You can tell 'em I'll be there
The lyrics of Lou Busch's song "Cool in the Evening" paint a picture of a fun-filled party. Each stanza describes the food, drinks, and activities that people would love to have at the gathering. Sue wants a barbecue, Sam wants to boil a ham, Grace wants Bouillabaisse stew, and Jake wants a weeny bake with steak and a layer cake. The singer then suggests that they could rent a tent or tepee and have the town crier cry out the invitation. The chorus of the song is an invitation to the party, asking to save a seat for the singer in the cool of the evening when the party is in full swing and music fills the air.
The second verse features animals joining in on the fun. The bumblebee suggests having a jubilee, and the prairie hen asks when the party will take place. The dinosaur is all for it, asking where they should go, and the grizzly bear suggests under the light of the moon. Even the jackass is invited, and the responses are light-hearted and joyful. The chorus repeats, adding that the singer will be there with slickum on their hair, as long as they are not in jail and there is something to drink.
Overall, the song is a lively and playful invitation to a party, with suggestions for food, music, and activities that everyone will enjoy. It invites the listener to let loose and have fun, reminding them that the cool of the evening is the perfect time to do so.
Line by Line Meaning
Sue wants a barbecue,
Sue is interested in having a barbeque.
Sam wants to boil a ham,
Sam wants to boil a ham for the get-together.
Grace votes for Bouillabaisse stew.
Grace wants everyone to have Bouillabaisse stew.
Jake wants a weeny bake,
Jake wants to bake breadrolls with sausages inside.
Steak and a layer cake,
There will be steak and layer cake too.
He'll get a tummy ache too.
Jake could overeat and get a tummy ache.
We'll rent a tent or tepee.
They plan to shade themselves from the sun by renting a tent or tepee.
Let the town crier cry.
The town crier would announce the party.
And if it's RSVP
If the invitees could RSVP.
This is what I'll reply
This would be Sue's response.
In the cool, cool, cool of the evening
They plan to have the party in the evening.
Tell 'em I'll be there
Sue will attend the party.
Better save a chair
Sue wants a seat to be reserved for her.
When the party's gettin' a glow on
When the party has started and getting lively.
And singin' fills the air
They would have music and singing.
In the shank of the night
Late at night.
When the doin's are right
When everything at the party is going well.
You can tell 'em I'll be there
Again, Sue will be there.
"Whee" said the bumblebee,
A bumblebee is excited about the party.
"Let's have a jubilee"
Let's have a fun party.
"When?" said the prairie hen, "Soon?"
The prairie hen wants to know if the party is happening soon.
"Shore" said the dinosaur.
The dinosaur agrees to attend.
"Where?" said the grizzly bear,
The grizzly bear is asking where the party is taking place.
"Under the light of the moon?"
The dinosaur proposes that it should be under the light of the moon.
"How 'bout ya, brother jackass?"
The others ask the jackass if he is coming too.
Ev'ryone gaily cried,
The animals all agreed cheerfully.
"You comin' to the fracas?"
They're asking if the jackass is coming to the party.
Over his specs he sighed
The jackass reluctantly muttered something under his breath.
Slickum on my hair.
Sue will have something unique done to her hair.
If I ain't in the clink,
If Sue does not go to jail,
And there's sumpin' to drink,
And if there is something to drink,
You can tell 'em I'll be there
Sue will surely attend the party.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Hoagy Carmichael, Johnny Mercer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Maddocious
Ahh, I looove my mom's Ultra Lounge CD's. They're full of such great music, the kind you don't really get to hear anymore unless you recognize "Search for Vulcan" in Thunderball, as heard on Volume 7. Every time I listen to these CD's, it's like opening a door to a forgotten world.
Brian Kelly
It sounds like a more friendlier version of "Play It Cool" from West Side Story, at least the first part does.
Local Forearm
sounds like a train fight song
niefmer
This is what Quagmire listens to while getting ready for a date.
adelz 🩷
Hi lol anyone from 2021?
Marya
I'm from 2022 :)