Broderick has won two Tony Awards, one for Best Featured Actor in a Play for Brighton Beach Memoirs (1983), and one for Best Actor in a Musical for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1995). He was also nominated for the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his role in The Producers (2001), but lost to his co-star Nathan Lane. As of 2016, Broderick is the youngest winner of the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play.
Do Do Do
Matthew Broderick Lyrics
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Glorious Bloom, it's so simple
Step one, we find the worst play ever written
Step two, we hire the worst director in town
Step three, I raise two million dollars
Two? Yes, one for me, one for you
There's a lot of little old ladies out there
And open on Broadway and before you can say, “Step five”
We close on Broadway, take our two million and go to Rio
Rio? Nah, that'd never work, oh, ye of little faith
What did Lewis say to Clark when everything looked bleak?
What did Sir Edmund say to Tenzing
As they struggled toward Everest's peak?
What did Washington say to his troops
As they crossed the Delaware?
I'm sure you're well aware, what'd they say?
We can do it, we can do it
We can do it, me and you
We can do it, we can do it
We can make our dreams come true
Everything you've ever wanted
Is just waiting to be had
Beautiful girls, wearing nothing but pearls
Caressing you, undressing you and driving you mad
We can do it, we can do it
This is not the time to shirk
We can do it, you won't rue it
Say goodbye to petty clerk
Hi, Producer, yes, Producer
I mean you, sir, go beserk
We can do it, we can do it
And I know it's gonna work
Whatta ye say, Bloom? What do I say?
Finally a chance to be a Broadway producer
What do I say?
Finally a chance to make my dreams come true, sir
What do I say, what do I say?
Here's what I say to you, sir
I can't do it, I can't do it
I can't do it, that's not me
I'm a loser, I'm a coward
I'm a chicken, don't you see?
When it comes to wooing women
There's a few things that I lack
Beautiful girls, wearing nothing but pearls
Cashing me, embracing me, I'd have an attack
Why, you miserable, cowardly, wretched little caterpillar
Don't you ever want to become a butterfly?
Don't you want to spread your wings
And flap your way to glory?
We can do it, we can do it
We can grab that holy grail
We can do it, we can do it
Drink Champagne, not ginger ale
Come on, Leo, can't you see oh
Mr. Bialystock, please stop the song
You've got me wrong, I'll say, "So long"
I'm not as strong a person as you think
Mr. Bialystock, just take a look
I'm not a crook, I'm just a shnook
The bottom line is that I stink, I can't do it
You see Rio, I see jail
We can do it, I can't do it, we can do it
I cannot, cannot, cannot, cannot do it
'Cause I know it's gonna fail, we can do it
I know it cannot fail
(It's gonna fail)
The song "We Can Do It" is a humorous and upbeat number from the Broadway musical and later film, The Producers. The song is sung by Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom, the two main characters of the show, as they devise a scheme to intentionally produce the biggest flop in Broadway history in order to profit off of the excess investor funds. The lyrics of the song outline their plan to find the worst play, director, and actors, and then open the play and quickly close, reaping the profits and fleeing to Rio with the excess funds.
However, Bloom, the nervous accountant turned producer, becomes increasingly hesitant and reveals his lack of self-confidence. Despite Max's attempts to challenge him to take on the challenge and be bold, Bloom ultimately admits his fears and confesses that he cannot do it, leaving Max to try to convince him to push past his fears and take a leap of faith.
The song is meant to be a comical representation of the quintessential underdog story, but with a twist. While Bloom may lack confidence and courage, Max is a persistent and conniving schemer who has no qualms about exploiting others to get what he wants. The song's catchy melody and optimistic chorus provide a stark contrast to the morally questionable plot of the show, leading the audience to laugh at the absurdity of the characters' scheme.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't you see, Bloom, darling Bloom?
Matthew Broderick is asking Nathan Lane if he understands the opportunity they have.
Glorious Bloom, it's so simple
Matthew Broderick is calling Nathan Lane by his last name and emphasizing that the plan is simple.
Step one, we find the worst play ever written
The first step is to search for the worst play ever written.
Step two, we hire the worst director in town
The second step is to recruit the worst director in the town.
Step three, I raise two million dollars
Matthew Broderick says that he will raise two million dollars for the project.
Two? Yes, one for me, one for you
Matthew Broderick is saying that each of them will get one million dollars each.
There's a lot of little old ladies out there
Matthew Broderick says that there are many old ladies who like to fund theater productions.
Step four, we hire the worst actors in New York
The fourth step is to hire the worst actors in New York City.
And open on Broadway and before you can say, “Step five”
The play will open on Broadway, and the next step will be completed quickly.
We close on Broadway, take our two million and go to Rio
The play will fail on Broadway, but they will still get their two million dollars and go to Rio.
Rio? Nah, that'd never work, oh, ye of little faith
Nathan Lane expresses doubt about going to Rio, but Matthew Broderick calls him pessimistic.
What did Lewis say to Clark when everything looked bleak?
Matthew Broderick compares their situation to the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
What did Sir Edmund say to Tenzing as they struggled toward Everest's peak?
Matthew Broderick compares their situation to Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay's climb of Mount Everest.
What did Washington say to his troops as they crossed the Delaware?
Matthew Broderick references George Washington crossing the Delaware River during the American Revolution.
We can do it, we can do it
Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane can do anything they set their minds to.
Everything you've ever wanted is just waiting to be had
If they try hard enough, they can achieve anything they want.
Beautiful girls, wearing nothing but pearls
Matthew Broderick is imagining a life of luxury with beautiful women.
Caressing you, undressing you and driving you mad
The women will be physical with them and make them lose their minds.
This is not the time to shirk
Now is not the time to be indecisive or hesitant.
We can do it, you won't rue it
They will not regret trying and failing because at least they tried.
Say goodbye to petty clerk
They will leave their mundane lives behind and become successful Broadway producers.
Finally a chance to be a Broadway producer
This is their chance to achieve their lifelong dream of becoming Broadway producers.
What do I say to you, sir?
Nathan Lane is asking what Matthew Broderick expects him to say.
I can't do it, I can't do it
Nathan Lane is saying that he cannot go through with the plan.
I'm a loser, I'm a coward, I'm a chicken, don't you see?
Nathan Lane does not have the courage or confidence to pursue their goal.
When it comes to wooing women, there's a few things that I lack
Nathan Lane has trouble attracting women due to his personality.
Why, you miserable, cowardly, wretched little caterpillar
Matthew Broderick is insulting Nathan Lane, but also challenging him to become a better version of himself.
We can grab that holy grail
They can achieve their goal if they work hard and believe in themselves.
Drink Champagne, not ginger ale
If they succeed, they will celebrate with champagne instead of ginger ale.
Mr. Bialystock, please stop the song
Nathan Lane is asking Matthew Broderick to stop singing.
You've got me wrong, I'll say, “So long”
Nathan Lane is leaving the plan as he can't be a part of it anymore.
I'm not as strong a person as you think
Nathan Lane admits that he is not as confident or assertive as Matthew Broderick believes he is.
Mr. Bialystock, just take a look, I'm not a crook, I'm just a shnook
Nathan Lane is explaining that he is not a criminal but an ordinary person.
The bottom line is that I stink, I can't do it
Nathan Lane believes that he is not capable of succeeding in the plan.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MEL BROOKS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Two Sisters Southern Cookin'
He showed so much appreciation for what everyone did for him and his ancestors. I shed a few tears for him. Very gracious
CCC T
I am astounded that people back then had the wherewithal and compassion to reintern these individuals for the families who might try to find them; it really choked me up.
Sonia Triana
@ccct Yes, the men who were compassionate enough to do this were paying their respects & giving families, like Matthew’s, a chance to eventually reconnect to their loved ones.
Javier DeNardo
We can too
kaythegardener
@Sonia Triana Bert that Matthew Broderick contacted the National Cemetery to get his great grandfather a memorial gravestone!! About 30% were unidentified at first!!
Queen LoveOfMyLife
? I'm not. We're all the same. Human
Beverly Snow
One of the credos of the military: never leave any man behind.
Nick Noga
I’m surprised it wasn’t mentioned that, a few days after Matthew’s grandfather got wounded, the war ended. The Meuse-Argonne offensive was one of the critical moments that led to the surrender of the German army in WWI.
Stephanie K
Thx for those insightful details...the context.
Storm Angelus
Combat medics are the absolute badasses of military forces. They see the worst & go through the worst to save the lives of his brothers-in-arms. Blessings to Matthww & his current family.