From “Ziegfeld Follies”, 1935.
Words by Ira Gershwin.
Music by Vernon Duke.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
I’m a glum one, it’s explainable
I met someone unattainable
Life’s a bore, the world is my oyster no more
All the papers where I led the news
With my capers now will spread the news
“Superman turns out to be flash-in-the-pan”
Chorus
I’ve flown around the world in a plane
I’ve settled revolutions in Spain
The North Pole I have charted
But can’t get started with you
Around a gold course I’m under par
And all the movies want me to star
I’ve got a house, a showplace
But I get no place with you
You’re so supreme
Lyrics I write of you scheme
Just for the sight of you
Dream both day and night of you
And what good does it do?
In nineteen-twenty nine I sold short
In England I’m presented at court
But you’ve got me down-hearted
‘Cause I can’t get started with you
Chorus
I do a hundred yards in ten flat
The Prince of Wales has copied my hat
With queens I’ve a la carted
But can’t get started with you
The leading tailors follow my styles
And toothpaste ads all feature my smiles
The Astorbilts I visit
But say, what is it with you?
When first we met
How you elated me! Pet
You devastated me! Yet
Now you’ve deflated me
Till you’re my Waterloo
I’ve sold my kisses at a bazaar
And after me they’ve named a cigar
But lately how I’ve smarted
‘Cause I can’t get started with you
Sung here by Laurence Rubenstein: