The PRO was formed in November 1969 by John Arthy, a baker who moonlighted as a BBC session bass player. Arthy discovered a cache of original musical arrangements dating from the 1920s in an attic and on the strength of this find decided to form his own band. The name of the band was inspired by Harry Warren's (Home in) Pasadena. There was a strong revival movement for music of the 1920s at the time (other rival bands included The Temperance Seven); however, Arthy moved this new band in a different direction to most of the revivalists: away from humour and towards more serious, dedicated renditions of the music.
The orchestra’s first vocalist was John "Pazz" Parry, an old friend of Arthy's (the two had both been members of The Water Rats Jazz Band). With Arthy as Bandleader and also performing on the double bass and sousaphone, the PRO soon grew in popularity.
The orchestra became professional in 1975. Their first LP was released in the spring and was premiered at the Midem music fair in Cannes. The orchestra followed this by touring West Germany (where the revival movement was incredibly popular) in the autumn of that year.
The orchestra toured the US in 1993 and 2002.
After John Arthy retired in 1997, it continues to tour and record with Bandleader and singer Duncan Galloway. In 2007 the Orchestra is touring europe: Brussels, Munich, Berlin and scandinavia.
I Can't Dance
The Pasadena Roof Orchestra Lyrics
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It's not a joke, kid, it's a curse.
My luck is changing, it's gotten from
simply rotten to something worse
Who knows, some day I will win too.
I'll begin to reach my prime.
Now though I see what our end is,
I can't give you anything but love, baby.
That's the only thing I've plenty of,baby.
Dream awhile, scheme awhile
We're sure to find
Happiness and I guess
All those things you've always pined for.
Gee I'd like to see you looking swell, baby.
Diamond bracelets Woolworth doesn't sell, baby.
Till that lucky day you know darned well, baby.
I can't give you anything but love.
Rome wasn't built in a day, kid.
You have to pay, kid, for what you get.
But I am willing to wait, dear,
Your little mate, dear, will not forget.
You have a lifetime before you.
I'll adore you, come what may.
Please don't be blue for the present,
When it's so pleasant to hear you say
I can't give you anything but love, baby.
That's the only thing I've plenty of,baby.
Dream awhile, scheme awhile
We're sure to find
Happiness and I guess
All those things you've always pined for.
Gee I'd like to see you looking swell, baby.
Diamond bracelets Woolworth doesn't sell, baby.
Till that lucky day you know darned well, baby.
I can't give you anything but love.
The Pasadena Roof Orchestra's song "I Can't Give You Anything But Love Baby" is a charming rendition of a classic tune that speaks to the struggles of being broke and having nothing to offer but love. It's an enduring representation of the Great Depression era, which was a time of immense economic hardship and despair. The opening lyrics, "Gee, but it's tough to be broke, kid. It's not a joke, kid, it's a curse," capture the sentiment of many who were struggling to make ends meet during that time. The singer laments about their misfortunes, but they also express a sense of hope for the future. They suggest that someday their luck will change and they will be able to provide more material comforts for their loved one. However, for the time being, all they can offer is their love and companionship.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the singer's central message: "I can't give you anything but love, baby. That's the only thing I've plenty of, baby." The singer recognizes that they don't have material wealth to offer, but what they do have is an abundance of love. The song encourages the listener to dream and scheme for a better future while suggesting that happiness can be found even in times of hardship. The final lyrics, "Till that lucky day you know darned well, baby. I can't give you anything but love," reaffirm the singer's commitment to their loved one despite their financial struggles.
Overall, "I Can't Give You Anything But Love Baby" is a poignant and affecting reminder that love and companionship are essential, regardless of one's economic circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
Gee, but it's tough to be broke, kid.
Being poor is really tough and not easy to cope with.
It's not a joke, kid, it's a curse.
Being poor is not funny at all, but actually a terrible fate.
My luck is changing, it's gotten from simply rotten to something worse
Things are starting to look up, but somehow still getting worse.
Who knows, some day I will win too. I'll begin to reach my prime.
There is always a hope to achieve something great in the future.
Now though I see what our end is, All I can spend is just my time.
I know what our future looks like, and all I can offer is my time and affection.
I can't give you anything but love, baby. That's the only thing I've plenty of,baby.
I might not have any wealth or material things, but I can offer you plenty of love.
Dream awhile, scheme awhile We're sure to find Happiness and I guess All those things you've always pined for.
Let's dream and plan together and we will surely find happiness and all the things that you have always wanted.
Gee I'd like to see you looking swell, baby. Diamond bracelets Woolworth doesn't sell, baby.
I'd love to see you looking great and wealthy, even though I cannot afford to buy you diamonds from Woolworth.
Till that lucky day you know darned well, baby. I can't give you anything but love.
Until the day when we are wealthy, you know that all I have to offer is my love.
Rome wasn't built in a day, kid. You have to pay, kid, for what you get.
Great things take time and effort, and nothing comes for free.
But I am willing to wait, dear, Your little mate, dear, will not forget.
I am willing to wait for good things to come, and I promise to never forget you, my little mate.
You have a lifetime before you. I'll adore you, come what may.
You have your whole life ahead of you, and I will always love you no matter what happens.
Please don't be blue for the present, When it's so pleasant to hear you say
Don't be unhappy in the present moment, because it's always pleasant to hear you speak.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dorothy Fields, Jimmy McHugh
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind