The Magic Show - Lyrics and Song Stories

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. Copyright by Stephen Schwartz (ASCAP)

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"Lion Tamer" | "Two's Company" | "Up to His Old Tricks" | "Style"

Lion Tamer - Lyrics

Lion Tamer

I'd like to be a lion tamer,
Sequins and tights and silk top hats.
I know I could be a lion tamer,
I've always gotten along with cats.

I'd have a whip but never use it,
I'd simply hold it in my hand.

I'd like to be a lion tamer.
If I could be a lion tamer
I would be someone grand.

I couldn't be a ballerina,
I never could stand on my toes.
I couldn't be a Spanish dancer,
I'd look ridiculous with a rose.

But ev'ryone has a special calling,
Something that only she can do.

I could be such a lion tamer.
If I could be lion tamer
I would be special too.

I could begin with baby leopards,
Move on to tiger cubs and then,
After I learned to handle lions,
Maybe I could work up to men.

I never wanted fancy mansions,
Butlers and footmen liveried.
I never wanted lots of money,
Money can't buy what you really need.

I never prayed for any favors,
But here I am on knobby knee.

Please let me be a lion tamer.
If I could be a lion tamer,
Wouldn't he have to finally notice me?

Sheet Music for Lion Tamer - Stephen Schwartz Songbook

"Lion Tamer" - by digital download

"Two's Company" Lyrics

TWO'S COMPANY

HEY, YOU with THE SORROWFUL GAZE
YOU BETTER START SINGING THE BLUES…
YOU'RE DUE FOR ONE OF THOSE DAYS
YOU'RE IN FOR A PSYCHOLOGICAL BRUISE
I HATE TO SPEAK IN CLICHES
STILL WHAT CAN I SAY, BUT…
IT'S TIME TO TROT OUT THAT WELL-WORN PHARASE
(HERE WE GO)
"TWO'S COMPANY, AND THREE IS A YOU-KNOW-WHAT…"

I'LL BET YOU A MILLION LIRA
HONEY YOU'RE ABOUT TO HEAR A
SEE-YA-LATER IF YOU EVER HEARD ONE
TWO'S COMPANY, AND LITTLE LADY, YOU'RE THE THIRD ONE
(WAVE GOOD-BYE)

IT'S A FAMOUS IF UNWRITTEN LAW
THAT WHEN A MAN IS SMITTEN
HOW HE TREATS HIS OTHER FRIENDS IS OBSCENE
TWO'S COMPANY, AND YOU ARE SUDDENLY A ONE-GIRL MOB SCENE

AIN'T IT ROTTEN FEELIN' LIKE A SECOND FIDDLE
A THIRD NOSTRIL
A FOURTH MUSKETEER?
AIN'T IT ROTTEN FEELIN' LIKE A FIFTH WHEEL
WELL, YOUR SIXTH SENSE OUGHTA TELL YOU DEAR
BEFORE THE HINTS GET ANY LOUDER
NOW'S THE TIME TO TAKE A POWDER
YOU'RE ABOUT AS WELCOME AS A SKUNK AT A TEA
TWO'S COMPANY, WHICH MAKES YOU NOTHIN' BUT A
C – R – O – W – D!

TWO'S COMPANY, DONCHA KNOW THAT
TWO'S COMPANY, SO YOU BETTER
PART COMPANY with US AT THE COUNT OF
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!

Up to His Old Tricks

Hey, can't you just feel the strange excitement
The quiet commotion that we share
There's something like tingling in the darkness
There's something electric in the air
'Cause there's one thing I know turns a man of sixty
Back into a child of six:
Watching Dunninger, Houdini
Or Doug—the magic man
Up to his old tricks

You go spend an evening at the movies
And smile at the shadows on the screen
You turn on a radio or record
And dance to a voice you've never seen
But they don't make you gasp like a silly schoolboy
Or giggle like a bunch of hicks
Not like Dunninger, Houdini
Or Doug—the magic man
Up to his old tricks

Clap clap
Pop up the dusty flowers
Hooray, hoorah
Break out the bowl of goldfish and the scarves
Ooh…ahhh
Saw the beautiful lady in half again….

Wasn't that illusion fun?
Not if you know how it's done

It may not be the world's most esteemed profession
But if sure beats law or politics
So here's to Dunninger, Houdini
And Doug—our magic man
Up to his old tricks.

"Style"

Style – from The Magic Show, Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz - Broadway version.

As I was saying to my dear old friend, Rex Reed, the other day
To succeed
You don't want brains or talent, diligence or guile
No, my simple little friend, the thing you need
To make your way
Is what the hoittiest-toits in the uppermost crust have
The one thing you must have
Is style

It's a matter of style, flair,
Je ne sais quoi
without it you're a bust
You gotta come on with that smile, that air
That qu'est-ce que c'est ca
As I told Jascha Heifetz
In our line of life it's
A must

They say clothes make the man if they beautifully adorn ya
From cuff to trouser leg to blouse
Now my clothes of course are by Devore of California
And who does yours—Levi Strauss

It's a matter of style, flair
Je ne sais quoi
Bravura, so to speak
You gotta come out with that smile, that air
That qu'est-ce que c'est ca
As I told Karen Horney
The day I was born I
Was chic

Alouette, gentil alouette
Alouette, je te plumerait
I don't mean to undercut you
You're a cute kid, sonny, but you
Haven't a chance of success

Still as I promised
Joanne Woodward
I'll put in a good word
No, don't thank me—I know
Quelle largesse

You see I got style, flair
Je ne sais quoi
That's what turns the wheel
Savoir faire, qu'est-ce que c'est ca
As I told Conrad Hilton
It gives us that built-in
Appeal

When a smart looking gent leads a classy
Mademoiselle in
You figure he's a classy man
Now I've got this Garbo, this Salome, this Helen
And who've you got—Raggedy Ann

You don't have the style, flair
Je ne sais quoi
What more can I say
You gotta come on with that smile, that air
That qu'est-ce que c'est ca
As I told Carlo Ponti
It's who's got the
gentil plumerait
Gentil plumerait
Face it kid—
You're out of your league.

The Magic Show - Recordings

Music CDs

The Magic Show

[1974 Original Broadway Cast], January Records, 1998. The Magic Show [new browser window]

• Includes: Up To His Old Tricks, Solid Silver Platform Shoes, Lion Tamer, Style, Two's Company, Charmin's Lament, Goldfarb Variations, West End Avenue, Sweet, Sweet, Sweet, Before Your Very Eyes, Finale

"Two's Company"

• Alice Ripley and Emily Skinner - Duets - (Varese Sarabande, 1998)
  Duets [new browser window]

DVD