You Took Advantage of Me

Bix Beiderbecke

About You Took Advantage of Me

"You Took Advantage of Me" is a 1928 popular song composed by Richard Rodgers, with lyrics by Lorenz Hart, for the musical Present Arms (1928), where it was introduced by Joyce Barbour and Busby Berkeley as the characters Edna Stevens and Douglas Atwell. The characters were formerly married, but still have romantic feelings for each other. On opening night, Berkeley forgot the lyrics and had to scat and hum the entire second verse. Berkeley also claimed that his nonsense lyrics for the improvised second verse left Hart "almost apoplectic", but the audience was amused and Hart later forgave him. The song was subsequently included in the 1930 film Leathernecking, an adaptation of Present Arms. Rodgers described the song as a "sassy and unregretful number" which audiences liked far more than traditional contemporary love songs. In his book The Poets of Tin Pan Alley, Philip Furia wrote that the song depicted a "...wittily self deprecating character who was perfectly suited to lyrics that were at once intricately rhymed yet casually conversational."One of the earliest recordings of the song was Paul Whiteman's 1928 hit version, known especially for the performances of Bix Beiderbecke and Frankie Trumbauer. The song was a particular favorite of the Prince of Wales (the future Edward VIII). In fact, he once asked singer Morton Downey to perform the song eleven times during a show at the Café de Paris in London. The song can be sung by either gender, but has traditionally been sung by women. 


Year:
2003
2:56
79 

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

In the spring when the feeling was chronic
And my caution was leaving you flat,
I should have made use of the tonic
Before you gave me that!
A mental deficient you'll grade me.
I've given you plenty of data.
You came, you saw and you slayed me,
And that-a is that-a!

I'm a sentimental sap, that's all.
What's the use of trying not to fall?
I have no will,
You've made your kill
'Cause you took advantage of me!
I'm just like an apple on a bough
And you're gonna shake me down somehow.
So what's the use,
You've cooked my goose
'Cause you took advantage of me!

I'm so hot and bothered that I don't know
My elbow from my ear.
I suffer something awful each time you go
And much worse when you're near.

Here am I with all my bridges burned,
Just a babe in arms where you're concerned,
So lock the doors
And call me yours
'Cause you took advantage of me.

When a girl has the heart of a mother
It must go to someone, of course;
It can't be a sister or brother
And so I loved my horse.
But horses are frequently silly-
Mine ran from the beach of Kailua
And left me alone for a filly,
So I-a picked you-a.

I'm a sentimental sap, that's all.
What's the use of trying not to fall?
I have no will,
You've made your kill
'Cause you took advantage of me!
I'm just like an apple on a bough
And you're gonna shake me down somehow.
So what's the use,
You've cooked my goose
'Cause you took advantage of me!

I'm so hot and bothered that I don't know
My elbow from my ear.
I suffer something awful each time you go
And much worse when you're near.

Here am I with all my bridges burned,
Just a babe in arms where you're concerned,
So lock the doors
And call me yours
'Cause you took advantage of me.

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Bix Beiderbecke

Leon Bismark "Bix" Beiderbecke (March 10, 1903 – August 6, 1931) was an American jazz cornetist, jazz pianist, and composer. more »

0 fans

Written by: Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Music Composition and Lyrics
"You Took Advantage of Me" is a classic song written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. The song includes intricate wordplay and melody in signature Rodgers and Hart style.
Bix Beiderbecke Contribution
Bix Beiderbecke, a famous cornet player, recorded this song in 1928. His rendition is popular for his heartfelt performance and perfection in execution of cornet melodies.
Paul Whiteman's Role
Paul Whiteman, known as the "King of Jazz," directed the orchestra for this recording. His orchestra played a vital role in popularizing the song and bringing it to a broader audience.
Frankie Trumbauer's Participation
Frankie Trumbauer, who was a prominent saxophonist and a close associate of Bix Beiderbecke, also contributed to making this song popular. His saxophone melody adds a unique depth to the song.
About the Recording
The recording of "You Took Advantage of Me" took place in New York City on May 11, 1928. This performance is often noted as a historically significant jazz recording.
Relevance in Music History
This song is considered a crucial part of traditional jazz repertoire and remains a favorite amongst jazz musicians today. It continues to be performed and recorded by various artists, proving its timeless appeal.
Inclusion in a Broadway Musical
"You Took Advantage of Me" was initially included in the 1928 musical "Present Arms."
Jazz Influence
The song is frequently mentioned as a noteworthy example of the jazz age, showcasing the style and improvisational abilities of the era's musicians.
Popularity
"You Took Advantage of Me" was a great hit for Bix Beiderbecke. It remains one of his most popular songs and a definitive record of his playing style.
Legacy
Decades after its initial release, "You Took Advantage of Me" is still appreciated as a cornerstone of early jazz. Many modern musicians have paid tribute to the song in their performances.

Discuss the You Took Advantage of Me Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "You Took Advantage of Me Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/6762056/Bix+Beiderbecke/You+Took+Advantage+of+Me>.

    Missing lyrics by Bix Beiderbecke?

    Know any other songs by Bix Beiderbecke? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    You Took Advantage of Me

    3,053
    27     0

    more tracks from the album

    Louisiana

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    "__ _____ __ ____ __ ____ __ ____ Trying to find a part of me that you didn't touch"
    A my heart, my hips, my body, my love
    B my hips, my heart our songs
    C our songs, our films united
    D my body and heart

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Bix Beiderbecke tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!

    Movies soundtrack

    You Took Advantage of Me

    »