Do Do Do
New York Philharmonic Orchestra;Zubin Mehta Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Second hand hose
All the girls hand me
Their second hand clothes
Even my pajamas when I darn 'em
Have somebody else's
Initials on 'em
Second hand rings
I never get what other girlies do
Once while strolling
Through the ritz a girl got my goat
She nudged her friend
And said oh look there goes
My old fur coat
I don't believe in
Frettin' and grievin'
Why mess around with strife
I never was caught out
To step and strut out
Give me the simple life
Some find a pleasant dining on pheasants
Those things roll off my comb
Just serve me tomatoes
And mashed potatoes
Any place I hang my hat is home
Oh, I got plenty o' nothin'
And nothin's plenty for me
I got no car, I got no mule
I got no misery
Don't you see
I got no lock on my door
That's okay with me
Cause the things that I prize
Like the stars in the skies are all free
I got plenty o' nothin'
And nothin's plenty for me
Once I built a railroad
Made it run,
Made it race
Against time
Once I built a railroad
Now it's done
Brother can you spare a dime?
Say don't you remember
They called me al
It was al all the time
Say don't you remember
I'm your pal
Buddy can you spare a dime?
Nobody knows you
When you're down and out
In your pocket's
Not one penny
And your friends
Well, you haven't any
Soon as you get on your feet again
Everybody
Everybody
Is your long lost friend
It's mighty strange
Without a doubt
But nobody knows you
When you're down and out
Oh every one knows
That I'm just second hand rose
From second avenue
Ya can't beat the egg-creams
From second avenue
There is more between me
And fifth avenue
Than three blocks
I tell ya
Second avenue
The flowers in spring
The robins that sing
The sun beam that shines
They're yours, they're mine
And love can come to anyone
Because the best things in life are free
The song "Do Do Do" by New York Philharmonic; Zubin Mehta is a celebration of the simple life. The lyrics are sung from the perspective of a woman who embraces her economic situation and does not strive for anything beyond what she already has. She describes herself as wearing second-hand shoes, hose, and clothes, and even darning her pajamas that have somebody else's initials on them. She accepts these things because she finds the simple life less complicated and freeing.
The second verse takes place in the Ritz hotel, where she overhears a girl lamenting the loss of her fur coat. The singer's response is that she does not fret and grieve over such worldly possessions. In fact, she finds pleasure in the simple things like tomatoes and mashed potatoes, and believes that any place she can hang her hat is home. The third verse touches upon the Great Depression and the hardships it caused. The singer had once built a railroad when times were better but is now without a car or mule. However, she finds comfort in the fact that the stars in the sky are free.
The fourth and final verse touches upon the theme of friendship and how it can be fickle depending on one's current economic situation. She explains that when one is down and out, nobody knows them or cares about them. But as soon as they get back on their feet, everyone is their long-lost friend. Throughout the song, the singer emphasizes that the best things in life are free and available to anyone, regardless of their economic situation.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm wearing second hand shoes
I have no qualms about wearing used stuff
Second hand hose
I even wear used stockings
All the girls hand me their second hand clothes
People give me their old clothes
Even my pajamas when I darn 'em have somebody else's initials on 'em
Even my sleepwear is second hand
Second hand rings
I wear used jewelry too
Mmm... second hand things
I prefer used stuff in general
I never get what other girlies do
I don't understand why others like expensive things
Once while strolling through the ritz a girl got my goat
Once, while walking through a fancy place, a girl annoyed me
She nudged her friend and said oh look there goes my old fur coat
She pointed out a coat that she once owned
I don't believe in frettin' and grievin' why mess around with strife
I don't see the point in worrying about things
I never was caught out to step and strut out, give me the simple life
I don't want to show off, I prefer a simple lifestyle
Some find a pleasant dining on pheasants, those things roll off my comb
Some people enjoy fancy meals, but I'm not interested in that
Just serve me tomatoes and mashed potatoes, any place I hang my hat is home
I am content with simple food, I can feel at home anywhere
Oh, I got plenty o' nothin' and nothin's plenty for me
I don't have much, but I don't need more
I got no car, I got no mule, I got no misery
I don't have any fancy possessions, but I'm happy
Don't you see, I got no lock on my door, that's okay with me
I don't worry about security, I have nothing valuable to steal
Cause the things that I prize, like the stars in the skies are all free
The things I value don't cost anything
Once I built a railroad, made it run, made it race against time
I once achieved something great
Now it's done, brother can you spare a dime?
Now I need help
Say don't you remember they called me al, it was al all the time
People used to know me by name, it was always Al
Say don't you remember, I'm your pal, buddy can you spare a dime?
Remember our friendship? Can you lend me some money?
Nobody knows you when you're down and out, in your pocket's not one penny
When you lose everything, people tend to abandon you
And your friends, well, you haven't any
You don't have any real friends when you're broke
Soon as you get on your feet again, everybody, everybody is your long lost friend
Once you succeed again, people will suddenly want to be your friend
It's mighty strange without a doubt, but nobody knows you when you're down and out
It is odd how people treat you differently based on your circumstances
Oh every one knows that I'm just second hand rose from second avenue
People know that I typically wear used clothing
Ya can't beat the egg-creams from second avenue, there is more between me and fifth avenue, than three blocks I tell ya; second avenue
I enjoy egg-creams and feel more at home in my neighborhood than in a fancy area
The flowers in spring, the robins that sing, the sun beam that shines, they're yours, they're mine, and love can come to anyone, because the best things in life are free
Nature and love are free for everyone to enjoy
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Ultra Tunes, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: NIGEL ANDREW STAFF, DONOVAN BENNETT, WAYNE MCGREGOR, ADIDJA PALMER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind