REVIEWING THE SITUATION
From the London Musical "Oliver" (1960)
(Lionel Bart)
Ron Moody (London Production) - 1960
Clive Revill (Broadway Production) - 1962
Stanley Holloway - 1962
James Kenney - 1962
Jacki Bond - 1967
Ron Moody (Film Production) - 1968
Sandie Shaw - 1969
Julian Forsyth - 1991
Jonathan Pryce (London Revival) - 1994
Victor Spinetti - 1994
Anthony Newley - 1994
A man's got a heart, hasn't he?
Joking apart, hasn't he?
And though I'd be the first one to say that I wasn't a saint
I'm finding it hard to be really as black as they paint
I'm reviewing the situation
Can a fellow be a villain all his life?
All the trials and tribulation
Better settle down and get meself a wife
And a wife would cook and sew for me
And come for me, and go for me
And go for me and nag at me
The fingers she will wag at me
The money she will take from me
A misery, she'll make from me
I think I'd better think it out again!
A wife you can keep, anyway
I'd rather sleep, anyway
Left without anyone in the world
And I'm starting from now
So how to win friends and to influence people?
So how?
I'm reviewing the situation
I must quickly look up ev'ryone I know
Titled people, with a station
Who can help me make a real impressive show!
I will own a suite at Claridges
And run a fleet of carriages
And wave at all the duchesses
With friendliness, as much as is
Befitting of my new estate
"Good morning to you, Magistrate!"
I think I'd better think it out again
So where shall I go, somebody?
Who do I know? Nobody!
All my dearest companions
Have always been villains and thieves
So at my time of life I should start
Turning over new leaves?
I'm reviewing the situation
If you want to eat, you've got to earn a bob!
Is it such a humiliation
For a robber to perform an honest job?
So a job I'm getting, possibly
I wonder who the boss'll be?
I wonder if he'll take to me?
What bonuses he'll make to me?
I'll start at eight and finish late
At normal rate, and all, but wait!
I think I'd better think it out again
What happens when I'm seventy?
Must come a time, seventy
When you're old, and it's cold
And who cares if you live or you die?
The one consolation's the money
You may have put by
I'm reviewing the situation
I'm a bad 'un and a bad 'un I shall stay!
You'll be seeing no transformation
But it's wrong to be a rogue in ev'ry way
I don't want nobody hurt for me
Or made to do the dirt for me
This rotten life is not for me
It's getting far too hot for me
Don't want no one to rob for me
But who will find a job for me
There is no in between for me
But who will change the scene for me?
I think I'd better think it out again!