"Oh, You Beautiful Doll" is a

ragtime Ragtime, also spelled rag-time or rag time, is a musical style that flourished from the 1890s to 1910s. Its cardinal trait is its syncopated or "ragged" rhythm. Ragtime was popularized during the early 20th century by composers such as Scott J ...

love song A love song is a song about romantic love, falling in love, heartbreak after a breakup, and the feelings that these experiences bring. A comprehensive list of even the best known performers and composers of love songs would be a large order ...

published in 1911 with words by

Seymour Brown Seymour may refer to: Places Australia * Seymour, Victoria, a township * Electoral district of Seymour, a former electoral district in Victoria * Rural City of Seymour, a former local government area in Victoria * Seymour, Tasmania, a localit ...

and music by

Nat D. Ayer Nathaniel Davis Ayer (August 5, 1887 – September 19, 1952) was an American composer, pianist, singer and actor. He made most of his career composing and performing in England in Edwardian musical comedy and revue. He also contributed songs to Br ...

. The song was one of the first with a twelve-bar opening. The tune has been recorded hundreds of times by many artists from first publication until recent times.

Lyrics

Verse 1

: Honey dear, when you're near, : Just turn out the light and then come over here, : Nestle close, up to my side, : My heart's on fire, with love's desire. : In my arms, rest complete, : I never thought that life could ever be so sweet, : 'til I met you some time ago, : But now I know I love you so.

Chorus

:''Oh! you beautiful doll,'' :''You great big beautiful doll!'' :''Let me put my arms about you,'' :''I could never live without you;'' :''Oh! you beautiful doll,'' :''You great big beautiful doll!'' :''If you ever leave me how my heart will ache,'' :''I want to hug you but I fear you'd break'' :''Oh, oh, oh, oh,'' :''Oh, you beautiful doll!''

Second verse

: Precious prize, close your eyes, : Now we're goin' to visit love's paradise, : Press your lips again to mine, : Love is king of ev'ry thing, : Squeeze me dear, I don't care! : Hug me just as if you were a grizzly bear, : This is how I'll go through life, : No care or strife, when you're my wife.

Notable use in film

As well as being used in the 1949 film of the same name, the tune had been featured in several major movies — ''

The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle ''The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle'' is a 1939 American biographical musical comedy directed by H.C. Potter. The film stars Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Edna May Oliver, and Walter Brennan. The film is based on the stories ''My Husband'' and ...

'' (1939), '' For Me and My Gal'' (1942), ''

Broadway Rhythm ''Broadway Rhythm'' (1944) is a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Technicolor musical film. It was produced by Jack Cummings and directed by Roy Del Ruth. The film was originally announced as ''Broadway Melody of 1944'' to follow MGM's ''Broadway Melody' ...

'' (1944), '' Strangers on a Train'' (1951), '' The Eddie Cantor Story'' (1953) and ''

The Taming of the Shrew ''The Taming of the Shrew'' is a comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1590 and 1592. The play begins with a framing device, often referred to as the induction, in which a mischievous nobleman tricks a drunk ...

'' (1969) as well as some

Looney Tunes ''Looney Tunes'' is an American animated comedy short film series produced by Warner Bros. starting from 1930 to 1969, concurrently with its partner series '' Merrie Melodies'', during the golden age of American animation. ...

cartoons such as '' Hair-Raising Hare''. The Kidsongs Kids and Billy and Ruby Biggle sang this song with a baby elephant named Belle in their 1995 video and DVD, ''Baby Animal Songs''. The song also appears on the animated series ''

Hey Arnold! ''Hey Arnold!'' is an American animated comedy television series created by Craig Bartlett. It originally aired on Nickelodeon from October 7, 1996, to June 8, 2004. The show centers on fourth grader Arnold Shortman, who lives with his grandpar ...

'' where Grandpa Phil sings the song while taking a shower, as well as in the last

Fred Astaire Fred Astaire (born Frederick Austerlitz; May 10, 1899 – June 22, 1987) was an American dancer, choreographer, actor, and singer. He is often called the greatest dancer in Hollywood film history. Astaire's career in stage, film, and tele ...

variety special, in which he and dance partner

Barrie Chase Barrie Chase (born October 20, 1933) is an American actress and dancer. Early life Born in Kings Point, New York, Chase began formal dance lessons at age three, studying with the New York City Opera's ballet mistress. She studied ballet, first ...

danced to it. It appears in '' Somewhere in Time'' (1980), starring

Christopher Reeve Christopher D'Olier Reeve (September 25, 1952 – October 10, 2004) was an American actor, best known for playing the title character in the film '' Superman'' (1978) and three sequels. Born in New York City and raised in Princeton, New Jersey ...

and

Jane Seymour Jane Seymour (c. 150824 October 1537) was Queen of England as the third wife of King Henry VIII of England from their marriage on 30 May 1536 until her death the next year. She became queen following the execution of Henry's second wife, Anne ...

, during a scene where Reeve and Seymour dance briefly.

Other recordings

* 1911 – Billy Murray and The American Quartet recorded the song on September 29, 1911. It was released on Victor 16979. * 1954 – John Serry Sr. and his accordion ensemble for RCA Victor (See " RCA Thesaurus"). * 1966 –

Nancy Sinatra Nancy Sandra Sinatra (born June 8, 1940) is an American singer and actress. She is the elder daughter of Frank Sinatra and Nancy Sinatra ( Barbato), and is best known for her 1966 signature hit " These Boots Are Made for Walkin'. Nancy Sinatr ...

, covered the song for her 1967 album ''

Sugar Sugar is the generic name for sweet-tasting, soluble carbohydrates, many of which are used in food. Simple sugars, also called monosaccharides, include glucose, fructose, and galactose. Compound sugars, also called disaccharides or do ...

''.

References

Bibliography

* Ayer, Nat D.; Brown, Seymour. "Oh, You Beautiful Doll" (sheet music). New York: Jerome H. Remick & Co. (1911).

External links

Recording by Billy Murray and the American Quartet
Rags 1911 songs Songs with music by Nat Ayer {{1910s-song-stub