I Wish I Were in Love Again

By Richard Rodgers & Lorenz Hart
1937

Mickey Rooney & Judy Garland would make a hit with it in the 1948 movie Words and Music, but Rodgers & Hart had written the tune for Grace McDonald and Rolly Pickert in the original Broadway production of Babes in Arms--the same show that produced "The Lady Is a Tramp", "Where or When?" and "My Funny Valentine". It's worth noting that the song has come under attack over the years for being misogynistic in its glorified portrayal of a woman who seemingly enjoys being abused by men.

Lyrics:

You don't know that I felt good
When we up and parted.
You don't know I knocked on wood,
Gladly broken-hearted.
Worrying is trought,
I sleep all night,
Appetite and health restored.
You don't know how much I'm bored!

The sleepless nights,
The daily fights,
The qick toboggan when you reach the heights--
I miss the kisses, and I miss the bites.
I wish I were in love again!

The broken dates,
The endless waits,
The lovely loving and the hateful hates,
The conversations with the flying plates--
I wish I were in love again!

No more pain,
No more strain.
Now I'm sane but ...
I would rather be ga-ga!

The pulled-out fur
Of cat and cur,
The fine mismating of a him and her--
I've learned my lesson, but I wish I were
In love again!

The furtive sighs,
The blackened eyes,
The words "I'll love you till the day I die",
The self-deception the believes the lie--
I wish I were in love again!

When love congeals,
It soon reveals
The faint aroma of performing seals,
The double-crossong of a pair of heels--
I wish I were in love again!

No more care,
No despair.
I'm all there now,
But I'd rather be punch-drunk!

Belive me sir,
I much prefer
The classic battle of a him and her.
I don't like quiet and
I wish I were in love again!

Recorded By:

Julie Andrews
Ella Fitzgerald
Joni Mitchell
Frank Sinatra
Judy Garland