If I Only Had a Brain

wizard-of-oz
PROFILE
Composer Harold Arlen
Lyricist Yip Harburg
Year Written
About If I Only Had a Brain
The song is, of course, from the 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz, starring Judy Garland as Dorothy. This song is sung by The Scarecrow, played by Ray Bolger.

Lyrics

I could while away the hours
Conferrin’ with the flowers
Consultin’ with the rain

And my head, I’d be scratchin’
While my thoughts were busy hatchin’
If I only had a brain

I’d unravel every riddle
For any individual
In trouble or in pain

With the thoughts you’ll be thinkin’
You could be another Lincoln
If you only had a brain

Oh, I could tell you why the ocean’s near the shore
I could think of things I never thunk before
And then I’d sit and think some more

I would not be just a nothin’
My head all full of stuffin’
My heart all full of pain

I would dance and be merry
Life would be a ding-a-derry
If I only had a brain

Gosh, it would be awful [Incomprehensible] To reason out the reason
For things I can’t explain

Then perhaps I’ll deserve your
And be even worthy of your
If I only had a brain

Session / Album Information

1998

“If I Only Had a Brain” was recorded on June 3, 1998 and featured the Ralph Sharon Quartet, with Gray Sargent (guitar), Paul Langosch (bass) and Clayton Cameron (drums). The recording is a previously unreleased outtake from The Playground, released in 1998.

If I Only Had A Brain

Listen to If I Only Had A Brain on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2012.

This recording released on:

  • 2011: Disc #2 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK2) Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 2

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