Bill
Jerome Kern (m), Oscar Hammerstein II (w)
Show Boat, 1927
VERSE 1
I used to dream that I would discover
The perfect lover some day.
I knew I'd recognize him
If ever he came 'round my way.
I awlays used to fancy then
He's be one of the God-like kind of men
With a giant brain and a noble head
Like the heroes bold in the books I read;
BURTHEN 1
But along came Bill,
Who's not the type at all,
You'd meet him on the street and never notice him;
His form and face,
His manly grace
Are not the kind that you
Would find a statue
And I can't explain,
It's surely not his brain
That makes me thrill.
I love him
Because he's wonderful
Because he's just old Bill.
VERSE 2
He can't play gold, or tennis, or polo,
Or sing a solo, or row.
He isn't half as handsome
As dozens of men that I know.
He isn't tall and straight and slim,
And he dresses far worse than Ted or Jim;
And I can't explain why he should be just
The one, one man in the world for me;
BURTHEN 2
He's just my Bill,
An ordinary boy,
He hasn't got a thing that I can brag about
And yet to be
Upon his knee
So comfy and roomy
Feels natural to me
And I can't explain
It's surely not his brain
That makes me thrill.
I love him
Because he's Bill.
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| Recorded | Performers | Label | Cat.# | Matrix |
|
|
| | Helen Morgan (Victor Young's Orch, Louis Alter, Pno) | Brunswick | 20115 | |
| | Margaret Whiting | Capitol | 1801 | |
| | Dinah Shore (Nathan Van Cleave Orch) | Columbia | 37855 | HCO2097 |
| | Helen Morgan W. Victor Young Orchestra | Columbia | 55005 | BX 12161A |
| | Sophie Tucker | Mercury | 5709 | |
| | Marie Greene | Signature | 15138-B | 274 |
| | Helen Morgan | Victor | 27681 | |
| 02/14/1928 | Helen Morgan | Victor | 21238 | 42443 |
| 02/14/1928 | Helen Morgan | Victor | 25248 | 42443 |
| 01/07/1938 | Adrian Rollini & His Orchestra | Decca | 1638 | 63138 |
| 01/23/1939 | Artie Shaw & His New Music | Bluebird | B10124 | 31825 |
| 05/22/1941 | Ella Logan | Columbia | 36173 | CO30525 |
| 10/31/1941 | Gordon String Qt | Decca | 29119 | 69893 |
| 06/14/1942 | Frances Langford | Decca | 18765-B | 70882 |
| 11/29/1945 | Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra | RCA Victor | 20-1785 | D5VB0966 |
|
Year | Title | Medium | Type | Usage |
|
|
1918 | Oh, Lady! Lady! | stage | stage original | not used/dropped |
1927 | Show Boat | stage | stage original | introduced |