If I Were A Tishman
Allan Sherman · Other Songs - Allan Sherman
Wherever you look,
Big tall buildings by Tishman
Tishman, ahh...
If I were a Tishman,
Yum di diddle didle doody didle diddy didy di
(Yum di didle)
All day long I'd buildy buildy build,
If I were a building man.
I'd build a lot of buildings,
Yum di didle doody deedle didle deedle didle dumb
(Yum di didle)
Building buildings anywhere I wish,
If I were a Tishy Tishy Tish.
I'd build the 666 5th Avenue building
Right in the middle of the town,
One block wide and forty-eight stories high.
And I'd have eighteen elevators going up
And twenty-seven more going down,
All of them express to pass you by.
(Di diddle di)
I'd build a ladies room and also a mens room,
Right there on each and every floor,
Each one in a style that is apropos.
And like the restrooms in the best office buildings,
You'd need a key to open up the door,
Though who would steal a bathroom, I dunno!
Oh, if I were a Tishman,
Yum di diddle doidle didle dadle doodle deedle dumb
(Yum di didle)
All day long I'd buildy buildy build,
If I were a building man.
I'd build a lot of buildings,
Yum di doodle dadle didle deedle didle dodle dumb
(Yum di didle)
I could realize my life's ambish,
Raising rents whenever I would wish,
Telling tenants, "You can call me pish."
If I were a rich Tishman
If I Were A Tishman
Allan Sherman's 'If I Were A Tishman' stands as a quintessential example of his unique brand of comedic pop, blending theatrical storytelling with a distinct New York vernacular. Released during the height of his career, the track exemplifies Sherman's signature style of using absurd premises and rapid-fire dialogue to create memorable musical narratives. The song reflects the broader landscape of 1960s and 1970s novelty music, where Sherman often subverted expectations by pairing mundane subjects with elaborate musical arrangements. His ability to craft characters and scenarios that felt both intimate and farcical made him a pivotal figure in the genre, influencing a generation of artists who sought to merge humor with melodic structure. This recording remains a testament to his skill in turning everyday observations into enduring musical pieces.

