There's No Business Like Show Business
The Rat Pack Lyrics


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There's no business like show business like no business I know
Everything about it is appealing, everything that traffic will allow
Nowhere could you get that happy feeling when you are stealing that extra bow

There's no people like show people, they smile when they are low
Even with a turkey that you know will fold, you may be stranded out in the cold
Still you wouldn't change it for a sack of gold, let's go on with the show
The butcher, the baker, the grocer, the clerk
Are secretly unhappy men because
The butcher, the faker, the grocer, the clerk
Get paid for what they do but no applause
They'd gladly bid their dreary jobs goodbye for anything theatrical and why?

There's no business like show business and I tell you it's so
Traveling through the country is so thrilling, standing out in front on opening nights
Smiling as you watch the theater filling, and there's your billing out there in lights

There's no people like show people, they smile when they are low
Angels come from everywhere with lots of jack, and when you lose it, there's no attack
Where could you get money that you don't give back? Let's go on with the show

(There's no business like show business like no business I know)
You get word before the show has started that your favorite uncle died at dawn
Top of that, your pa and ma have parted, you're broken-hearted, but you go on

(There's no people like show people, they smile when they are low)




Yesterday they told you you would not go far, that night you open and there you are
Next day on your dressing room they've hung a star, let's go on with the show!

Overall Meaning

The Rat Pack's song "There's No Business Like Show Business" explores the charming yet tumultuous world of show business. The opening line of the song itself, "There's no business like show business like no business I know," puts emphasis on the unique environment of show business. The song goes on to extol the appealing aspects of show business: the thrill of performing and getting applause, the camaraderie among those in the industry, and the fact that nothing can dampen the spirits of show people.


But the song also acknowledges the high stakes and risks that come with show business. The line "Even with a turkey that you know will fold, you may be stranded out in the cold" speaks to the possibility of failure and how it can leave performers without a job. Despite this, the song suggests that show business is still more compelling than other, more stable jobs. The lyrics "The butcher, the baker, the grocer, the clerk, are secretly unhappy men because" contrasts the mundanity of everyday jobs to the excitement and allure of show business.


Line by Line Meaning

There's no business like show business like no business I know
There is nothing quite like show business that I am aware of


Everything about it is appealing, everything that traffic will allow
Every aspect of it is attractive and permissible


Nowhere could you get that happy feeling when you are stealing that extra bow
You cannot experience the joy of stealing the show anywhere else


There's no people like show people, they smile when they are low
There are no people like performers who can still smile even when they are feeling down


Even with a turkey that you know will fold, you may be stranded out in the cold
Even if the show is a failure and you are left with nothing, you may be left stranded outside in the cold


Still you wouldn't change it for a sack of gold, let's go on with the show
However, you still wouldn't trade it for any amount of money, and would rather continue with the show


The butcher, the baker, the grocer, the clerk
Regular working-class people such as butchers, bakers, grocers, and clerks


Are secretly unhappy men because
They are secretly unhappy because


The butcher, the baker, the grocer, the clerk
Regular working-class people such as butchers, bakers, grocers, and clerks


Get paid for what they do but no applause
They get paid for their work, but receive no recognition or applause


They'd gladly bid their dreary jobs goodbye for anything theatrical and why?
They would happily leave their monotonous jobs for anything theatrical and for what reason?


There's no business like show business and I tell you it's so
There is truly nothing quite like show business


Traveling through the country is so thrilling, standing out in front on opening nights
Traveling throughout the country is extremely exciting, especially when performing on opening nights


Smiling as you watch the theater filling, and there's your billing out there in lights
You smile as you watch the theater fill up with people, and you see your name in bright lights


Angels come from everywhere with lots of jack, and when you lose it, there's no attack
Generous people come from all over with lots of money, and if you lose it, there is no backlash


Where could you get money that you don't give back? Let's go on with the show
Where else could you get money that you don't have to repay? So let's keep going with the show


(There's no business like show business like no business I know)
(There is nothing quite like show business that I am aware of)


You get word before the show has started that your favorite uncle died at dawn
You receive news before the show starts that your beloved uncle passed away earlier that day


Top of that, your pa and ma have parted, you're broken-hearted, but you go on
In addition to that, your parents have split up, causing you emotional pain, but you carry on


(There's no people like show people, they smile when they are low)
(There are no people like performers who can still smile even when they are feeling down)


Yesterday they told you you would not go far, that night you open and there you are
The previous day, someone said you wouldn't make much progress, but that night, you open the show and prove them wrong


Next day on your dressing room they've hung a star, let's go on with the show!
The next day, you find that they've adorned your dressing room with a star, so let's continue with the show!




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Irving Berlin

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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