Standing on the Corner
Ray Ellis Orchestra Lyrics
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Standing on a corner watching all the girls go by
Brother you don't know a nicer occupation
Matter of fact, neither do I
Than standing on a corner watching all the girls
Watching all the girls, watching all the girls go by
I'm the cat that got the cream
Haven't got a girl but I can wish
So I'll take me down to Main street
And that's where I select my imaginary dish
Standing on a corner watching all the girls go by
Standing on a corner giving all the girls the eye
Brother if you've got a rich imagination
Give it a whirl, give it a try
Try standing on a corner watching all the girls
Watching all the girls, watching all the girls go by
Brother you can't go to jail for what you're thinking
Or for that woo look in your eye
Standing on the corner watching all the girls
Watching all the girls, watching all the girls go by
The Ray Ellis Orchestra's song "Standing on the Corner" is a lighthearted and whimsical tune about the pleasures of people-watching. The lyrics express the joys of standing on a street corner and watching all the girls as they pass by. The singer declares that this is his favorite hobby, and implies that it is a great way to spend one's time. He feels lucky to be able to indulge in such a pleasure, and conveys a sense of carefree innocence.
The second stanza of the song focuses on the singer's daydreams about the women he sees. He admits that he doesn't have a girlfriend, but that doesn't stop him from imagining what it would be like to be with one of these women. He takes himself "down to Main street" to pick out his "imaginary dish" from the passing throngs. Overall, the song is a light-hearted celebration of innocent voyeurism and the pleasures of the imagination.
Line by Line Meaning
Standing on a corner watching all the girls go by
Observing the young ladies pass by from the curbside
Standing on a corner watching all the girls go by
Observing the young ladies pass by from the curbside
Brother you don't know a nicer occupation
There is no better way to spend one's time than enjoying the view of these beautiful women from the street corner
Matter of fact, neither do I
I agree with the previous assertion
Than standing on a corner watching all the girls
There is no greater pleasure than standing on the corner and eyeing the ladies
Watching all the girls, watching all the girls, watching all the girls go by
Repeated emphasis on the simple yet delightful experience of watching these girls pass by
I'm the cat that got the cream
I'm content and happy with the world due to my enjoyable pastime
Haven't got a girl but I can dream
I don't have a girlfriend, but my imagination can fill in the gap
Haven't got a girl but I can wish
Although I don't currently have a significant other, that doesn't stop me from having desires
So I'll take me down to Main street
I'll wander down to the main drag
And that's where I select my imaginary dish
I create my own fantasy partner in my head and choose qualities that appeal to me
Standing on a corner watching all the girls go by
Observing the young ladies pass by from the curbside
Standing on a corner giving all the girls the eye
Glancing suggestively at the ladies who walk by
Brother if you've got a rich imagination
If you have a vivid or active imagination,
Give it a whirl, give it a try
Try this activity and see if it provides the same level of happiness
Try standing on a corner watching all the girls
See how pleasurable it is to watch the ladies stroll down the street
Watching all the girls, watching all the girls, watching all the girls go by
The simple but satisfying experience of watching these enchanting young women pass by
Brother you can't go to jail for what you're thinking
You won't end up in jail for having impure thoughts
Or for that woo look in your eye
No one can be punished for their suggestive facial expression
Standing on the corner watching all the girls
Observing the young ladies pass by from the curbside
Watching all the girls, watching all the girls, watching all the girls go by
The simple but pleasurable experience of watching these alluring young women stroll down the street
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: COUNT BASIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MarkBlackburnWPG
Standing on THE corner (not just any corner) : An American friend -- Samuel Chell, who authored a chapter in a compilation book of essays on what made Sinatra great, just shared a note about Frank Loesser's STANDING ON THE CORNER. Thought my friends here would appreciate this:
' . . . perhaps not "great" like "All the Things You Are" but amply singable, even irresistible. It starts, bam!, with the title, positioning you in the place any male with a touch of voyeurism would want to be. Then you move by single steps through each syllable until the last two--dropping 4 steps for "go" and another 4 for "by." And no need to lose your nickel ice cream cone while satisfying the senses of sight and sound. (I saw your ref to the ample satisfactions that very few coins once could afford--moreover, watching should fit any budget.)
I thought I liked it because of the 4 Lads (who rarely harmonized-
why'd they need 4 guys?). But talk about a pop song with pedigree! Composed by the great Frank Loesser and the one Broadway musical that comes closer than any other to full-blown opera! I took a class to Milwaukee for my first time of "The Most Happy Fella"--emotionally gripping, esp. when the story brings us to "My Heart Is So Full of You." As I recall, it's "through-composed"-I think that's the term for a musical with no talking. Everything, beginning to end, is sung.But consider your response [if] the title were: "Standing on a corner watching ..." Not the same, is it? I'm not sure why. Does it make me feel more like a vagrant--perhaps engaging in a suspicious or illicit activity? Standing on THE corner centers the activity in a community, perhaps making "watching" and "being watched" equally agreeable to all of the actors in an idyllic place and time.
-- Samuel Chell
Thanks "45prof" for this YouTube version of the original hit recording by The Four Lads -- the 45 rpm record lable and the informed note that the arrangement is by Ray Ellis Orchestra and Chorus.
Celebrated this day at Sinatra Family -- Forum -- "Siriusly Sinatra" - MY FAVORITE VERSION, YOURS TOO? https://sinatrafamily.com/forum/showthread.php/50225-My-Favorite-Version-%28yours-too-%29/page38
@jimhilliker2450
From the good ole days, when my mother and father were young parents to me at age 1 and my newborn sister. Love to you, mom and dad.
@stephenulmer3781
I remember this from the episode of "I love Lucy" where they went to see "The most happy fella" ☺
@smwca123
In the play, this is actually a song of frustration, sung by 4 guys whose love lives amount to not much more than what the title suggests.
@fromthesidelines
Desilu was one of the backers of that Broadway musical.
@markmaifarth1822
My favorite AM Kool 105 station song in Aug 1974 to fathers rocky mountain camping along the Poudre river.
@markpippin5437
I'm the cat who got the cream.
@sofaking8228
I usually do this with a bag of candy and wearing an overcoat.
@johnconway6976
😂
@fromthesidelines
Recorded on March 1, 1956.
@MarkBlackburnWPG
Standing on THE corner (not just any corner) : An American friend -- Samuel Chell, who authored a chapter in a compilation book of essays on what made Sinatra great, just shared a note about Frank Loesser's STANDING ON THE CORNER. Thought my friends here would appreciate this:
' . . . perhaps not "great" like "All the Things You Are" but amply singable, even irresistible. It starts, bam!, with the title, positioning you in the place any male with a touch of voyeurism would want to be. Then you move by single steps through each syllable until the last two--dropping 4 steps for "go" and another 4 for "by." And no need to lose your nickel ice cream cone while satisfying the senses of sight and sound. (I saw your ref to the ample satisfactions that very few coins once could afford--moreover, watching should fit any budget.)
I thought I liked it because of the 4 Lads (who rarely harmonized-
why'd they need 4 guys?). But talk about a pop song with pedigree! Composed by the great Frank Loesser and the one Broadway musical that comes closer than any other to full-blown opera! I took a class to Milwaukee for my first time of "The Most Happy Fella"--emotionally gripping, esp. when the story brings us to "My Heart Is So Full of You." As I recall, it's "through-composed"-I think that's the term for a musical with no talking. Everything, beginning to end, is sung.But consider your response [if] the title were: "Standing on a corner watching ..." Not the same, is it? I'm not sure why. Does it make me feel more like a vagrant--perhaps engaging in a suspicious or illicit activity? Standing on THE corner centers the activity in a community, perhaps making "watching" and "being watched" equally agreeable to all of the actors in an idyllic place and time.
-- Samuel Chell
Thanks "45prof" for this YouTube version of the original hit recording by The Four Lads -- the 45 rpm record lable and the informed note that the arrangement is by Ray Ellis Orchestra and Chorus.
Celebrated this day at Sinatra Family -- Forum -- "Siriusly Sinatra" - MY FAVORITE VERSION, YOURS TOO? https://sinatrafamily.com/forum/showthread.php/50225-My-Favorite-Version-%28yours-too-%29/page38