We Can Do It
Nathan Lane Matthew Broderick Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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)
"We Can Do It" is a song from the musical comedy film "The Producers," which tells the story of two Broadway producers, Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom, who attempt to create the worst musical ever to earn a fortune. In the song, Max tries to convince Leo that they can make their dreams come true if they pool their resources, find a bad play, hire bad actors and a bad director, open the play on Broadway, and then close before the public becomes wise to the fact that the play is terrible. However, Leo is full of self-doubt and is afraid of failure, and he ultimately refuses to go through with the plan, which causes Max to become frustrated and angry with him.
The song is a humorous look at the world of show business and the lengths that people will go to in order to achieve success. Max's belief that he can make money by producing a terrible play is absurd, but it speaks to the desperation that many people in the industry feel to find a hit. Meanwhile, Leo represents the fear and self-doubt that can plague artists and performers, even when they have the talent to succeed.
Overall, "We Can Do It" is a tongue-in-cheek ode to the idea of taking big risks in pursuit of one's dreams, and the song encapsulates many of the themes and motifs that are central to "The Producers" as a whole.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't you see, Bloom, darling Bloom?
Nathan Lane's character wants Matthew Broderick's character to see the potential in their plan to stage the worst play ever written, despite obstacles.
Step one, we find the worst play ever written
The first step in their plan is to find a terrible play, which will increase the odds of failure and generate buzz.
Step two, we hire the worst director in town
The second step is to hire a terrible director to ensure the play is as terrible as possible.
Step three, I raise two million dollars
The third step is to raise two million dollars for funding the production of the play.
Two? Yes, one for me, one for you
Nathan Lane's character plans to take half of the two million dollars for himself and give the other half to Matthew Broderick's character.
Step four, we hire the worst actors in New York
The fourth step is to hire terrible actors in order to ensure that the play is an absolute disaster.
And open on Broadway and before you can say, “Step five”
Before they have a chance to reach the fifth and final step of their plan, they'll open on Broadway.
We close on Broadway, take our two million and go to Rio
Once they open the play on Broadway, they'll intentionally lead it to fail, closing the play and taking their profits to Rio.
Rio? Nah, that'd never work, oh, ye of little faith
Matthew Broderick's character doubts the success of their plan, but Nathan Lane's character brushes it off and continues to hype it up.
What did Lewis say to Clark when everything looked bleak?
Nathan Lane's character is trying to inspire Matthew Broderick's character by referencing the famous explorer duo, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark.
What did Sir Edmund say to Tenzing, as they struggled toward Everest's peak?
Another example Nathan Lane's character cites is Sir Edmund Hillary's famous climb up Mount Everest with Tenzing Norgay.
What did Washington say to his troops, as they crossed the Delaware?
Nathan Lane is referencing the revolutionary war and the morale-boosting speeches George Washington gave his soldiers as they headed into battle.
We can do it, we can do it
The repeated chorus is a call to action and a display of confident optimism in the success of their plan.
Everything you've ever wanted, is just waiting to be had
Nathan Lane's character is encouraging Matthew Broderick's character to take risks and go after their dreams, as everything they want is within reach.
Beautiful girls, wearing nothing but pearls, caressing you, undressing you and driving you mad
The supposed rewards of success are depicted, such as attractive women seducing them and driving them mad with pleasure.
This is not the time to shirk, you won't rue it
Nathan Lane's character is pushing Matthew Broderick's character to not give up on their plan and to see it through to the end.
Say goodbye to petty clerk
He's encouraging Matthew Broderick's character to let go of the mundane life as an accountant and embrace the potential of a career as a successful Broadway producer.
Finally a chance to make my dreams come true, sir
Matthew Broderick's character is hopeful about finally achieving his dreams of being a Broadway producer.
I can't do it, I can't do it
Despite Nathan Lane's character's encouragement, Matthew Broderick's character becomes overwhelmed with doubt and believes he can't go through with the plan.
When it comes to wooing women, there's a few things that I lack
Matthew Broderick's character expresses his insecurities and shortcomings in his abilities to charm women.
Why, you miserable, cowardly, wretched little caterpillar, don't you ever want to become a butterfly?
Nathan Lane is shaming Matthew Broderick's character for his lack of confidence and trying to inspire him to become a better version of himself in order to reach his potential.
We can grab that holy grail
The idea of the play being the holy grail of their success serves as motivation for Nathan Lane's character.
Drink Champagne, not ginger ale
Upon achieving success and gaining their two million dollars, Nathan Lane's character plans on celebrating with champagne, not ginger ale.
Everything you've ever wanted is within your reach, Nathan Lane's character is hyping up their plan and encouraging Matthew Broderick's character to have faith in their potential success.
'Cause I know it's gonna fail,!
Despite everything, Matthew Broderick's character is still convinced that the plan will ultimately fail.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MEL BROOKS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kevyn The DevylMan
Say what you will about Max, he doesn't hesitate to cut Leo into the scheme and even give him an equal cut of the loot.
SlyJMan
Well, he recognizes the scheme can’t work without a creative accountant in on the deal.
Pυɾρʅҽ Tσɱαƚσ Cιɳҽɱα🍿🎬
I like how they're singing about the crime they're gonna commit out in public for all to hear
Vaughn Gordon
Wow....
Even the set for the street sceen is a gem... what genius.
Jeffrey Hunter
It's always been my dream to play Leo Bloom
Wes Megginson
It’s been my dream to play Max Bialystok
Manuel Orozco
I would play Leo too
Vitaemins
“you’ve mistaken me for someone with a spine” LMAOOOO 💀
Becca S.
I so wish I could be part of this illustrious play!
Manuel Orozco
The first time I heard the song I knew it was Timon. Well this movie was the first time I’ve heard Matthew’s actual singing.