Musical cynicism of the 1930s

Libsmasher

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......in popular music. People were cynical about life while the depression was happening, and it showed in lyrics:

Makin' Whoopee (1930 - cynicism about marriage)

Another bride Another June
Another sunny honey moon
another season, another reason
for makin' whoopee

Alot of shoes alot of rice
the groom is nervous he answers twice
its so killin that he's so willin'
To make whoopee

Picture a little love nest
down where the roses cling
Picture the same sweet love nest
Think what a year can bring

He's washing dishes and baby clothes
He's so ambitious he even sews
but don't forget folks thats what you get folks
for makein whoopee


Another bride Another June
Another sunny, a sunny honey moon
another reason, is that season
for makin' whoopee

A mass of shoes, a gang of rice
the groom is nervous that he answers twice
its so Killin this cat's so willin'
To make whoopee

--------------------------------------------------

Let's Have Another Cup Of Coffee (1932 - cynicism about the government and the economy.)

Just around the corner,
There's a rainbow in the sky,
So let's have another cup of coffee,
And let's have another piece of pie.

Trouble's like a bubble,
And the clouds will soon roll by,
So let's have another cup of coffee,
And let's have another piece of pie.

Let a smile be your umbrella,
For it's just an April shower,
Even John D. Rockefeller
Is looking for the silver lining!


Mr. Herbert Hoover
Says that now's the time to buy,

So let's have another cup of coffee,
And let's have another piece of pie!

-------------------------------------------------

Hooray for Hollywood (1937 - Although this song is often played as emblematic of Hollywood, the lyrics are dripping with sarcasm and cynicism directed toward it.)

That screwy, ballyhooey Hollywood!
Where any office boy
Or young mechanic
can be a panic
With just a good-looking pan (pan=face)
And any barmaid
Can be a star maid
If she dances with or without a fan (reference: Sally Rand*)
Hooray for Hollywood!
Where you're terrific
if you're even good!
Where anyone at all from Shirley Temple (child actress)
to Aimee Semple (Aimee Semple McPherson - evangelist)
is equally understood
Come on and try your luck
You could be Donald Duck
Hooray for Hollywood!

Hooray for Hollywood!
That phony, super Coney, Hollywood
They come from Chilicothes and Padukahs
with their bazookas (it could refer to so many things!)
To see their names up in lights
All armed with photos
From local rotos
With their hair in curlers
and legs in tights
Hooray for Hollywood!
You may be homely in your neighborhood.
Still, if you think that you can be an actor
See Mister Factor (Max Factor - makeup artist)
He'd make a monkey look good!
Within a half an hour
You'll look like Tyrone Power (hunky action star)
Hooray for Hollywood!

---------------------------------------------------
Brother, can you spare a dime? (1932 - a guy fought in World War I - and now wonders why he should be penniless when he sacrificed so much.)

They used to tell me I was building a dream
And so I followed the mob.
When there was earth to plow or guns to bear,
I was always there, right on the job.
They used to tell me I was building a dream
With peace and glory ahead --
Why should I be standing in line, just waiting for bread?
Once I built a railroad, I made it run,
Made it race against time.
Once I built a railroad, now it's done --
Brother, can you spare a dime?

Once I built a tower, up to the sun,
brick and rivet and lime.
Once I built a tower, now it's done --
Brother, can you spare a dime?

Once in khaki suits, gee, we looked swell
Full of that Yankee Doodle-de-dum.
Half a million boots went slogging through hell,
And I was the kid with the drum.

Say, don't you remember they called me Al,
It was Al all the time.
Why don't you remember, I'm your pal --
Say, buddy, can you spare a dime?

Once in khaki suits, ah, gee, we looked swell
Full of that Yankee Doodle-de-dum.
Half a million boots went slogging through hell,
And I was the kid with the drum.

Say, don't you remember they called me Al,
It was Al all the time.
Why don't you remember, I'm your pal --
Buddy, can you spare a dime?
 
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Thanks Libs! Enjoyed the lyrics. Going to "Shuffle Off To Buffalo". (40's?) :)
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