Cocktails for Two

"Cocktails for Two" is a song from the Big Band era, written by Arthur Johnston and Sam Coslow. According to the website noted in this article, the song originated with the 1934 movie Murder At the Vanities.

Related Topics:
Big Band - Arthur Johnston - Sam Coslow - Murder At the Vanities

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As that writeup notes, it is best remembered today due to its parody by Spike Jones and His City Slickers, transcribed below. However, the writeup also implies that Jones first recorded it in 1956. In fact, according to the CD The Best of Spike Jones, from which this transcription is taken, the Slickers first recorded it as early as 1944.

Related Topics:
Spike Jones and His City Slickers - 1956 - 1944

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The song starts "straight", complete with violins, harp and choir, solo by Carl Grayson.

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:Oh what delight to be given the right to be carefree and gay once again

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:No longer shrinking, respectably drinking, like civilized ladies and men

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:No longer need we miss a charming scene like this

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At the word "rendezvous", the orchestration suddenly switches to Dixieland, in the typical Jones style, complete with many sound effects, while Grayson continues to sing "straight", just fast enough to keep up.

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:In some secluded rendezvous ("Whoopee!" - police whistle - bang!)

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:That overlooks the avenue (car horns honking)

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:With someone sharing a delightful chat ("Yikkity-yikkity!")

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:Of this and that and cocktails for two (clink-clink of glasses)

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:As we enjoy a cigarette (loud, deep cough)

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:To some exquisite chansonette ("square dance"-type fiddle)

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:Two hands are sure to slyly meet beneath

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:A serviette with cocktails for two (clink-clink of glasses)

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:My head may go reeling (slide whistle)

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:But my heart will be obedient (boom-boom!)

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:With intoxicating kisses for the principal ingredient (pop of cork, drinking sounds)

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:Most any afternoon at five (clang-clang-clang-clang of firebell)

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:We'll be so glad we're both alive (inhale-exhale "ah!")

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:Then maybe fortune will complete her plan

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:That all began with cocktails for two (clink of glasses)

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Dixieland instrumental interlude with all manner of moderately disgusting drinking sound effects, "birdaphone", etc.

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Return to slow rendition with Grayson and chorus.

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:Most any afternoon at five (Monday through Sunday at five)

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:We'll be so glad we're both alive (we'll be so glad we're alive)

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:Then maybe fortune will complete her plan

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:That all began with cocktails for two (hic!) two (hic-hic!) two-dee-doo (hic!)

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