Let's Call the Whole Thing Off
Fred Astaire
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Things have come to a pretty pass, Our romance is growing flat, For you like this and the other While I go for this and that. Goodness knows what the end will be, Oh, I don't know where I'm at It looks as if we two will never be one, Something must be done. You say either and I say ether, You say neither and I say nether, Either, ether, neither, nyther, Let's call the whole thing off! You like potato and I like potahto, You like tomato and I like tomahto, Potato, potahto, tomato, tomahto! Let's call the whole thing off! But oh! If we call the whole thing off, Then we must part. And oh! If we ever part, Then that might break my heart! So, if you like pajamas and I like pajahmas, I'll wear pajamas and give up pajahmas. For we know we need each other, So we better call the calling off off. Let's call the whole thing off! You say laughter and I say lawfter, You say after and I say awfter, Laughter, lawfter, after, awfter, Let's call the whole thing off! You like vanilla and I like vanella, You, sa's'parilla and I sa's'parella, Vanilla, vanella, Choc'late, strawb'ry! Let's call the whole thing off! But oh! If we call the whole thing off, Then we must part And oh! If we ever part, Then that might break my heart So, if you go for oysters and I go for ersters I'll order oysters and cancel the ersters For we know we need each other, So we better call the calling off off Let's call the whole thing off
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Written by: IRA GERSHWIN, GEORGE GERSHWIN
Lyrics © RALEIGH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Music Composition and LyricsThe song "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" is composed by George Gershwin and the lyrics were written by his brother Ira Gershwin.
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PerformanceThe most famous performance of "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" was by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in the 1937 film "Shall We Dance".
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LegacyThis song is recognized in the American Film Institute's "100 Years...100 Songs" list of the greatest songs in the history of American cinema, where it ranked number 34.
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ContextThe song's lyrics humorously highlight the differences in pronunciation between the English-speaking upper and lower classes, with each insisting their pronunciation is correct.
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Featuring SceneThe song is featured in a memorable scene in the film "Shall We Dance" where Astaire and Rogers perform a dance on roller skates.
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Cover VersionsSince its original release, there have been many cover versions of "Let's Call The Whole Thing Off" by various popular artists. Some of them include Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and Billie Holiday.
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Andrews Sisters VersionThe Andrews Sisters recorded the most successful pop version of the song, which peaked at #9 in 1937.
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Song's MessageThe song is used in the film to sum up the central dilemma facing the Astaire character: his professional career conflicts with his personal life.
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SignificanceEven beyond the context of the film, "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" can be seen as a commentary on the inherent difficulties in any relationship, emphasizing that constant arguments over trivial things can lead to the end of the relationship.
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Popular Culture ReferenceThis song has been referenced in popular culture including TV shows and movies like "Friends" and "Glee", showing its continued influence and popularity.
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Citation
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"Let's Call the Whole Thing Off Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 14 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/1025400/Fred+Astaire/Let%27s+Call+the+Whole+Thing+Off>.
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