IF YOU BUILD A BETTER MOUSETRAP
(Victor L. Schertzinger (m) / Johnny Mercer (l) 1941)

Bob Eberly & Helen O’Connell December 10 1941
Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra

Also sung by:
Betty Hutton (Jimmy Dorsey)
Peggy Lee
Benny Goodman



(Eberly)
If you build a better mousetrap
Grin a better grin
Roll a better eye to
All the boys will try to
Chuck you 'neath the chin.

(O'Connell)
If you make a better moonface
When you’re with the chicks
Whisper better whispers
How you gonna miss
Persuadin’ five or six.

(Eberly & O'Connell)
That’s the way to be successful
So we’re gettin’ wise
We’re kissin’ better kisses
Sayin’ sweeter nothins (O'Connell)
Lyin’ bigger lies (Eberly)
And we’re squeezin’ better squeezes (Eberly & O'Connell)
Teasin’ better teases
Everything pleases but gee
Why doesn’t anything happen to me. (O'Connell)

(bridge)

That’s the way to be successful (Eberly & O'Connell)
So we’re gettin’ wise
We’re kissin’ better kisses
Sayin’ sweeter nothin’s (O'Connell)
Lyin’ bigger lies. (Eberly)
And we’re sqeezin’ better squeezes (Eberly & O'Connell)
Teasin’ better teases
Positively amorous
Why doesn’t anything ever occur (O'Connell)
Why can’t I make an impression on her (Eberly)
Why doesn’t anything happen to us. (Eberly & O'Connell)

NOTES:

This jazz/big band favorite rose to #23 in the pop charts of the time and Betty
Hutton's version was extremely popular. Hutton was known as the 'Blond Bombshell
of Hollywood'.



(Transcribed by David Story - November 2013)