Max Bygraves OBE (born 16 October 1922 - 1st September 2012) in Rotherhithe… Read Full Bio ↴Max Bygraves OBE (born 16 October 1922 - 1st September 2012) in Rotherhithe, London as Walter William Bygraves) is an English singer songwriter, famous for his waving hands. He also appeared on his own television shows, sometimes performing comedy sketches between songs. Shows he presented included the gameshow Family Fortunes.

According to the You Need Hands Songfacts, Max went into showbusiness more or less by accident as a comedy impressionist, but later picked up the basics of songwriting.

Fings Ain't What They Used T'Be
Max Bygraves Lyrics

We have lyrics for these tracks by Max Bygraves:

After You've Gone Now won't you listen honey, while I say, How could…
Cowpuncher's Cantata I travelled across to America And when I arrived in America …
Deck of Cards During the North African Campagne A bunch of soldier boys ha…
Don't Bring Lulu You can bring Pearl, she's a darn nice girl, But don't…
Fings Ain't Wot They Used to Be They've changed our local palais into a bowling alley and Fi…
Gilly Gilly Ossenfeffer Katzenellen Bogen by the Sea Ah, Good Morning, kidlets. I'm going to tell you a…
Gilly Gilly Ossenfeffer Katzenellenbogen By The Sea Ah, Good Morning, kidlets. I'm going to tell you a…
Gilly Gilly Ossenfeffer Katzenellenbogen-by-the-Sea Ah, Good Morning, kidlets. I'm going to tell you a story…
Heart I sometimes wish I was a kid again Down in the…

Home Town Hometown (1935) Hometown, gonna wander round your back stre…
I Like Beer I, Yi, Yi, Yi, Yi I, Yi, Yi, Yi, Yi I,…
Let The Rest Of The World Go By Is the struggle and strife we find in this life Really…
Medley : Hey Look Me Over / Consider Yourself / Standing On the Corner Hey look me over, lend me an ear Fresh out of…
Medley: Danny Boy / Green Green Grass of Home / Yo Walaupu hari silih berganti Kau pasti akan tetap di hati Gem…
Medley: Home On the Range / Wand'rin Star / The Last Round Up Oh, give me a home where the buffalo roam And the…
Medley: I Yi Yi Yi Yi I Like You Very Much / Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah / Heigh Ho / Colonel Bogey I, Yi, Yi, Yi, Yi I, Yi, Yi, Yi, Yi I,…
Medley: Let's Do It (Let's Fall In Love) / Makin' Whoopee / On a Slow Boat to China / Tea for Two They say that birds do it, bees do it Even educated…
Medley: Red Roses for a Blue Lady / Whispering / Shine On Harvest Moon / I'm Always Chasing Rainbows I want some red roses for a blue lady Mister florist…
Medley: Somebody Stole My Gal / Margie / Put On Your Old Grey Bonnet / Goodbye-Ee Somebody stole my gal Somebody stole my pal Somebody came an…
Meet Me On the Corner Oh, meet me on the corner when the day is…
Out Of Town OUT OF TOWN From the film " Charley Moon" (1956 ( …
Over the Rainbow Somewhere over the rainbow Way up high, There's a land that …
Pennies from Heaven Every time it rains, it rains pennies from heaven Don't you…
Teddy Bears' Picnic If you go down in the woods today you're sure…
The Gang That Sang "Heart Of My Heart" I sometimes wish I was a kid again Down in the…
The Travelling Salesman God sent His Son They called Him Jesus He came to love,…
Tulips From Amsterdam When it's Spring again I'll bring again Tulips from Amsterda…
Underneath The Arches Underneath the arches I dream my dreams away Underneath the …
Who's Taking You Home Tonight Who's taking you home tonight, After the dance is through? W…
you Are My Sunshine You are my lucky star I saw you from afar Two…
You'd Be So Nice To Come You'd be so nice to come home to You'd be so…

You're a Pink Tooth Brush You're A Pink Toothbrush, I'm A Blue Toothbrush Have We Met…

The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos

TRACKS

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01The Mole in the Hole

02The Auctioneer2:54

03There's A Hole In My Bucket4:20

04(Meet) the Flintstones (Main Title Theme)0:39

05Nursery School (George Don't Do That)4:33

06Banana Boat (Day O)3:29

07Busy Doing Nothing- from 'A Connecticut Yankee In King Arthur's Court'2:56

08High Hopes2:10

09Bangers And Mash2:38

10My Boomerang Won't Come Back3:47

11When I See an Elephant Fly (from Dumbo)3:36

12Casey Jones2:45

13The Lion and Albert3:14

14At The Hop2:20

15Little Blue Riding Hood3:25

16Food, Glorious Food4:01

17Football Crazy2:04

18Lollipop2:09

19We're Off To See The Wizard (From The Wizard Of Oz)0:39

20Hoots Mon2:16

21The Rain in Spain (from My Fair Lady)2:38

22Jungle Rock2:44

23The Inchworm3:11

24The Trolley Song (from Meet Me in St Louis)2:57

25Leaning On a Lamp Post3:03

26SISTERS

27jollity farm

28Little Boy Fishing2:45

29Mairzy Doats2:46

30Me and My Teddy Bear3:00

31Singin' in the Rain4:03

32Don't You Just Know It

33The Little White Bull3:45

34Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini2:23

35My Old Man's a Dustman3:17

36Nee Nee Na Na Na Na Nu Nu2:06

37A Four Legged Friend2:49

38Poor Jenny2:08

39Pickin' a Chicken1:14

40Reviewing the Situation (from Oliver!)4:18

41Theme from the Adventures of William Tell2:00

42Pop Goes the Weasel

43Red River Rock2:08

44Kitty In The Basket2:34

45Top Cat Original Theme0:43

46Standing on the Corner (Most Happy Fella02:45

51Old MacDonald Had A Farm3:05

52Ali Baba's Camel3:02

53Fings Ain't What They Used T'Be2:19

PT2M19S

Max Bygraves

54Mickey's Son and Daughter3:01

55The Teddy Bears' Picnic2:19

56The Thing2:18

57Wake up Little Susie2:01

58Little White Duck2:38

59Guaglione2:22

60Three Little Fishes2:57

61Happy Talk (From South Pacific)3:45

62Tulips from Amsterdam2:15

63When I'm Cleaning Windows2:55

64Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf2:47

65What a Mouth (What a North and South)

66With a Little Bit of Luck (from My Fair Lady)4:13

67Everything Stops for Tea3:09

68When You Come to the End of a Lollipop2:40

69Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen2:39

70Mad Dogs and Englishmen2:20

71Down by the Station (feat. Mitch Miller & His Orchestra)1:40

72I Found My Mama2:47

73On Top of Spaghetti1:40

74Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy (From the Nutcracker)1:57

75Sparky's Magic Piano (Full Length Version) [feat. Verne Smith]0:01

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Comments from YouTube:

@juliesmith4910

2y↑4

Proud to say that my Dad sang in the chorus. Was always his claim to fame. They were looking for scouts that had "raw" London voices and paid him 10 bob in old money. Precious memories ...

@norablair7077

3y↑6

Woke up singing this song for some strange reason! Now it’s 2021 and things certainly aren’t wot they used to be! Makes me so sad to think of the world my grandchildren have to grow up in. This song makes me nostalgic for the carefree days of my own childhood

@jemmabond

12y↑19

...and the funny thing is that 40 years on, the words to this are still relevant! RIP Max. You will be missed.

@darrenburnfan

8y↑1

Actually, March,. 1960, is nearly 57 years ago now and when you made your comment, it was 52 years ago.

@imayhaveasmalldickbut3125

@@darrenburnfan actually march 1960 is 60 years ago now

@jasonandlynnechambers3420

How is this still relevant? 🤣🤣🤣🤣

@danw1374

1y↑1

@@jasonandlynnechambers3420 Because every generation says the same thing when they reach a certain age.

@christinemullen8633

7y↑5

i remember these playing as a child,lump in my throat thinking about mum and dad and happy days

@peterhutchins9246

3y↑12

The ultimate song for those who like to look to the past. Myself included, because nostalgia can be very sweet, rightly or wrongly

@slickmicky54

15y↑4

The title says it all. Bring back the good old days.

@prehistory42

15y↑10

Takes me back to my youth. What clever lyrics from Lionel Bart.

@AxelIngleson

11y↑12

This song has been in my head for the last several days. I finally decided to look it up and happily found this. Thanks! Mind you, these days 'fings' ain't what they were when they weren't what they used to be.

@Spaseebo

12y↑5

Max will be deeply and sadly missed ~ he was one of a kind, a true entertainer and a chirpy fellow! R.I.P.

@MARKETMAN6789

He had lots of hit records and I bought many ,loved his sing along albums as well ,top variety entertainer of the time ,gone but not forgotten ,The legendary judy garland asked him to tour with her on one of her tours which he did

@Personality01

12y↑3

This is the music, right there. Wish I grew up in the sixties.

@annetteelliott1494

5y↑3

Magic to hear again! 😊😊😊😊😊

@vinniepage5990

4y↑1

I would like the good old days back no internet no mobile phone all having fun

@roberthowes7827

11y↑6

I met Max in 1955 in Western Super Mare, great guy, extremely positive.

@irenekent4335

6y↑11

yep loved Southend on sea ah great coach outings miss all the laughs

@davidwalsh3439

8y↑23

A great record from one of the all time great entertainers. In the old days the charts reflected all types of music which was very healthy. If it sold enough copies the record charted. Moms a and dads music sat comfortably on the charts with the latest trends. All very jolly and everyone was happy..

@biffo1167

14y↑3

Gawd bless ya Max

@dalewalker1975

8y↑9

Totally my dads favorite bless his soul. . .

@hillpost

12y↑1

A great reminder of the early sisties. RIP Max smashing entertainer. Sad day today 1st Sept 2012.

@grahamsycamore5356

4y↑1

A great blast from the past. They were great days.

@GUILTYENOUGH1

15y↑3

Thank you for this reminds me so much of being a little girl...hearing this at family parties lol xx

@MsRubyWolf

9y↑7

This is fantastic, we used to sing this in primary school thirty years ago. Thanks for posting!

@nigeldewallens1115

In the late seventies! My dad booked us all seats at a show of his and even grandma sort of cringed! However, once there, we all warmed up to him and really loved him and the way he used to interact with the audience made it extra special for us all! I say thanks for the memory and R.I.P You were a truly very special person!

@OBAG09L

12y↑7

'fings ain't what they used to be' aint that a fact! Great song, great memories. RIP Max there aren't any entertainers like you any more.

@biffo1167

14y↑3

this song makes me happy

@MsFullheart

11y↑2

love this classic every generation feels the same as time goes by!

@adrinathegreat3095

6y↑5

Every era had people talking about a bygone era, this song with it's orchestra and electric guitar is very much the sound of it's time, late 50s early 60s but the message is about the disliking of that type of music.
Clever idea to sell it though

@Perranporth

15y↑1

What a brilliant song!

@AKenny882

12y↑1

Rest in beautiful peace Max and thatnks for many happy years of veriety by a great British entertainer !! <3<3<3

@mike81041

12y↑3

Max Bygraves R.I.P.

@1951pinklady

11y↑13

Id love to go back to then. They were good old days.

@alfching2499

6y↑2

We were Young Chum

@annie482000

15y↑2

Takes me back to my childhood days! Thanks for posting, VinylFun Annie :)

@VinylFun

13y↑2

@TheDiddlysquat Lovely bunch, the old entertainers. As a kid I had the chance to get Frankie Howerd's and later Jimmy Edwards' autographs. They both told me to eff off

@BazWildeClub

12y↑1

My dad owns a copy of this, and it was one I played a lot on the old stereogram when I was a nipper! :)

@tom6lillie5

12y↑2

max god bless yeah RIP

@WOODBINEXX

15y

brilliant to hear this,from the show starring max and barbara windsor

@oldstuffandcollect

14y↑1

i must confess i like this song

@ausomeaspie

5y↑1

Brilliant!

@davidwhitehouse7719

5y↑2

Love it !

@musicforasoul.7158

Thank you ☺️

@SirPeter6464

10y↑4

This is a great lyric. Such clever social commentary - three chords, must be the first mention.

@FrostFrost-ql2sr

7y↑6

fantastic too hear it again thanks for down loading it

@pigsbishop99

12y↑2

Loved him.

@Crintingnut

15y↑1

Thanks for this! Would be great to have a video version too! But this is very clear.

@williammitchell9974

Yeah Fings Sure Aint Wott They Used Be😂💯All Thee Best From Bonnie🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

@11carbuff19572011

Met Max in 1975 when he opened our Country Craft Fair at the boarding school I attended between 11.08.1968 and 03.04.1981. Max was apparently invited there by his late grandson, Michael Green, who was a pupil who left boarding school 28.09.1979.

@bigdvinyl2012

12y

r.i.p max you were great entertainer and singer sadly missed

@paulmiles9102

legend loved max

@melodiantime

10y↑2

OLD TIME MUSIC HALL, PURE GREATNESS AND GLEE.

@melodiantime

10y

I LIKE MODERN MUSIC AS WELL, BUT THIS IS GREAT STUFF FROM A GOLDEN ERA.

@wiaruz

12y↑2

RIP Max.

@spitharoo

9y↑1

Wonderful.

@danpinner1873

10y↑6

my stepdad used to enter talent shows around east end ,max & vera lynn also entered same shows ,my stepdad said he got used to coming third

@1963patt

Great stuff, that made me roar:)

@alfching2499

My dad entered one when Max was also up for it,

@Engelbird

4y↑2

love the dissonant guitar "stabs" after "there used to he traiiins... " kind of suggests a train whistle

@woden20

13y↑2

What a great old record i'm going to do this on karaoke

@tony13a

12y↑2

So sad he's gone.

@TheLENNON25

15y

Heard this on The Sounds Of Sixties on Radio 2 yesterday morning, it sounded like Joe Brown. Great song

@Tangutica

15y↑1

Has reminded me of my Mum and Dad - both dead now. Ta!

@scottayres2719

2y↑1

I wish they did a version of this with the Only Fools And Horses Cast

@philmcdonald4778

4y↑1

Prophetic.

@JohnGradwell-is7lm

45w

More than 60 years since i heard this. They sure aint what they were then.

@rolthesole

7y↑1

great little song but as with any tune written by Lionel Bart back in the late '50s and early '60s you can't help thinking - where have I heard this before? I listen to this and immediately think of "mountain greenery" 😊

@truro007

13y

True High Fidelity....and it was back then in 1960....78s were still in use!

@mercian7

10y↑7

What a little gem!

@vincentpage6872

4y↑1

So bloody true I horid wats going on at the moment

@prodosworldwide

Great song! Made my day. Thanks. :-)

(Saw it mentioned at SteynOnline and thought I'd look it up.)

@Carole0808

12y↑2

At least everyone is making respectful tributes to a great entertainer whereas your comments speak volumes about your character.

@oldstuffandcollect

11y↑1

nice one this is great

@theboyfromxtown

12y↑1

It's interesting that in those days, a cockney accent was considered a disadvantage if you wanted a decent job. But I never lost it despite my parents wanting me to.

@888karminaburana

3y↑1

2020: You can say that again!!!!!

@Lowdenjim

13y

Indirectly - it's actually the "hook" taken from Adam Faith's hit of the same year "What Do You Want" - followed up by "Poor Me" as I recall. Both hits "borrowed" Buddy Holly's classic riffs of course!

@barriemaclean6872

I saw the original stage show with Miriam Carlin . wish I had kept a diary of all the things I did.

@1967Rev

12y↑1

gaw blimey god bless ya max.

@Aeonterbor

12y

I had this record but with a Parlaphone Record sleeve instead of a Decca one for some reason

@irenekent4335

So true !!! Miss some of the earlier days

@fredflintstone8998

Cracking song and well sung by the late Max Bygraves. Thank you for posting this - damn sure it expresses my oft remarked view of the world... not that I'm a dinosaur!

@allanosborne7038

good old Lionel Bart r.i.p

@123thepurplestar

13y↑2

Thumbs up if Jacqueline Wilson's ''The Secret Diary'' brought u here! That's how i first heard of this song. : D

@gavinreid8937

For all the channels we have, Max, like many entertainers are kinda airbrushed out of TV history, Yet not a month goes by youre reminded of Dawson, Monkhouse & Forsyth.

@allanosborne7038

6y↑3

i,ve got news for elvis P, great lyric

@Chad.Telecaster

8y↑23

Tweak the lyrics a wee bit & this is a damn good contender for the new national anthem. Anyone else on board?

@sap59red

+chad telecaster At least a cockney anthem. Written by the son of Ukrainian immigrants of course.

@scottleft3672

if max miller had a sung it.

@laurabrown6522

I literally LOL'd. Thank you for that.

@MikeGreenwood51

Sap59red
Fleeing Jews from prognoms and persecution are hardly nationals of the country or society they were under attack from. So why would it be 'sons of Ukrainian Immigrants of course? They were 'stateless' in the Ukraine, then they became attacked and their lives threatened. They had no asylum in the Ukraine. Or the only asylum in the Ukraine was likely the asylum of an early grave.

@thepianoaddict

15y

i'm learning this on piano :P

@dcw1467

7y↑7

the title says it all

@frflinstone

2y↑1

A great song from an age when cynicism didnt exist !

@chrisd6982

Not a single dislike. My Grandmother was his charlatans. True story.

@Lowdenjim

13y

Understandable - we had a number of performers who copied US stars; Cliff Richard, for example, could never understand why he couldn't make any impression on US folks - he certainly never left one on me! I'm surprised though that Max Bygraves may have been on their wavelength!

@neilharris8698

7y↑1

Would this be a good song in the fallout games??

@vickyseal8485

Ah, that's for sure!

@mikelheron20

15y

IIt's basically a 4 chord turnaround (very popular in the 50s) plus a minor thrown in. Try C Am F G ... repeated Then C7 F Fm C G Can't show you where all the changes occur without writing out all the words but I'm sure you'll nfigure it out. The change from F to F minor comes on "done" as in "now it aint done". Good luck.

@oldstuffandcollect

11y↑1

i like this

@WOODBINEXX

12y

RIP Max you were one of a kind

@joemeek8040

4y↑1

For my moaning father who has exceeded his usual moaning standards .. love you dad X

@chairmanphil

14y↑1

they outa bring out a new version It used ta be fun..drinking in pubs..everyone joining in but now it aint done never mind chum..there isnt a pub within 2 miles of us...

@nicholasroberts6954

48w

I remember this from my childhood. Great. Full employment, prospects, optimism, encouragement. Fitted the times so well . . "You've never had it so good"

Ripe for reprise by Spitting Image, or the Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre.

Question is where are the light entertainment/comedic singers ?

The updated lyrics woild be easy .