"You've Got to Pick a Pocket or Two" is a song from the

Tony Award The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes excellence in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ce ...

-winning British musical '' Oliver!'', and the 1968

Academy Award The Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit in film. They are presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) in the United States in recognition of excellence ...

-winning film '' Oliver!'' based on the 1838 novel '' Oliver Twist'' by

Charles Dickens Charles John Huffam Dickens (; 7 February 1812 – 9 June 1870) was an English novelist, journalist, short story writer and Social criticism, social critic. He created some of literature's best-known fictional characters, and is regarded by ...

. The musical was penned by

Lionel Bart Lionel Bart (1 August 1930 – 3 April 1999) was an English writer and composer of pop music and musicals. He wrote Tommy Steele's "Rock with the Caveman" and was the sole creator of the musical ''Oliver!'' (1960). With ''Oliver!'' and his work ...

, and was first shown in London's West End in 1960.

Background

The song is sung in Fagin's lair in a scene based on the section of Dickens's book where Fagin (played by Ron Moody in the film) teaches Oliver Twist and the rest of the boys how to pick the pockets of gentlemen so as to be able to steal their handkerchiefs, etc., without being detected. It is the first song in Act I Scene VI. Fagin and the boys loosely dangle various "hankies" from their pockets while dancing around the room and doing

gymnastics Gymnastics is a group of sport that includes physical exercises requiring Balance (ability), balance, Strength training, strength, Flexibility (anatomy), flexibility, agility, Motor coordination, coordination, artistry and endurance. The movem ...

to show Oliver how easy it is to steal one without it being noticed. Although less pronounced than "Reviewing the Situation", this song has a Jewish melody. This song is sampled in the 2004 song "Large Amounts" by Ludacris, from the album " The Red Light District". The time signature of this song is 4/4, and it is in the key of F minor.

References

Songs about crime 1960 songs Songs written by Lionel Bart Songs from Oliver! {{show-tune-stub