Music: Bebe Daniels / You're Getting to be a Habit with Me

I have previously mentioned the ability of country & western songs to both tell a story and deliver a life message in a 3 minute song. Lyrics are an overlooked source of poetry, humour, literature and general interest.

Therefore, for your reading and listening pleasure, I bring you today the lyrics of You’re Getting To Be A Habit With Me, a song featured in the marvelous 1933 movie 42nd Street. The song was inspired by a remark of one of the women working on the Warner Bros set who, when asked why she was still dating a certain man, replied that he had become a habit with her.

The song is illustrative of the differing attitudes towards drug use between 1933 and the present day and its escalation into a major society problem.

The performance by Bebe Daniels can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0zrk_pPjf8

Take the time too to have a look at the final production number with Ruby Keeler (Mrs Al Jolson) at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YL_sk6B4Jo and her granddaughter Sarah Lowe performing it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D19vLA_7CmE

Lyrics:

Every kiss, every hug seems to
Act just like a drug,
You're getting to be a habit with me.
Let me stay in your arms,
I'm addicted to your charms,
You're getting to be a habit with me.

I used to think your love
Was something
That I could take or leave alone,
But now I just can't do without
My supply, I need you for my own.

No, I can't break away,
I must have you every day
As regularly as coffee or tea,
You've got me in your clutches
And I can't break free,
You're getting to be a habit
With me-can't break it,
You're getting to be a habit with me.