Musicals - Sunset Boulevard - The Lady's Paying Lyrics
NORMAHurry up, the birthday boy is on his wayThis is a surprise celebrationI hope you've remembered everything I've saidI want to see a total transformationJOEWhat's all this?NORMAHappy birthday, darling. Did you think we'd forgotten?JOEWell, I ... I don't know.NORMAThese people are from the best men's shop in town. I had them close it down for the day.JOENorma, now listen!NORMAI'll leave you boys to it.MANFREDHappy birthday, welcome to your shopathon!JOEWhat's going on?MANFREDHelp yourself, it's all been taken care ofAnyone who's anyone is dressed by meJOEWell, golly geeMANFREDPick out anything you'd like a pair ofYou just point, I'll do the restI've brought nothing but the bestYou're a very lucky writerCome along now, get undressedUnless I'm much mistakenThat's a 42-inch chestJOEI don't understand a word you're sayingMANFREDWell, all you need to know's the lady's payingIt's nice to get your just reward this time of yearJOEGet outta here!MANFREDAnd all my merchandise is strictly kosherWhen you've thrown away all your old worn-out stuffJOEHey, that's enoughMANFREDPerhaps you'd like to model for my brochureI have just the thing for youChalk-stripe suitsSALESMAN 1In blackSALESMAN 2Or blueSALESMAN 3Glen plaid trousersSALESMAN 4Cashmere sweatersSALESMAN 5Bathing shorts for MalibuSALESMAN 6Here's a patent leather lace-upSALESMAN 7It's a virtuoso shoeMANFREDAnd a simply marvelous coat made of vicunaJOEYou know what you can do with your vicunaNORMACome on Joe, you haven't even started yetJOEYou wanna bet?NORMAI thought by now he'd look the height of fashionHe always takes forever making up his mindDon't be unkindI thought you writers knew about compassionI love flannel on a manMANFREDThis will complement his tanNORMAWe'll take two of these and four of thoseMANFREDI'm still your greatest fan!Very soon now we'll have stopped himLooking like an also-ranJOEYou're going to make me sorry that I'm stayingNORMAWell, all right, I'll choose, after all, I'm paying!MANFREDEvening clothes?NORMAI want to see your most deluxeJOEWon't wear a tuxNORMAOf course not, dear, tuxedos are for waitersMANFREDWhat we need are tails, a white tie and top hatJOEI can't wear thatNORMAJoe, second-rate clothes are for second-ratersJOENorma, please...NORMAShut up, I'm richNow some platinum blonde *****I own so many apartmentsI've forgotten which is whichJOEI don't have to go to premieresI'm never on displayYou seem to forget that I'm a writerWho cares what you wear when you're a writer?NORMAI care, Joe, and please don't be so mean to me.JOEO.K., all right.NORMAYou can't come to my New Year's Eve party in that filling-station shirt.JOEI've been invited somewhere else on New Year's Eve.NORMAWhere?JOEArtie Green. He's an old friend of mine.NORMAI can't do without you, Joe, I need you.I've sent out every single invitationJOEAll right, Norma, I give inNORMAOf course you doAnd when they've dressed youYou'll cause a sensationSALESMENWe equip the chosen few of MovielandMANFRED(The latest cut)SALESMENWe dress every movie star and croonerFrom their shiny toecaps to their hatbandMANFRED(Conceal your gut)You won't regret selecting the vicunaSALESMENIf you need a hand to shakeIf there's a girl you want to makeIf there's a soul you're out to captureOr a heart you want to breakIf you want the world to love youMANFREDYou'll have to learn to takeSALESMENAnd gracefully accept the role you're playingMANFREDYou will earn every cent the lady's payingSALESMENSo why not have it all?MANFREDNow that didn't hurt, did it?SALESMENThe lady's paying!
