Don't Talk, Just Sing Songtext
von Nancy Wilson

If you′re noticing my lack of conversation
If you've wondered why I haven′t said hello
It's not due to any lack of concentration
And I know what phrases would be apropos
But the management, when they booked me
They looked me up and down and up and down and said
"There's a little clause in your contract
Which we trust that you and all your agents read
It′s a simple little clause without an if or and or but
Which states that the party of the first part
If and when she′s not actually engaged in the art of singing
Is to strictly keep her big mouth shut"
I am disturbed, quite naturally so, I feel
I still think it would be very nice if I were allowed to
They said, "There will be no complaining
Your act will be entertaining
And all the applause will make the rafters ring
You're no Bob Hope, dear
Don′t be a dope, dear
Don't talk, just sing"


"We have interviewed all the locals
They want you to stick to vocals
There′s only one singing talker and that's Bing
He′s still the loner
Since you're no groaner
Don't talk, just sing"
Now, actors wanna dance
And dancers wanna sing
And singers wanna yak, yak, yak
Just be cordial and be gracious
Be anything but loquacious
And perhaps we′ll book you back
With the humor you mustn′t wrestle
Leave all the jokes to Jessel
You know why he talks if you have heard him sing
You'll earn your loot, dear
Remaining mute, dear
Now don′t talk, just swing
But I've got things to say
I love the Albee play
And Bernstein thrills me at the Met
And there are rumors I must smother
Earl Wilson is not my brother
Though we′ve had a tete-a-tete
A tete-a-tete, a tete-a-tete, a te-te
Yes, what is the problem?
I apologize, may we continue?
You will play?
"Talk, talk, talk," they insist, is folly
I'm safer with "Hello, Dolly"
If they wanted elocution, they would bring
A Shelley Berman about that close
Or maybe Alan Sherman
A Milton Berle or Alan King
Don′t talk, just sing
Yak, yak, yak
Thank you, thank you so much
Thank you, thank you
After a great deal of gentle persuasion on my part
I am now allowed approximately fifteen seconds
During which time I can say that I'd
Like very much to do this next song
For all my gentleman friends in the audience
I really want to let you know that I am on your side
I'm very much in your corner and I hope for your sake
That you′re one of the more fortunate gentlemen
And you have one of those nice-type ladies at home
Sweet, kind, considerate, very understanding
Actually, I′m talking about the naive, stupid type
But that's the only kind I can think of that would say