The Lady Is A Tramp
She gets too hungry, for dinner at eight
She loves the theater, but doesn't come late
She'd never bother, with people she'd hate
That's why the lady is a tramp
Doesn't like crap games, with barons and earls
Won't go to Harlem, in ermine and pearls
Won't dish the dirt, with the rest of those girls
That's why the lady is a tramp
She loves the free, fresh wind in her hair
Life without care
She's broke, but it's o'k
She hates California, it's cold and it's damp
That's why the lady is a tramp
Doesn't like dice games, with sharpies and frauds
Won't go to Harlem, in Lincolns or Fords
Won't dish the dirt, with the rest of those broads
That's why the lady is a tramp
I've wined and dined on mulligan stew,
and never wished for turkey.
As I hitched and hiked and grifted, too,
from Maine to Albuquerque.
Alas, I missed the Beaux-Arts Ball, and what is twice as sad:
I was never at a party where they honored Noel Ca'ad.
But social circles spin too fast for me;
My Hobohemia is the place to be…..
I get too hungry for dinner at eight, I like the theatre but never come late.
I never bother with people I hate: That's why the lady is a tramp.
I don't like crap games with Barons and Earls,
Won't go to Harlem in ermine and pearls.
Won't dish the dirt with the rest of the girls:
That's why the lady is a tramp.
I like the free fresh wind in my hair, life without care:
I'm broke, it's oke.
Hate California, it's cold and it's damp:
That's why the lady is a tramp.
I go to Coney - the beach is divine.
I go to ball games - the bleachers are fine.
I follow Winchell and read every line:
That's why the lady is a tramp!
I like a prize fight that isn't a fake.
I love the rowing on Central park lake.
I go to opera and stay wide awake:
That's why the lady is a tramp!
I like the green grass under my shoes, what can I lose?
I'm flat! That's that! I'm all alone when I lower my lamp:
That's why the lady is a tramp! Don't know the reason for cocktails at five.
I don't like flying - I'm glad I'm alive.
I crave affection but not when I drive:
That's why the lady is a tramp!
Folks went to London and left me behind.
I missed the crowning - Queen Mary didn't mind.
Won't play Scarlett in "Gone With the Wind":
That's why the lady is a tramp!
I like to hang my hat where I please, sail with the breeze.
No dough - Heigh - Ho! I still like Roosevelt
and think he's a champ:
That's why the lady is a tramp.
Girls get massages, they cry and they moan –
Tell Lizzie Arden to leave me alone.
I'm not so hot but my shape is my own:
That's why the lady is a tramp!
The food at Rector’s is perfect, no doubt.
I wouldn't know what the Ritz is about.
I drop a nickel and coffee comes out:
That's why the lady is a tramp!
I like the sweet fresh rain in my face.
Diamonds and lace - no got, so what?
For Robert Taylor I whistle and stamp:
That's why the lady is a tramp!
"The Lady Is a Tramp" is a show tune from the 1937 Rodgers and Hart musical Babes In Arms in which it was introduced by former child star Mitzi Green. This song is a spoof of New York high society and its strict etiquette (the first line of the verse is significant: "I get too hungry for dinner at eight..."). It has become a popular standard.
Early recordings from 1937 include one by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra, (featuring Edythe Wright on vocals), Midge Williams and Her Jazz Jesters, Sophie Tucker, and Bernie Cummins on the Vocalion records label (#3714).
Lena Horne recorded the song with the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio Orchestra on March 30, 1948. Her performance appeared in the film, Words and Music, a fictionalized biography of the partnership of Rodgers and Hart.
It was recorded by Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald in 1950s and Shirley Bassey in the 1960s, becoming a signature song for each of them. Sinatra also sang it in the film Pal Joey.
In later years, as heard on the first Duets album, Sinatra would often alter the title lyric to "...That's why this chick is a champ.". Fitzgerald would in turn alter the lyrics to praise Sinatra or Sidney Poitier "...and for Frank Sinatra I whistle and stamp!". She and Sinatra sang the song as a duet on the 1967 television special A Man and His Music + Ella + Jobim.
Sammy Davis, Jr. made it a staple song in his live routines. Less conventional interpretations include versions by Alice Cooper, Yes, Tokyo Jihen, and They Might Be Giants.
The Supremes recorded the song on their Rodgers and Hart tribute album titled The Supremes Sing Rodgers & Hart. The group also recorded a version live at the prestigious Copacabana Night Club in New York in 1967.
Sinatra recorded a version of the song in 1968 as a favor to The Beatles. Sammy Cahn wrote new lyrics to the song as a birthday gift to Ringo Starr's wife, Maureen. His recording was pressed as a single as Apple 1. Only one copy was made, and the tape and masters were destroyed. Since there is only one copy, and since Sinatra and the Beatles were both involved, this may be among the most valuable records in the world. The recording has not been bootlegged. Wiki
