“It Might As Well Be Spring” is a classic song from the musical film “State Fair”. The song was written by Oscar Hammerstein II and Richard Rodgers and was first performed by Jeanne Crain in the movie. Since then, the song has been covered by many famous artists, including Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Nat King Cole. In this article, we will delve into the lyrics of this timeless classic and explore the meaning behind them.
The First Verse
The first verse of the song goes as follows:
“I’m as restless as a willow in a windstorm,
I’m as jumpy as a puppet on a string,
I’d say that I had Spring fever,
But I know it isn’t Spring.”
The lyrics describe the restlessness and excitement that the singer is feeling, likening themselves to a willow in a windstorm and a puppet on a string. They mention having Spring fever, but also acknowledge that it isn’t actually Spring. This could be interpreted as the singer feeling a sense of anticipation for something that is yet to come.
The Chorus
The chorus of the song is where the title comes from:
“It might as well be Spring,
I can hear a robin sing,
I can feel the sun,
Whenever you’re near,
Every breeze seems to whisper, ‘I love you.’
Birds singin’ in the sycamore tree,
Dream a little dream of me.”
The lyrics of the chorus express the joy and happiness that the singer feels whenever they are around the person they love. They compare the feeling to Spring, where everything is new and fresh. The mention of the robin singing and the sun shining are both symbols of Spring, further emphasizing the idea of new beginnings. The last line of the chorus, “Dream a little dream of me”, adds an element of romance to the song.
The Second Verse
The second verse of the song is as follows:
“I’m not a great philosopher,
And I don’t know much about Spring,
But I’m never in a real bother,
When I’m holding your hand.”
The lyrics of the second verse express the simplicity of the singer’s love. They admit that they are not a great philosopher and do not know much about Spring, but they do know that they are happy when they are holding the hand of the person they love. This verse adds to the overall message of the song that love is simple and brings happiness.
The Bridge
The bridge of the song is a short interlude before the final chorus:
“I’m as busy as a spider spinning daydreams,
I’m as giddy as a baby on a swing,
I haven’t seen a crocus or a rosebud,
Or a robin on the wing.”
The lyrics of the bridge continue to describe the restlessness and excitement that the singer is feeling. They liken themselves to a spider spinning daydreams and a baby on a swing, further emphasizing the idea of anticipation for something new.
The Final Chorus
The final chorus of the song is a repetition of the first chorus with slight variations:
“It might as well be Spring,
I can hear a bluebird sing,
I can feel the sun,
Whenever you’re near,
Every time we say ‘Goodbye’,
I die a little,
Every time we say ‘Goodbye’,
I wonder why a little,
Why the Gods above me,
Who must be in the know.
Think so little of me,
They allow you to go.”
The lyrics of the final chorus add a new layer of emotion to the song. The mention of the bluebird singing instead of the robin, and the addition of the lines “Every time we say ‘Goodbye'” express a sense of sadness and longing. The final lines of the chorus express the singer’s confusion as to why they must say goodbye to the person they love.
In Conclusion
“It Might As Well Be Spring” is a timeless classic that has been covered by many famous artists over the years. The lyrics of the song express the restlessness, excitement, and happiness that comes with love. The comparisons to Spring add an element of new beginnings and fresh starts to the song, while the mention of saying goodbye adds a layer of sadness and longing. Overall, the song is a beautiful expression of love and emotion that continues to resonate with people today.
