(Gee, But) I'd Like to Make You Happy

"(Gee, But) I'd Like to Make You Happy" is a 1930 song featured in ''Good News. ''Although it was not the only song to be added for a film version of the musical, it is the only song in either film to have been a pop song prior to its inclusion. In the film, the song acts as the theme for Bobby and Babe's relationship.

1930 - Film
After Babe "wins" a game of craps against Bobby and some other male students, Bobby tries to confess his love to her in awkward fashion.

BABE (spoken)
Darling, do you know any more games?

BOBBY (spoken)
Now listen Babe, you said you were going together, didn't you, dear? Well now, to show you how much I love you, I'm gonna take you into town let you pick out a nice, new sweater!

(talking in rhythm) Now listen Babe, don't act that way!

'Cuz there's something I'd like to say...

BABE
Aw, gee, I'm glad!

Come tell me now!

BOBBY
Now don't rush me, dear,

(unconvincingly) 'Cuz I know how!

BABE
Oh, I'm so excited,

Don't know what to do!

BOBBY
(nervously) I'm delighted,

The way it's affected you!

BABE
Oh, tell me quick!

Don't be small!

BOBBY
Alright...

Here I go!

(a series of nervous moans and grunts, then:)

(sung) I wanna say,

I wanna say,

BABE
What!

BOBBY
I wanna say...

BABE
Yes?!

BOBBY
...Isn't it a pretty day?

BABE
Oh, please tell me now!

BOBBY
Gee, I'd like to, but I can't!

BABE
Oh, please don't stop now!

BOBBY
I'd like to do...

What I'd like to do...

What I'd like to do...

I don't think that I could do!

BABE
Oh, don't be afraid!

BOBBY
(hyperventilating to the beat)

...Can't!!!

BABE
(talking in rhythm) Oh, what is this line?

You're wasting my time!

I haven't got all day...

Puff out your chest!

Put out your chin!

Now whaddaya really wanna say...?

BOBBY
I-I'd like to make,

I'd like to make,

I'd like to make-

BABE
What would you like to make?!

BOBBY
I just wanna say

That I'd like to make you happy!

[DANCE BREAK]

(Babe and Bobby finish, but the music continues. They start to dance again. It happens a few more times before they give up and leave the scene.)

REPRISE
A reprise of the song appears later as a stand-in for the original's "In the Meantime." Bobby has just agreed to marry Babe if Tait wins, mostly to cover for being caught unsuccessfully trying to get with another girl.

BOBBY
When I've got a dog,

And you've got a cat,

And we've got a cozy, little,

Sweet, little, rosy, little

BABE
Place for my hat.

BOBBY
Gee, but I'd like to make you happy!

BABE
Now, you wouldn't fool me!

I'll live for you, and you'll live for me.

BOBBY
We'll share, joy, and pain together,

Laugh at the rainy weather

BABE
If you'll agree!

Gee, but I'd like to make you happy...

[DANCE BREAK UNTIL END]

1928 - Ruth Etting
Some records indicate that Ruth Etting recorded the song at this point in time, but no recording appears to be readily available.

1930 - Fred Waring's Pennsylvanians
The song's first known appearance was prior to the film's release in early 1930, as performed by Fred Waring's Pennsylvanians.

[BIG BAND INTRO]

VOCALIST
I've got a dog, (Woof!)

And I've got a cat, (Meow!)

And I've got a cozy, little,

Sweet, little, rosy, little

Place for your hat.

Gee, but I'd like to make you happy.

And I've got a ring.

Just look at it shine!

And I know a finger where

This ring ought to linger.

Won't you say you'll be mine?

Gee, but I'd like to make you happy.

You know I like to do

What you like to do.

Our love would be so strong.

Anything that you say,

You'll get your way.

That's why we'll always get along!

I'll live for you,

And you'll live for me.

We'll share, joy, and pain together,

Laugh at the rainy weather, if you'll agree.

Gee, but I'd like to make you happy.

1930 - Boswell Sisters
In late 1930, the song was recorded by the Boswell Sisters, a female trio. The only difference in lyrics was a sung intro that replaced the Pennsylvanians' big band intro:

FEMALE TRIO
(scatting)

I never really knew what love could do

Until the day I laid my eyes on you.

Although it's something I could never see,

It has been a mystery.

I never thought that you could be so sweet.

It seems that Fate arranged that we should meet.

Do your part, I'll do mine...

We'll have a wonderful time.