Throughout the years, and changing line-ups, the group maintained a strong fan-base among jazz fans of all ages.
Lulu
The Dave Brubeck Quartet Lyrics
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Where'd she put my razor blade?
She mislaid it, I'm afraid,
It's gotta be foun'!
Ask her when she cleaned my room
What she did with my perfume;
I just can't lose it,
I've gotta use it,
Gotta get my old tuxedo pressed,
Gotta sew a button on my vest,
'Cause tonight I've gotta look my best,
Lulu's back in town.
Gotta get a half a buck somewhere,
Gotta shine my shoes and slick my hair,
Gotta get myself a boutonniere,
Lulu's back in town.
You can tell all my pets,
All my Harlem coquettes;
Mister Otis regrets
That he won't be aroun'.
You can tell the mailman not to call,
I ain't comin' home until the fall,
And I might not get back home at all,
Lulu's back in town.
You can bet I've got it bad,
Best complaint I've ever had;
We'll be stepping out tonight,
An' struttin', an' how.
We're in for the swellest time,
Finish up without a dime;
Look here, you fellers,
I'll make you jealous,
My Lulu, she's a wow.
Gotta get my old tuxedo pressed,
Gotta sew a button on my vest,
'Cause tonight I've gotta look my best,
Lulu's back in town.
Gotta get a half a buck somewhere,
Gotta shine my shoes and slick my hair,
Gotta get myself a boutonniere,
Lulu's back in town.
You can tell all my pets,
All my blondes and brunettes;
Mister Otis regrets
That he won't be aroun'.
You can tell the mailman not to call,
I ain't comin' home until the fall,
And I might not get back home at all,
Lulu's back in town.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet's song "Lulu's Back In Town" is an ode to Lulu, a captivating woman who has returned to town, causing the singer to go on a mission to clean up and look his best. The song tells a story of a man who is frantic to prepare himself for Lulu's arrival. The first verse talks about how the careless chambermaid had misplaced his razor blade and perfume. The second verse says that he needs to press his old tuxedo, sew a button on his vest, shine his shoes, slick his hair, and get a boutonniere - all to look his best. The final verse reveals that he won't be returning home for a while and might not get back home at all.
The song is a great representation of love, excitement, and anticipation, as the singer can't wait for Lulu's arrival. The lyrics give an insight into how people used to perceive love and courtship in the early 20th century. It highlights the extent to which people would go to impress their love interest and offers a nostalgic throwback to a simpler time when the smallest of things used to matter.
Line by Line Meaning
Where's that careless chambermaid?
I need to find that irresponsible maid who might have misplaced something of mine
Where'd she put my razor blade?
I am in search for my razor blade and I don't know where it is
She mislaid it, I'm afraid,
I fear the maid might have lost it
It's gotta be foun'!
I must find it no matter what
Ask her when she cleaned my room
I need to ask her where my razor blade is because she cleaned my room
What she did with my perfume;
I also need to know what happened to my perfume
I just can't lose it,
I am too attached to it and cannot let it be lost
I've gotta use it,
I have to make use of it
'Cause Lulu's back in town.
I need to look and smell good because Lulu is in town
Gotta get my old tuxedo pressed,
I need to iron my old tuxedo so it looks neat and tidy
Gotta sew a button on my vest,
I also have to sew a button that fell from my vest
'Cause tonight I've gotta look my best,
I must look my best tonight
Gotta get a half a buck somewhere,
I need to find some money, no matter how little
Gotta shine my shoes and slick my hair,
I must also polish my shoes and hair
Gotta get myself a boutonniere,
I need to buy myself a corsage for the occasion
Lulu's back in town.
I must do all these preparations because Lulu is back in town
You can tell all my pets,
Please inform all my friends
All my Harlem coquettes;
especially the ones I have in Harlem
Mister Otis regrets
I am sorry to inform Mr. Otis
That he won't be aroun'.
That he won't be around
You can tell the mailman not to call,
Please inform the mailman not to expect me
I ain't comin' home until the fall,
I won't be back until Autumn
And I might not get back home at all,
And there is a possibility that I won't return at all
Lulu's back in town.
I am too focused on Lulu to return home soon
You can bet I've got it bad,
I am deeply in love with Lulu
Best complaint I've ever had;
This is the best problem I have ever encountered
We'll be stepping out tonight,
We have plans to go out tonight
An' struttin', an' how.
And we are going to strut our stuff
We're in for the swellest time,
We are going to have an excellent time
Finish up without a dime;
We don't need money to have fun
Look here, you fellers,
Hey guys,
I'll make you jealous,
I am going to make you envious
My Lulu, she's a wow.
Lulu is amazing and impressive
All my blondes and brunettes;
Please inform all the ladies I know, regardless of their hair color
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: AL DUBIN, HARRY WARREN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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