Standing on the Corner
The Four Lads With Ray Ellis & His Orchestra And Chorus 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 lyrics to "Standing on the Corner" by The Four Lads with Ray Ellis & His Orchestra and Chorus, describe the joy of simply observing beautiful women as they pass by on the street corner. The singer finds it to be a pleasant activity, even suggesting that it might be the best occupation he knows of. He acknowledges that he doesn't currently have a girl, but that won't stop him from dreaming and wishing for one. Instead, he goes to Main Street to "select his imaginary dish."
The second verse emphasizes the same idea: the singer enjoys watching women and it's a harmless enough activity. He acknowledges that he's giving the girls the eye, but it's all in good fun. He encourages the listener to give it a try and see for themselves how enjoyable it can be to stand on a corner and watch the girls go by. In the end, he reminds us that there's nothing wrong with thinking suggestive thoughts or looking at beautiful women, even if we can't always have them.
Overall, the song captures a moment in time where the innocence of such an act was not in question, as the song was written in the 1950s, and the concept of harassment was not yet discussed. It might be interesting to explore how the context of the time period could affect the lyrics, as well as listener interpretation.
Line by Line Meaning
Standing on a corner watching all the girls go by
Observing ladies while leaning on a street corner
Standing on a corner watching all the girls go by
Repeated verse for emphasis
Brother you don't know a nicer occupation
There's no better pastime
Matter of fact, neither do I
I completely agree
Than standing on a corner watching all the girls
It's a particularly enjoyable experience
Watching all the girls, watching all the girls, watching all the girls go by
Reiterating the pleasure of the activity
I'm the cat that got the cream
I feel satisfied and content
Haven't got a girl but I can dream
I don't have a girlfriend at the moment, but I can fantasize
Haven't got a girl but I can wish
I may not have a partner, but I can still hope
So I'll take me down to Main street
I'll stroll down the main avenue
And that's where I select my imaginary dish
This is where I pick out an imaginary companion
Brother if you've got a rich imagination
If you have an active mind
Give it a whirl, give it a try
Try out the experience for yourself
Try standing on a corner watching all the girls
Attempt to leisurely observe women on a street corner
Watching all the girls, watching all the girls, watching all the girls go by
Again, expressing the gratification found in this activity
Brother you can't go to jail for what you're thinking
No legal repercussion for thoughts or fantasies
Or for that woo look in your eye
Not even for a suggestive glance
Standing on the corner watching all the girls
Just looking at the ladies
Watching all the girls, watching all the girls, watching all the girls go by
Exemplifying the amusement gained from the activity
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: COUNT BASIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind