Buttons and Bows

The Clark Sisters, Bob Hope

About Buttons and Bows

"Buttons and Bows" is a popular song with music written by Jay Livingston and lyrics by Ray Evans. The song was published in 1947. The song was written for and appeared in the Bob Hope and Jane Russell film The Paleface and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. It was originally written with an Indian theme, but was changed when the director said that would not work in the movie. It was a vocal selection on many radio programs in late 1948. It was reprised in the sequel, Son of Paleface, by Roy Rogers, Jane Russell and Bob Hope. In 2004 it finished #87 in AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs survey of the top tunes in American cinema. The most popular version of the song was recorded by Dinah Shore in 1947 and reached the charts the following year. Charting versions of the song were also recorded by The Dinning Sisters, Betty Rhodes, Evelyn Knight, and Betty Garrett the same year. In addition, the song was recorded by Gene Autry and by Geraldo and his orchestra (with vocalist Doreen Lundy). 


Year:
2003
3:00
130 
#2

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East is east and west is west
And the wrong one I have chose
Let's go where they keep on wearin'
Those frills and flowers and buttons and bows
Rings and things and buttons and bows.

Don't bury me in this prairie
Take me where the cement grows
Let's move down to some big town
Where they love a gal by the cut o' her clothes
And you'll stand out, in buttons and bows.

I'll love you in buckskin
Or skirts that you've homespun
But I'll love ya' longer, stronger 
Where yer friends don't tote a gun

My bones denounce the buckboard bounce
And the cactus hurts my toes
Let's vamoose where gals keep a-usin'
Those silks and satins and linen that shows
And I'm all yours in buttons and bows.

Gimme eastern trimmin' where women are women
In high silk hose and peek-a-boo clothes
And French perfume that rocks the room
And I'm all yours in buttons and bows.

Buttons and bows, buttons and bows

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Bob Hope

Bob Hope, KBE, KCSG, KSS, born Leslie Townes Hope, (May 29, 1903 – July 27, 2003) was an English-born American comedian and actor who appeared on Broadway, in vaudeville, movies, television, and on the radio. He was noted for his numerous United Service Organizations (USO) shows entertaining American military personnel—he made 57 tours for the USO between 1942 and 1988. Throughout his long career, he was honored for this work. In 1996, the U.S. Congress declared him the "first and only honorary veteran of the U.S. armed forces." more »

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Written by: Jay Livingston, Ray Evans

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Musical Origins
"Buttons and Bows" is a popular song with music written by Jay Livingston and lyrics by Ray Evans.
Movie Appearance
The song was originally written for and appeared in the Bob Hope and Jane Russell movie "The Paleface" in 1948.
Singers and Performance
While Bob Hope performs the song in the film, it is most often associated with Dinah Shore who recorded the most popular version of the song.
Academy Award Recognition
"Buttons and Bows" won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1948.
Worthwhile Trivia
In an interesting twist, Bob Hope, despite being known mostly for his comedic work, was actually nominated for two Best Original Song Oscars in his career, one of which was for "Buttons and Bows".
Song Structure
The song is a wistful longing for the simpler life, a common theme in many classic Hollywood westerns.
Chart Success
The Dinah Shore recording of the song went to number one on the Billboard charts where it stayed for 10 weeks.
Cover Versions
Over the years, the song has been covered by many artists, including Bing Crosby, Gene Autry, and even the Muppets.
Song Lyrics
The song's lyrics poke fun at the fuss and bother of city life and yearn for simpler things, summed up in the refrain about preferring buttons and bows to fancy clothes and shows.
Song's Legacy
Despite its age, "Buttons and Bows" continues to be a staple in the repertoire of artists performing music from Hollywood's Golden Age.

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