Just Imagine (song)

"Just Imagine" is a 1927 song from Good News! In its original incarnation, Connie dreams desperately of being with star football player Tom Marlowe, only for her cousin Pat and friend Millie to warn her against it. In the 1947 film and 1993 Wichita revival, the song was instead given dramatic weight as a ballad of lost love.

CONNIE
I know I've found my ideal man.

I always knew he'd arrive.

PAT
Though he's a true heart-appeal man,

He doesn't know you're alive.

CONNIE
Still, I don't spend my time in grieving.

I've learned the trick of make-believing.

MILLIE
But if you can't have the real man-

CONNIE
I know the one way to thrive...

Just imagine that he loves me dearly.

Just imagine that I'm his sincerely.

I'm pretending

That he's sending

Love notes ending, "I love you."

Seems that he's there as the day is closing.

On his knees there, I hear him proposing!

He's not present,

Still it's pleasant

To just imagine that it's true!

PAT
He is not the man for you-

The type that I would plan for you.

CONNIE
But this is news that you're to choose

My Lochinvar to be!

MILLIE
I know his intentions are

Opposed to what conventions are.

CONNIE
Well, that can be as long as he is not opposed to me!

PAT, MILLIE
Dear, in our belief,

You will come to grief!

PAT
We are being nice to you

In giving this advice to you.

CONNIE
But goodness knows that just supposing

Surely can't offend.

PAT
Sure, my dear, but I am here to warn you as a friend,

PAT, MILLIE
Don't do any more than just pretend!

1947 - Film
This version radically changed the context of this song, placing it after Tom has left Connie for Pat. This would be the template for the 1993 production. The intro is now sung entirely in the first-person. Pat and Millie's parts have been removed.

CONNIE
I thought I'd found my ideal man.

I'd always knew he'd arrive.

Though he's a true heart-appeal man,

He doesn't know I'm alive.

But I don't spend my time in grieving.

I've learned the trick of make-believing.

So if I can't have my real man...

There's only one way to thrive:

Just imagine that he loves me dearly.

Just imagine that I'm his sincerely.

I'm pretending

That he's sending

Love notes ending, "I love you."

Seems that he's there as the day is closing.

On his knees there, I hear him proposing!

He's not present,

Still it's pleasant

To just imagine that it's true!

1948 - The Railroad Hour
The radio broadcast provides a shortened version of the song that includes ensemble vocals near the end. Pat has just reminded Connie that Tom is her fiancee, but Connie can't help herself from thinking about him.

CONNIE
Just imagine that he loves me dearly.

Must imagine that I'm his sincerely.

I'm pretending

That he's sending

Love notes ending, "I love you."

Seems that he's there as the day is closing.

On his knees there, I hear him proposing!

He's not present,

Still it's pleasant

To just imagine that it's true!

ENSEMBLE
Ooo...

Just imagine that he loves you dearly,

Just imagine that you're his sincerely.

CONNIE
He's not present,

Still it's pleasant

To just imagine...

ENSEMBLE
Just imagine...

CONNIE
That it's true...

1974 - Broadway
This version is the only one after 1947 to keep the context of the original, but it is still sung as a solo.

1993 - Wichita
In this version, Tom has just decided to marry Pat for her money, and Connie is left all alone. There are only minor lyrical differences, but the ending is expanded.

CONNIE
I thought I'd found my ideal man.

I'd always knew he'd arrive.

Though he's a true heart-appeal man,

He doesn't know I'm alive.

Still, I don't spend my time in grieving.

I've learned the trick of make-believing...

Just imagine that he loves me dearly.

Just imagine that I'm his sincerely.

I'm pretending

That he's sending

Love notes ending, "I love you."

Seems that he's there as the day is closing.

On his knees there, I hear him proposing!

He's not present,

Still it's pleasant

To just imagine that it's true!

(Connie dances with herself.)

He's not present,

Still it's pleasant

To just imagine that it's true!

(Connie rips up her ticket to the game and throws it to the ground.)