Too Cold to Cut the Mustard
Rosemary Clooney Marlene Dietrich Lyrics
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Too old
He's too old to cut the mustard anymore
Too old
Too old
He's too old to cut the mustard anymore
Once, I kissed a millionaire
The whole thing turned out pretty grim
'Cause none of his hair belonged to him
Too old
Too old
He's too old to cut the mustard anymore
(He's getting) too old
Too old
He's too old to cut the mustard anymore
Oh, you ain't gotta know where the big seat ends
Swore he was an Army Man
And he got dressed up fit to kill
In the uniform he wore at the Bunker Hill
Too old
Too old
He's too old to cut the mustard anymore
(He's getting) too old
Too old
He's too old to cut the mustard anymore
I entertained a necktie I know
The mood was high and the lights were low
He said "it's time to play the scene"
"But it's time to drink my Ovaltine"
Too old
Too old
He's too old to cut the mustard anymore
(He's getting) too old
Too old
He's too old to cut the mustard anymore
It seems that every man you meet
Wants to sweep you off his feet
Gals, before you do submit
Make him show his birth certificate
Too old
Too old
He's too old to cut the mustard anymore
(He's getting) too old
Too old
He's too old to cut the mustard anymore
The song "Too Old to Cut the Mustard" is a humorous take on the idea of aging and how it affects one's abilities. The song is sung as a duet between Rosemary Clooney and Marlene Dietrich. The lyrics describe how the main character was once youthful and full of energy, but now they are old and gray, unable to do the things they once could.
The song reflects on how the perception of aging affects the way we are viewed by others. The character reminisces about being able to jump like a deer and fight off gals with a stick but how now they are lucky if they can jump an inch. This speaks to the idea that society places higher value on youthfulness and physical prowess.
The chorus "Too old, too old, he's too old to cut the mustard anymore" is repeated several times throughout the song, driving home the idea that the main character is no longer capable of being a productive member of society. The catchy melody and humorous lyrics are what make this song a classic.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, when I was young I had a lotta pep
Back in my younger days, I had a lot of energy and enthusiasm
I could get around I didn't need no help
I was self-sufficient and didn't require assistance
But since I'm old and a gettin' gray
Now that I'm older and my hair is turning gray
The people all look at me and say
People now make remarks about my age and abilities
Too old, too old, he's too old
I am now considered too old to perform certain tasks
To cut the mustard anymore
I am no longer capable of meeting expectations or standards
Buddy's gettin' too old, Buck's done got too old
My peers are also facing the same issue of reduced ability due to age
I used to could, jump just like a deer
I was once able to leap like a nimble deer
Now I need a new landing gear
Due to my age, I require assistance to land or step down
I used to could, jump a picket fence
In the past, I could jump over a picket fence with ease
But now I'm lucky if I jump an inch
Nowadays, all I can manage is to jump a mere inch or two
Well, when I was young I had an automobile
During my youth, I owned a car
Scoot myself right under the wheel
I was agile enough to easily slide myself under the vehicle
I had to fight the gals off with a stick
Women used to pursue me so actively I had to fend them off
But now they say he makes me sick
Nowadays, women are repulsed by my age and poor physical state
Buck's too old, to cut the mustard anymore
In summary, Buck is now unable to meet the mark due to his advanced age
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: William Carlisle
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@RD0810
Mama, he’s pulling at my hair
Mama, he wants to wrestle too
Mama, he threw me in the chair,
Mama, Mama tell me what to do
Dot’s nice, don’na fight, ev’rything gonna be all right
Dot’s nice, don’na fight, have a piece of fruit
Mama, Mama, he’s an awful brute. Mama, Mama
So help yourself to a piece of fruit
Mama, he’s squeezing me to death,
Mama, my arms are black and blue
Mama, he’s got me out of breath
Mama, Mama tell me what to do
Dot’s nice, don’na fight, ev’rything gonna be all right
Dot’s nice, don’na fight, have a piece of fruit
Mama, he’s pulling at my hair
Mama, did pop do that to you?
Mama, he’s growling in my ear,
Mama, Mama tell me what to do
I know
Dot’s nice, don’na fight, ev’rything gonna be all right
Dot’s nice, don’na fight, have a piece of fruit
Have a piece of fruit, have a piece of fruit.
@63LAURIE
They make an incongruous but very appealing pair-love the songs they did. They were good friends too.
@marguitar1
These are rare pics! She is adorable!
@ApoloExpress
oh man this is so cute!! 1:38 "i know" ahaha love her i love this song, it's such a mother-daughter conversation where the mom just doesn't wanna hear it <3 RC <3 MD
@jeffmissinne3866
The music was written by Ross Bagdasarian, Sr. (aka DAVID SEVILLE of Alvin and the Chipmunks,) lyrics by Max Showalter (who acted under the name Casey Adams.) Bagdasarian and his cousin, playwright William Saroyan, wrote "Come-On-a-My House," also a hit for Clooney (though she reputedly hated the song!)
@rjcjr7846
CLASSIC.....LOVE IT!!!
@PaulDayPrivateEye
YAY! Wife beating!
Are you fucking kidding me?
@Rudipolt
Aloha from Hawaii Mahalo.
@LilyMarleneDietrich
@marguitar1 Yes, her face is so expressive! Thank you ;-))
@marguitar1
@LilyMarleneDietrich I know, she could convey anything she wanted with her goregous face!
@TheCarmela07
People of Good Will!) Please anybody write the lyrics of this song - there is nowhere in Google(((