Finding his voice in a school choir, Crawford began his professional career still a teenager. Having some luck on the London stage in the early 60s, he then found his way onto the BBC and starred in various programmes such as 'Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em'. He also had film roles in 'The War Lover', 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum'. and 'How I Won the War' (which brought him into the same work as John Lennon).
Andrew Lloyd Webber's casting of him opposite Sarah Brightman and Steve Barton as the Phantom in 1986 shot his career into high gear. Winning a Tony Award for his role, Crawford also had the aforementioned tune, "The Music Of The Night", reach the British Top Ten. He has released several studio albums such as 'A Touch of Music in the Night' and 'On Eagle's Wings' among others.
Elegance
Michael Crawford Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yes, New York
It's really us
Barnaby and Cornelius
Mrs. Molloy & Minnie
All the guests of Mr. Hackl are
Feelin' great and look spectacular
All
There is to that
Acting like a born aristocrat
We got elegance
If you ain't got elegance
You can never ever carry it off
Cornelius
All who are
Well-bred agree
Minnie Fay
Has pedigree
Mrs. Molloy
Exercise your wildest whims tonight
We are out with diamond Jims tonight
Minnie
Could they be
Misleading us?
Cornelius & Barnaby
Silver spoons were used for feeding us
We got elegance
If you ain't got elegance
All
You can never ever carry it off
Middle class
Don't speak of it
Savoir Faire
We reek of it
Some were born with rags and patches but
We use dollar bills for matches and
Minnie
Vanderbilt
Kowtows to us
Cornelius
J.P. Morgan scrapes and bows to us
All
We've got elegance
We were born with elegance
Cornelius
Have you noticed when I hold my cup
The saucer never moves
Mrs. Molloy
And the way I keep my pinky up
Indubitably proves
All
That we got elegance
We got built in elegance
And with elegance... elegance...
Elegance... elegance... elegance
We'll carry it off!
We got elegance
If you ain't got elegance
You can never ever carry it off
We got Elegance...
The song "Elegance" by Michael Crawford is a lively and humorous portrayal of the characters Cornelius, Barnaby, Mrs. Molloy, and Minnie from the 1964 Broadway musical "Hello, Dolly!" The lyrics are centered around the idea of acting like a born aristocrat and the importance of possessing elegance in high society. The characters exude confidence and self-assuredness as they boast of their pedigree and sophistication, and how they are out with "diamond Jims" for the evening. They poke fun at those who are middle class and lacking in savoir faire, claiming that they were born with elegance and have it built-in. The chorus emphasizes the importance of elegance, as one cannot carry it off without possessing the trait.
The song is full of clever and witty lines such as "Silver spoons were used for feeding us," and "We use dollar bills for matches." These all serve to reinforce the idea that the characters are wealthy, high society individuals who possess the social graces that are necessary in their world. Mrs. Molloy's line, "And the way I keep my pinky up, indubitably proves," is another example of the exaggerated and humorous way the characters present themselves.
Overall, "Elegance" is a fun and upbeat song that offers a satirical commentary on the concept of elegance and social status in high society.
Line by Line Meaning
Cornelius & Barnaby
Cornelius and Barnaby are introducing themselves.
Yes, New York
Acknowledging that they are indeed in New York.
It's really us
Reiterating that it is indeed Cornelius and Barnaby.
Barnaby and Cornelius
Another introduction by Cornelius and Barnaby.
Mrs. Molloy & Minnie
Introducing the characters Mrs. Molloy and Minnie.
All the guests of Mr. Hackl are
Referring to all the guests who are with Mr. Hackl.
Feelin' great and look spectacular
Asserting that the guests feel great and look amazing.
All
All the characters in the song are emphasizing the following point.
What a knack
Expressing the skill and talent that some people possess.
There is to that
Referring to the talent that was just mentioned.
Acting like a born aristocrat
Behaving in a way that is similar to someone who was born into aristocracy.
We got elegance
Asserting that they possess elegance.
If you ain't got elegance
Suggesting that if someone doesn't possess elegance, they cannot carry it off.
You can never ever carry it off
Reiterating that without elegance, it is impossible to appear elegant.
All who are
Referring to anyone who is well-bred.
Well-bred agree
Asserting that anyone who is well-bred would agree with the following statement.
Has pedigree
Referring to Minnie Fay's heritage.
Exercise your wildest whims tonight
Encouraging others to indulge their desires and have a good time.
We are out with diamond Jims tonight
Referring to the people they are with, who are wealthy and influential.
Could they be
Minnie is questioning the nature of their companionship.
Misleading us?
Questioning whether their companionship is genuine or not.
Silver spoons were used for feeding us
Referring to their wealth and privileged upbringing.
Middle class
Referring to a social class below their own.
Don't speak of it
Suggesting that they shouldn't even mention the middle class.
Savoir Faire
Referring to their knowledge of social graces and etiquette.
We reek of it
Asserting that they possess an abundance of savoir faire.
Some were born with rags and patches but
Acknowledging that some people come from humble beginnings.
We use dollar bills for matches and
Asserting that they have so much wealth that they can use it for trivial things.
Vanderbilt
Referring to one of the wealthiest families in American history.
Kowtows to us
Asserting that even the Vanderbilt family respects and admires them.
J.P. Morgan scrapes and bows to us
Asserting that even J.P. Morgan, one of the most powerful bankers in history, respects and admires them.
We were born with elegance
Asserting that they had elegance from birth.
Have you noticed when I hold my cup
Cornelius is calling attention to a particular behavior of his.
The saucer never moves
Asserting that when Cornelius holds his cup, the saucer stays in place.
And the way I keep my pinky up
Mrs. Molloy is calling attention to a particular behavior of hers.
Indubitably proves
Asserting that her behavior is further proof that they possess elegance.
We got built in elegance
Asserting that they possess elegance naturally, without any effort.
And with elegance... elegance...
Reiterating the theme of the song.
Elegance... elegance... elegance
Repeating the word 'elegance' for emphasis.
We'll carry it off!
Confidently asserting that they will be able to carry off their elegant behavior.
Writer(s): Jerry Herman Copyright: Edwin H. Morris & Co. Inc.
Contributed by Henry J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.