Michael Feinstein (born September 7, 1956) is an American singer, a pianist… Read Full Bio ↴Michael Feinstein (born September 7, 1956) is an American singer, a pianist, music revivalist, and an interpreter of, and anthropologist and archivist for, the repertoire known as the Great American Songbook. The Library of Congress elected him to the National Sound Recording Advisory Board, an organization dedicated to safeguarding America’s musical heritage.

Nice Work If You Can Get It
Michael Feinstein Lyrics

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Holdin' hands at midnight
'Neath a starry sky
Nice work if you can get it
And you can get it if you try

Strollin' with the one girl
Sighin' sigh after sigh
Nice work if you can get it

And you can get it if you try

Just imagine someone
Waiting at the cottage door
Where two hearts become one
Who could ask for anything more?

Loving one who loves you
And then takin' that vow
Nice work if you can get it
And if you get it won't you tell me how?

Holdin' hands at midnight
'Neath a starry sky

And strollin' with the one girl
Sighing sigh after sigh

Just imagine someone
Waiting at the cottage door
Where two hearts become one
Who could ask for anything more?

Loving one who loves you
And then takin' that vow

Nice work if you can get it
And if you get it won't you tell me how?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Michael Feinstein's song "Nice Work If You Can Get It" describe the joy and beauty of being in love. The song is essentially about the simple pleasures that come with love - holding hands at midnight beneath a starry sky, strolling with the one you love, and sighing sigh after sigh. The lyrics suggest that finding love and being with the right person is an accomplishment that requires effort, but also yields tremendous rewards. The song's romantic themes are underscored by the idea of two hearts becoming one, and the promise of taking vows with someone you love.

At the same time, the song seems to acknowledge the fact that finding love and being with the right person is not always an easy task. The possibility of someone waiting at the cottage door represents a hope or a dream that may not yet be realized. Additionally, while the song suggests that love is rewarding, it also implies that it takes work to obtain it, and that not everyone may be able to achieve it.

Overall, "Nice Work If You Can Get It" is a song that celebrates the joys of love, while acknowledging the effort and work required to obtain it. It is a hopeful and romantic song that encourages listeners to pursue their dreams of love, and to appreciate the simple pleasures that come with being in a loving relationship.

Line by Line Meaning

Holdin' hands at midnight
Being close to someone you care about

'Neath a starry sky
In a romantic setting

Nice work if you can get it
This is a desirable situation

And you can get it if you try
It's not impossible to attain this goal

Strollin' with the one girl
Walking leisurely with someone special

Sighin' sigh after sigh
Feeling content and happy

Just imagine someone
Visualizing a dream or goal

Waiting at the cottage door
A symbol of stability and comfort

Where two hearts become one
The idea of finding true love

Who could ask for anything more?
This would be the height of fulfillment

Loving one who loves you
Being in a reciprocated relationship