MY VERY GOOD FRIEND THE MILKMAN
(Music: Harold Spina / Lyrics: Johnny Burke)
Fats Waller & His Rhythm - 1935
Dorsey Brothers' Orch. (vocal: Kay Weber & Bob Eberle) - 1935
George Hall & His Orch. (vocal: Dolly Dawn & Sonny Schuyler) - 1935
Anson Weeks & His Orch. - 1935
Jack Jackson & His Orch. - 1935
Joy & Dave - 1960
Johnny Angel - 1960
Cliff Adams Singers - 1976
George Melly - 1979
Maxine Sullivan - 1981
Maxine Daniels - 1988
Terry Blaine - 1999
Eric Clapton - 2010
Paul McCartney - 2012
As originally recorded by FATS WALLER, June 24th 1935
My very good friend the milkman says
That I've been losing to much sleep
He doesn't like the hours I keep
He suggests that you should marry me
Ah, turn it loose!
My very good friend the mailman says
That it would make his burden less
If we both had the same address
And he suggests that you should marry me
Then there's a very friendly fellow who prints
All the latest real estate news
And every day he sends me blueprints
Of cottages with country views
My very good friends and neighbours say
They've been watching little things I do
And they believe that I love you
So I suggest that you should marry me
(Instrumental Break)
Aah Yes!
Here's that boy with the real estate news, baby
How d'ya like them blueprints, huh?
Like them cottages with country views?
Well, let's get one there
My very good friends and neighbours say
They've been watching little things I do
And they believe that I love you
So I suggest that you should marry me
Let the band play "Here Comes The Bride"
Hah-hah, end of song, baby
********************
As recorded by the DORSEY BROTHERS ORCh. with vocals by
KAY WEBER, BOB EBERLE and band members, August 1st 1935:
KAY:
Certain people of my acquaintance
Seem very concerned about you and me
They're trying to be nice
They're going out of their way
They offer me advice
There must be something in what they say
My very good friend the milkman says
That I've been losing too much sleep
He doesn't like the hours I keep
So he suggests that you should marry me
BOB:
My very good friend the mailman says
That it would make his burden less
If we both had the same address
So he suggests that you should marry me
KAY:
Then there's the very friendly fellow who prints
All the latest real estate news
BOB:
And every day he sends me blueprints
Of cottages with country views
KAY:
My very good friends the neighbours say
That they've been watching things I do
And they believe that I love you
BOB:
Well I suggest that you should marry me
(I'm your very good friend the milkman, Kay)
(And each four a.m. when I call)
(I find you kissing in the hall)
(Now, I suggest that you should marry him)
(I'm your very good friend the mailman, Bob)
(And I've walked blisters on my feet)
(Delivering love notes to your street)
(So I suggest that you should marry her)
(And I'm the very friendly fellow who sells)
(The cottages with country views)
(And you'll agree that it will excel)
(Lonely rooms on different avenues)
BOTH:
Our very good friends the neighbours say
That they've been watching things we do
And they believe that I love you
(So we suggest that you two should be wed)
********************
As recorded by JACK JACKSON & HIS ORCH.
with an unidentified female singer, 4th October 1935:
JACK:
Certain people of my acquaintance
Seem very concerned about you and me (Who me?)
They're trying to be nice
They're going out of their way
They offer me advice
There must be something in what they say
My very good friend the milkman says
That I've been losing too much sleep
He doesn't like the hours I keep
And he suggests that you should marry me (That may be right)
My very good friend the postman says
That it would make his burden less
If we both had the same address
And he suggests that you should marry me (Shall we help him?)
Then there's the very friendly fellow who prints
All the latest real estate news (About what?)
Every day he sends me blueprints
Of cottages with country views
My very good friends the neighbours say
That they've been watching things I do
And they believe that I love you
So I suggest that you should marry me, what d'you say? (Sounds good)
GIRL:
Oh, my very good friend the parson says
He's seen us walking out of late
He wants to make a future date
And he suggests that you should marry me (Oh, he did?)
And my very good friend the baker says
"I guarantee that I could bake
A very scrumptious wedding cake" (Yum! Yum!)
He suggests that you should marry me (Not a bad idea)
And there's my friend who runs the travel bureau (What'd he say?)
He told me to come again soon
And next time bring my lucky hero
To plan a perfect honeymoon (Uh-oh!)
Oh, my very good friend the neighbour says
That she has seen stuff at the store (Yes?)
To help me fill my bottom draw (Umm!)
So I'll give in and you shall marry me
(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - March 2017)
