I Don't Wanna Be Married ( I Just Wanna Be Friends )
Irving Berlin · Other Songs - Irving Berlin
[Pickles:]
You're compromising me
But that's exactly as it ought to be
I simply fell for you because I wanted to fall
Don't speak of wedding chimes
Because we mustn't be behind the times
Besides a wedding isn't necessary at all
[1st refrain:]
Don't worry because I fell
You don't have to do right by Nell
'Cause I don't wanna be married, I just wanna be friends
Don't worry 'cause I gave in
Best of families live in sin
'Cause they don't wanna be married, they just wanna be friends
While all the happy married couples sit and fight
We'll be still going strong
And fifty million Frenchmen say it's quite alright
And that many can't be wrong
I never would change my name
Even after the baby came
'Cause I don't wanna be married, I just wanna be friends
[2nd refrain:]
[Joe:]
My father would give me hell
If I didn't do right by Nell
But I don't wanna be married, I just wanna be friends
Please grant me my father's wish
Shotgun weddings are just his dish
I don't wanna be married, I just wanna be friends
The kiddies wouldn't like it, they'd be awfully mad
'Twould be known near and far
To be a little "who's-this" isn't really bad
For some of my best friends are
If not for the family
Make an hon'rable man of me!
But I don't wanna be married, I just wanna be friends
I Don't Wanna Be Married (I Just Wanna Be Friends)
Irving Berlin's 1934 song 'I Don't Wanna Be Married (I Just Wanna Be Friends)' stands as a quintessential example of his mastery in capturing the nuances of romantic longing and social observation. Composed during the height of the Great Depression, the track reflects the era's complex emotional landscape, blending a catchy, upbeat melody with lyrics that explore the tension between desire and the fear of commitment. As a staple of the Great American Songbook, the composition has been recorded by countless artists across various genres, cementing its status as a timeless piece of American musical history. Its enduring popularity underscores Berlin's ability to craft music that resonates deeply with universal human experiences, making it a favorite in both traditional and contemporary jazz and pop settings.