Dames

Written for: Dames (1934)
Performer: Dick Powell & Studio Chorus
Lyric: Al Dubin
Additional British lyric: Charles Dunn
Music: Harry Warren
Year: 1934
Original publisher: Remick Music Corp.

Sheet music version:

Verse 1:

Who writes the words and music for all the girly shows?
No one cares, and no one knows.
Who is the handsome hero some villain always frames?
But who cares if there's a plot or not, when they've got a lot of dames!

Chorus:

What do you go for,
Go see a show for?
Tell the truth, you go to see those beautiful dames.
You spend your dough for
Bouquets that grow for
All those cute and cunning, young and beautiful dames.
Oh, dames are temporary flames to you,
Dames, you don't recall their names, do you?
But their caresses
And home addresses,
Linger in your mem'ry of those beautiful dames.

Verse 2 (from British sheet music):

Who are the great producers for all the big revues?
Who's concerned about that news?
What gets them interested, wins all the big acclaims?
You have it right, it's that thrilling sight of delightful, gorgeous dames!

[Chorus]

Movie version:

Intro:

(Bickering among show producers, all lines spoken)
(Man 1:) No, sir, it's the cast!
(Man 2:) It's the publicity!
(Man 3:) The music!
(Man 4:) I tell you, gentlemen, if I'm going to put any money into this show, I want to be sure that we get the best music possible.
(Man 3:) You're absolutely right. Great songs are what draw people into the theater.
(Man 1:) But you're wrong. The story's what's important. I don't put in a cent until we get the best playwright…
(Man 5:) Listen, no one cares about the story. People want songs!
(Man 2:) You're right, B.C., we've got to get good, snappy music.
(Man 1:) What about the cast? You've got to have a great leading man!
(Man 3:) You've said it!
(Intercom:) Mr. MacDonald of the Commercial Trust…
(Dick Powell:) Can't see him.
(Man 1:) I tell you, it's the story that makes the show!
(Man 5:) No, sir, it's the cast.
(Man 2:) It's the publicity!
(Man 4:) The music!
(More bickering)
(Powell:) Gentlemen, please, please! Just think for a moment:

Verse:

(Powell, spoken:) Who writes the words and music for all the girly shows?
(Powell, sung:) No one cares, and no one knows.
(Powell, spoken:) Who is the handsome hero some villain always frames?
(Powell, sung:) But who cares if there's a plot or not, when they've got a lot of dames!

Chorus 1:

What do you go for,
Go see a show for?
Tell the truth, you go to see those beautiful dames.
(Powell, spoken:) Yes, sir!
(Powell, sung:) You spend your dough for
Bouquets that grow for
All those cute and cunning, young and beautiful dames.
Oh, dames are temporary flames to you,
Dames, you don't recall their names, do you?
But their caresses
And home addresses,
Linger in your mem'ry of those beautiful dames.

Interlude (intercom woman & Powell, spoken lines):

(Intercom buzzes)
(Powell:) Yes?
(Intercom:) Mr. Earl Farrell to see you.
(Powell:) Can't see him!
(Intercom:) Also Mr. George Gershwin.
(Powell:) Tell him tomorrow! Now, gentlemen…
(Intercom buzzes)
(Powell:) Well!?
(Intercom:) Miss Dolly DeVeaux to see you.
(Powell:) Show her right in! Miss DeVeaux?
("Miss DeVeaux" (offscreen):) Yes.
(Powell:) Come right in.
("Miss DeVeaux" (offscreen):) Thank you, kind of you to see me.
(Powell:) Not at all.
(Intercom buzzes)
(Powell:) Yes!?
(Intercom:) Miss Dubin, Miss Warren, Miss Kelly, Miss…
(Powell:) Send 'em all in!
(Girls chattering)
(Powell:) Come right in, girls!

Chorus 2:

(Powell, sung:) Leave your addresses,
My big successes
All depend a lot upon you beautiful dames!
As I was telling all those gentlemen a while ago that:
What do we go for,
Go see a show for?
Tell the truth, we go to see you beautiful dames!
We spend our dough for
Bouquets that grow for
All you cute and cunning, young and beautiful dames!
Oh, dames are necessary to show bus'ness,
Dames, without you, there would be no bus'ness!
Your knees in action,
That's the attraction,
And what good's a show without you beautiful dames?

Coda:

Rehearsal tomorrow, eleven o'clock, be there promptly by then;
Better set your alarm clocks for nine, at least no later than ten!

Interlude:

INSTRUMENTAL

Chorus 3:

(Girls:) What do you go for,
Go see a show for?
Tell the truth, you go to see those beautiful dames.
You spend your dough for
Bouquets that grow for
All those cute and cunning, young and beautiful dames.
Oh, dames are temporary flames to you,
Dames, you don't recall their names, do you?
But their caresses
And home addresses,
(Powell & girls:) Linger in your mem'ry of those beautiful dames!