| Composer | Rube Bloom |
| Lyricist | Harry Rube |
| Year Written | 1947 |
About This Song
“Give Me The Simple Life” was written for the 1946 movie Wake Up and Dream, which starred John Payne and June Haver. Bing Crosby and Benny Goodman and his His Orchestra each recorded it in 1946.
View Lyrics
I don’t believe in frettin’ or grievin’
Why mess around with strife?
I never was cut out to step and strut out
Give me the simple life
Some find it pleasant dining on pheasant
Those things roll off my knife
Just serve me tomatoes and mashed potatoes
Give me the simple life
A cottage small is all I’m after
Not one that’s spacious and wide
A home that’s full of joy and laughter
And the ones you love inside
Some like the high road, I’ll take the low road
Free from the grief and strife
Sounds corny and seedy, but, yes, indeedy
Give me the simple life
Ah, I never was cut out to step and strut out
Give me the simple life
Just serve me tomatoes and mashed potatoes
Give me the simple life
Recordings
1954
Tony Bennett recorded “Give Me The Simple Life” on December 22. 1954. Charles Panely wrote the arrangement.
Release History
| 1955 | Columbia LP 12″: CL 621 — Cloud 7 |
| 1987 | CBS LP 12″: 4504651 — Jazz (UK) |
| 1987 | Columbia LP 12″: C2 40424 — Jazz |
| 2004 | Columbia CD: CK 85806 — Cloud 7 (2004) |
| 2004 | Jazz CD: 5060392000 — Cloud 7 |
| 2007 | Proper CD: PROPERBOX 121 — Young Tony |
| 2008 | Not Now Music CD: NOT3CD010 — Three Original Hit Albums [UK] |
| 2011 | Columbia The Complete Collection — Disc 9 Cloud 7 |