Michael Kermoyan
John Reardon, Adolph Green, & Cris Alexander
Studio Cast of On the Town (1960)
Nancy Walker & Cris Alexander
Betty Comden & Adolph Green
John Reardon
Leonard Bernstein & On the Town Orchestra (1960)
Leonard Bernstein & On the Town Orchestra (1960)
On the Town Ensemble (1960)
Nancy Walker
John Reardon
Leonard Bernstein & On the Town Orchestra (1960)
Studio Cast of On the Town (1960)
Studio Cast of On the Town (1960)
Studio Cast of On the Town (1960)
George Gaynes
Leonard Bernstein & On the Town Orchestra (1960)
Leonard Bernstein & On the Town Orchestra (1960)
Leonard Bernstein & On the Town Orchestra (1960)
Betty Comden, Nancy Walker, Adolph Green, & Cris Alexander
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein & On the Town Orchestra (1960)
In the Broadway musical On the Town, Judge Pitkin W. Bridgework is engaged to Claire, who has repeatedly caught her cheating on him but always interpreted things innocently (and always by singing a repeated four-note motif to the words “I understand”). However, in this song, Pitkin realizes that he’...
[PITKIN]
When I was five, my brother stole my lollipop
My lollipop stole he!
But I didn't mutter, "Damn your hide"
He needed candy more than I'd
So instead of biting off his hand
I just said, "Goo! I understand!"
When I was ten, my mother trounced me with a mop
With a mop trouncèd she me
But I didn't mutter, "Damn your eyes"
I knew she needed exercise
So instead of joining a gypsy band
I just said, "Mom, I understand!"
At thirty a man in a car ruthlessly ran me down
He ruthlessly down ran me
But I didn't mutter, "Damn your spleen"
For a man's a man, but a car's a machine
So instead of stripping him of his land
I just said, "Jack, I understand!"
Now I'm forty-five and I've met Claire, we're engaged to wed
Engaged to wed are we
But tonight I tell you, "Damn you, Claire"
You played me evil and that's not fair!
So instead of remaining calm and bland
I hereby do not understand!
I Understand (Pitkin’s Song) was written by Betty Comden & Adolph Green & Leonard Bernstein.
I Understand (Pitkin’s Song) was produced by Goddard Lieberson.
George Gaynes released I Understand (Pitkin’s Song) on Mon Jan 02 1961.