If lyrics were meant to be read, you could deliver them this way: “Strike up the band” “I want to hear a Yankee Doodle Theme” with “three little words” that “accentuate the positive”. “Life’s a song so let’s sing it together” about “a few of my favorite things”, “A cup of coffee, a sandwich and you”.
“I got a right to sing the blues”, “I ain’t got nothin’ but the blues”, “my handyman ain’t handy no more” and “I’m in the mood for love”. “Why try to change me now?” “I’ve got you under my skin” and “it’s never to late to fall in love”. “It’s delightful, it’s delicious, it’s delectable, it’s delirious, it’s dilemma, it’s delimit, it’s deluxe, it’s de-lovely” and “it’s all right with me”. So “Let’s do it”. “Let’s face the music and dance.” “The joint is jumpin'” and “I’ve got rhythm”, “crazy rhythm”, “fascinating rhythm”; ” what a perfect combination”. “Who could ask for anything more?” We’re reading lyrics here.
(Hosted by Christopher Lydon)
Guests:
Robert Kimball and Robert Gottlieb, editors of “Reading Lyrics.”