A song from the musical “What’s in a Name”, 1920.
Words by John Murray Anderson and Jack Yellen.
Music by Milton Ager.
Sheet music provided by Laurence Rubenstein:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- If you aspire to write a show
And you desire to make it go
Please your musical patron
And you’ll be sure of a great run
Borrow a bit of a tune they know
Many the hit of a Broadway show
Is just a variation
Of some old time creation
Chorus
When they play it, ev’rybody listens
Then they say it brings a reminiscence
Of some classical strain, some familiar refrain
Though the writers think they can disguise it
Some first-nighters always recognize it
Soon ev’rybody knows the tune
And then it’s christened that reminiscent melody
- To have a hit in your show, be sure
They feature it in your overture
Intermissions are fine times
For playing it eight or nine times
And when you’re staging it don’t forget
You’ll have a raging hit if you let
Some girl who’s very pretty
Come out and sing your ditty
Sung here by Fred Feild: