Standing on the Corner
The Four Lads And Ray Ellis 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 Four Freshmen's "Standing On The Corner" is a lively and playful song, detailing the joys of standing on a street corner and watching all the passing girls. In the first verse, the singer describes the activity as a pleasant and enjoyable occupation that he shares with his brother. The chorus emphasizes the sheer pleasure of watching the girls go by. The second verse highlights the singer's dreaming and wishing for a girl, but until then, he finds satisfaction in his imaginary selections on Main Street. The third verse reassures the audience that the activity is harmless and that one cannot be charged for their thoughts or their look. Overall, the song paints a picture of a carefree and innocent time in American popular culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Standing on a corner watching all the girls go by
I'm just hanging around here, spending my time watching attractive girls passing by on this street corner.
Standing on a corner watching all the girls go by
There's nothing better than this activity for me to do, and maybe you feel the same way as well.
Brother you don't know a nicer occupation
There's no better way to occupy my time than this.
Matter of fact, neither do I
In fact, I can't think of anything else that's more pleasant than this.
Than standing on a corner watching all the girls
Watching all these girls is just so fascinating, I can't pull myself away.
Watching all the girls, watching all the girls, watching all the girls go by
I'm completely fixated on observing these women, not wanting to miss out on any of them.
I'm the cat that got the cream
Even though I don't actually have a girlfriend right now, I'm feeling pretty good about the prospect of finding one.
Haven't got a girl but I can dream
Without a girlfriend right now, I can still dream about having one in the future.
Haven't got a girl but I can wish
Although I don't have a girlfriend at the moment, I can still hope for one to come along.
So I'll take me down to Main street
I'll head down to the main street area for more opportunities to watch those lovely ladies.
And that's where I select my imaginary dish
Yes, I'll be looking around to find that special girl that can satisfy my imagination.
Standing on a corner watching all the girls go by
It's just great to stay at this corner, watching a stream of beautiful women pass me by.
Standing on a corner giving all the girls the eye
I'm not just watching them, but also checking them out with some suggestive looks.
Brother if you've got a rich imagination
If you've got a wild imagination like mine, then this is the perfect activity for you to try.
Give it a whirl, give it a try
Go ahead and try it, you might be surprised at how much you enjoy it.
Try standing on a corner watching all the girls
This is something you should experience for yourself, and see how good it feels.
Watching all the girls, watching all the girls, watching all the girls go by
It's amazing how much pleasure one can derive just by watching these ladies going about their daily business.
Brother you can't go to jail for what you're thinking
You won't get arrested just for thinking impure thoughts about these women, so go ahead and let your mind wander.
Or for that woo look in your eye
Even if you get caught checking out a particularly attractive one, it's not like you can get in trouble for that.
Standing on the corner watching all the girls
I'm going to keep standing right here on this corner, watching every girl that comes my way.
Watching all the girls, watching all the girls, watching all the girls go by
Every girl is unique and fascinating in her own way, and I'm not going to miss a single one of them.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Frank Loesser
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