Lulu's Back in Town

By Harry Warren & Al Dubin
1935

The incomparable Dick Powell and The Mills Brothers introduced this buoyant tune in the musical film Broadway Gondolier. There were also additional lyrics added for a British version by lyricist Charles Dunn. Fats Waller would make a big hit with it not long after the movie.

Lyrics:

Where's that careless chambermaid?
Where'd she put my razor blade?
She mislaid it, I'm afraid,
It's gotta be foun'!
Ask her when she cleaned my room
What she did with my perfume;
I just can't lose it,
I've gotta use it,
'Cause Lulu's back in town.

Gotta get my old tuxedo pressed,
Gotta sew a button on my vest,
'Cause tonight I've gotta look my best,
Lulu's back in town.

Gotta get a half a buck somewhere,
Gotta shine my shoes and slick my hair,
Gotta get myself a boutonniere,
Lulu's back in town.

You can tell all my pets,
All my Harlem coquettes;
Mister Otis regrets
That he won't be aroun'.

You can tell the mailman not to call,
I ain't comin' home until the fall,
And I might not get back home at all,
Lulu's back in town.

Recorded By:

Mel Torme
Thelonious Monk
Oscar Peterson
Leon Redbone
Dave Brubeck