Matt Monro (December 1, 1930 - February 7, 1985) was a ballad singer of th… Read Full Bio ↴Matt Monro (December 1, 1930 - February 7, 1985) was a ballad singer of the 1960s and one of great international postwar entertainers. Throughout his 30-year career he filled cabarets, nightclubs, music halls and stadiums across the globe, from Australia, Japan, the Philippines, and Hong Kong to Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas. He sold more than 25 million records during his lifetime (most of those sales however didn't come until after his death), imbuing each one with his elegant blend of majesty, sincerity, and superior technique.

Lulu's Back In Town
Matt Monro 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

The lyrics of Matt Monro's song "Lulu's Back In Town" tell a story of excitement and anticipation as Lulu, presumably a significant other or love interest, returns to town. The singer playfully laments the misplaced razor blade and perfume, indicating that he needs to clean up and look his best for Lulu's arrival. He expresses a sense of urgency in getting his tuxedo pressed, a button sewn on his vest, and finding a boutonniere to complete his look.

The lyrics also suggest that the singer is so infatuated with Lulu that he doesn't plan on returning home anytime soon, even telling the mailman not to call. He boasts about how Lulu's return will make others jealous, mentioning his pets and the women he knows. The singer fully embraces the excitement of Lulu's arrival, stating that they will be stepping out, strutting their stuff, and having the swellest time, even if it means finishing without a dime.

Overall, the lyrics of "Lulu's Back In Town" depict the singer's eagerness to welcome Lulu back into his life. It showcases the anticipation and desire to impress and enjoy the company of this significant person.

Line by Line Meaning

Where's that careless chambermaid?
I am searching for the chambermaid who misplaced my belongings.

Where'd she put my razor blade?
I am curious about the location of my razor blade.

She mislaid it, I'm afraid,
Unfortunately, she lost it and I am concerned.

It's gotta be foun'!
I must find it!

Ask her when she cleaned my room
Inquire about what she did with my perfume during the room cleaning.

What she did with my perfume;
I am curious to know where my perfume ended up.

I just can't lose it,
I cannot misplace it.

I've gotta use it,
I must make use of it.

'Cause Lulu's back in town.
Because Lulu has returned to town and I need to prepare myself.

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

Gotta sew a button on my vest,
I must attach a button on my vest.

'Cause tonight I've gotta look my best,
Because I need to appear at my finest tonight.

Lulu's back in town.
Lulu has returned and I must make a good impression.

Gotta get a half a buck somewhere,
I need to obtain fifty cents from somewhere.

Gotta shine my shoes and slick my hair,
I must polish my shoes and style my hair neatly.

Gotta get myself a boutonniere,
I need to acquire a flower for my jacket lapel.

Lulu's back in town.
Lulu has returned and I need to make preparations.

You can tell all my pets,
Inform all my lovers.

All my Harlem coquettes;
All the flirtatious women from Harlem.

Mister Otis regrets
Mr. Otis expresses his regrets.

That he won't be aroun'.
Because he will not be available.

You can tell the mailman not to call,
Please inform the mailman not to visit.

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

And I might not get back home at all,
There is a possibility that I may not return home.

Lulu's back in town.
Lulu has arrived and my absence may be prolonged.

You can bet I've got it bad,
You can be certain that I am deeply infatuated.

Best complaint I've ever had;
It is the most satisfying complaint I have experienced.

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

An' struttin', an' how.
And we will be confidently and proudly displaying ourselves.

We're in for the swellest time,
We are about to have an exceptionally wonderful time.

Finish up without a dime;
Even if we don't have any money left after, it will still be enjoyable.

Look here, you fellers,
Listen closely, my friends.

I'll make you jealous,
I will make you envious.

My Lulu, she's a wow.
My Lulu is truly impressive.

You can tell all my pets,
Inform all my romantic partners.

All my blondes and brunettes;
All the women with blonde and brunette hair.

Mister Otis regrets
Mr. Otis expresses his regrets.

That he won't be aroun'.
Because he will not be available.

You can tell the mailman not to call,
Please inform the mailman not to visit.

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

And I might not get back home at all,
There is a possibility that I may not return home.

Lulu's back in town.
Lulu has arrived and my absence may be prolonged.

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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