Elmer's Tune
Peggy Lee & Benny Goodman Lyrics


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Why are the stars always winkin' and blinkin' above?
What makes a fellow start thinkin' of fallin' in love?
It's not the season, the reason is plain as the moon
It's just Elmer's tune
What makes a lady of eighty go out on the loose?
Why does a gander meander in search of a goose?
What puts the kick in a chicken, the magic in June?
It's just Elmer's tune
Listen, listen, there's a lot you're li'ble to be missin'
Sing it, swing it, any old way and any old time
The hurdy gurdies, the birdies, the cop on the beat
The candy maker, the baker, the man on the street
The city charmer, the farmer, the man in the moon
All sing Elmer's tune

Why are the stars always winkin' and blinkin' above?
What makes a fellow start thinkin' of fallin' in love?
It's not the season, the reason is plain as the moon
It's just Elmer's tune
What makes a lady of eighty go out on the loose?
Why does a gander meander in search of a goose?
What puts the kick in a chicken, the magic in June?
It's just Elmer's tune
Listen, listen, there's a lot you're li'ble to be missin'
Sing it, swing it, any old way and any old time
The hurdy gurdies, the birdies, the cop on the beat
The candy maker, the baker, the man on the street




The city charmer, the farmer, the man in the moon
All sing Elmer's tune

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Peggy Lee and Benny Goodman's Elmer's Tune involve a series of rhetorical questions about what motivates various beings to do what they do. The first stanza asks, "Why are the stars always winkin' and blinkin' above? What makes a fellow start thinkin' of fallin' in love?" The second verse asks, "What makes a lady of eighty go out on the loose? Why does a gander meander in search of a goose? What puts the kick in a chicken, the magic in June?" The refrain follows each verse, stating that the motivation for all of these actions is simply "Elmer's tune."


The song suggests that Elmer's tune is a sort of metaphysical force that inspires and motivates everything around us. Interestingly, the lyrics don't actually explain what Elmer's tune is, leaving the listener to come to their own conclusions about its meaning. It's possible that Elmer's tune is simply a euphemism for the inexplicable and intangible forces that drive people to do the things they do. Alternatively, it could be a reference to a specific person or event that was particularly inspiring or motivating for the songwriter.


Overall, the lyrics to Elmer's Tune are playful and whimsical, capturing a sense of wonder and curiosity about the world around us. By asking these rhetorical questions and suggesting that everything is motivated by Elmer's tune, the song encourages listeners to see the magical and mysterious side of everyday life.


Line by Line Meaning

Why are the stars always winkin' and blinkin' above?
What is the reason for the constant twinkling of stars in the sky?


What makes a fellow start thinkin' of fallin' in love?
What triggers a person to begin contemplating the idea of falling in love?


It's not the season, the reason is plain as the moon
The reason for such feelings is not due to the change in weather, it is obvious and simple.


It's just Elmer's tune
The cause is simply attributable to the captivating nature of Elmer's melody.


What makes a lady of eighty go out on the loose?
What motivates an elderly woman to participate in a wild escapade?


Why does a gander meander in search of a goose?
What is the underlying cause of a male goose wandering aimlessly, looking for a female companion?


What puts the kick in a chicken, the magic in June?
What invigorates a chicken, and what are the mystical qualities of the month of June?


It's just Elmer's tune
The answer can be attributed to nothing other than Elmer's irresistible melody.


Listen, listen, there's a lot you're li'ble to be missin'
Pay attention, as there are many things that you may overlook.


Sing it, swing it, any old way and any old time
Sing and enjoy the melody, in any manner and at any occasion.


The hurdy gurdies, the birdies, the cop on the beat
Various elements of daily life, such as street musicians, birds, and law enforcement, are all swayed by Elmer's tune.


The candy maker, the baker, the man on the street
Even those who work in sugary confections or the baked goods industry, as well as passersby, are affected by Elmer's tune.


The city charmer, the farmer, the man in the moon
People living in urban and rural areas, as well as the mythical man in the moon, all experience the magic of Elmer's melody.


All sing Elmer's tune
Every person, bird, and element of daily life all join in singing Elmer's captivating tune.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ELMER ALBRECHT, SAMMY GALLOP, DAN JURGENS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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