Buttons and Bows
Tony Baker and his orchestra Lyrics


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East is east and west is west
And the wrong one I have chose
Let's go where they keep on wearin'
Those frills and flowers and buttons and bows
Rings and things and buttons and bows.

Don't bury me in this prairie
Take me where the cement grows
Let's move down to some big town
Where they love a gal by the cut o' her clothes
And you'll stand out, in buttons and bows.

I'll love you in buckskin
Or skirts that you've homespun
But I'll love ya' longer, stronger
Where yer friends don't tote a gun

My bones denounce the buckboard bounce
And the cactus hurts my toes
Let's vamoose where gals keep a-usin'
Those silks and satins and linen that shows
And I'm all yours in buttons and bows.

Gimme eastern trimmin' where women are women
In high silk hose and peek-a-boo clothes
And French perfume that rocks the room
And I'm all yours in buttons and bows.





Buttons and bows, buttons and bows

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Tony Baker and his orchestra's song Buttons and Bows highlight the longing to move away from the traditional and rustic lifestyle of the prairies and embrace the glamour and fashion of life in the big city. The singer expresses regret for choosing the wrong place to live and desires to move to a place where women are fashionable and are appreciated for their clothing choices. The song mentions that the singer will love their partner in any attire, but longer and stronger where their friends don't carry guns. The chorus emphasizes the desire for elegance and luxury as the singer declares their willingness to be all theirs in "buttons and bows," a reference to the frills, flowers, and trimmings that would denote glamour and sophistication.


Line by Line Meaning

East is east and west is west
The two are distinct and shouldn't be confused


And the wrong one I have chose
I've made a mistake in my travels


Let's go where they keep on wearin'
We should visit a place where people dress a certain way


Those frills and flowers and buttons and bows
Describing the type of clothing I find appealing


Rings and things and buttons and bows.
More detail about what I consider attractive in fashion


Don't bury me in this prairie
I don't want to be laid to rest in this place


Take me where the cement grows
I want to go somewhere more metropolitan


Let's move down to some big town
Let's relocate to a larger city


Where they love a gal by the cut o' her clothes
I want to live in a place where people appreciate fashion


And you'll stand out, in buttons and bows.
I want to dress in a way that will make me noticeable in this new place


I'll love you in buckskin
I'll love you in any clothing


Or skirts that you've homespun
Even if it's not high fashion apparel


But I'll love ya' longer, stronger
My love for you is not based on your clothes


Where yer friends don't tote a gun
I'd prefer to live in a place where guns aren't necessary


My bones denounce the buckboard bounce
I don't enjoy the bumpy ride of a horse-drawn vehicle


And the cactus hurts my toes
I'm not used to the desert environment


Let's vamoose where gals keep a-usin'
Let's go somewhere where women dress nicely


Those silks and satins and linen that shows
The type of fabrics I find attractive in women's clothing


And I'm all yours in buttons and bows.
I'll be devoted to you wherever we go


Gimme eastern trimmin' where women are women
I want to see a different style in women's fashion


In high silk hose and peek-a-boo clothes
I want to see women in clothing that reveals more of their bodies


And French perfume that rocks the room
I find French perfume attractive


And I'm all yours in buttons and bows.
I'll be loyal to you regardless of where we go or what you wear


Buttons and bows, buttons and bows
The phrase that serves as the chorus and the title of the song




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jay Livingston, Ray Evans

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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