Lyr Req: Just the Way You Are (Ralph Freed)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just the Way You Are (Ralph Freed)
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Mar 21 - 09:17 PM

i like my eggs over easy and my coffee black
i like my steak rare and juicy or my money back
i like my friends to be on time when they come to call
but i like you any way at all...

friends talk about my idiosyncrasies, peculiarities,
they grin and bear 'em
i want to tell you confidentially
because eventually you'll have to share 'em

:)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just the Way You Are (Ralph Freed)
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Jun 20 - 10:58 PM

https://youtu.be/O7vEqqzpHco

I found the song. I remember my mother singing it. Good memories! ??. Enjoy!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just the Way You Are (Ralph Freed)
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Apr 17 - 10:45 AM

Peggy Lee and Bing Crosby:
https://youtu.be/8Ppk4ptotCs

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just the Way You Are (Ralph Freed)
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Sep 16 - 10:03 PM

I can remember singing this about 1946-47 when I was around 10 years old
as I remember it it went:-
I like my meat and potatoes on a separate plate
My steak nice and juicy or my money back
A million and one things I'm particular
But I like you JUST THE WAY You ARE

    No doubt the song had many verses which I have forgotten

      Alan Waddams

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just the Way You Are (Ralph Freed)
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Sep 15 - 12:45 PM

My father has sung an abreviated version of this song when he cooked breakfast for my entire life. (Because he does like his eggs over easy, his coffee black and steak rare.) He has searched for it to learn the rest of the lyrics and came up blank. Today we found this page and he is delighted to have a longer song to sing, except there are a couple lines he sings that aren't in the lyrics shown here:

I like my laundry to be ready when I call
But I like you any way at all.

We are accusing him of making up his own lyrics and he insists he would never come up with that. Anyone remember this?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just the Way You Are (Ralph Freed)
From: GUEST,Peter Gimpel
Date: 17 Jun 13 - 02:09 PM

B"H

Ralph Freed was a dear, sweet, talented man. The close friendship between his family and mine lasted well over three decades. He, his darling wife, Gracie, and their daughters, Connie and Vickie, are among my earliest and most precious memories. I still find it remarkable that my father, Jakob Gimpel, the great classical pianist, and Ralph Freed,the great pop-song lyricist, should have got so much from each other's company despite the vast differences in their musical backgrounds.

More should be done to preserve Ralph's musical legacy. His songs had a special charm and humor and gave much pleasure to a generation of innocence.

Peter Gimpel, Publisher, redheiferpress.com; Curator, gimpelmusicarchives.com

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just the Way You Are (Ralph Freed)
From: GUEST,GUEST
Date: 04 Oct 12 - 02:11 PM

Ken Darby's The King's Men Quartet sang it (basically the Disney/Freed version mentioned above from 1950, but their own variation/with the modification of a couple of words here and there) on the "Fibber McGee and Molly Show" of 1938-06-07--"McGee the Artist", starting about 19 minutes in.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just the Way You Are (Ralph Freed)
From: GUEST,Hugh Coe
Date: 07 Jun 12 - 10:11 PM

Thank you, Bill Coomber, and happy to hear from you, Vicki Smith. Several years ago I acquired what is likely the only recorded version commercially available, the duet of Judy Garland and Bing Crosby on CD. I feel sure that far superior interpretations were performed in the 1950s, but this great song now seems to have fallen through the cracks of time. Surely there breathes some classy contemporary vocalist who might revive it? Is Harry Connick Jr. the type? Barry Manilow never had the taste, despite "Copacabana." I do think the song is clearly a man singing to a woman.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just the Way You Are (Ralph Freed)
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Apr 12 - 07:12 PM

Is the sheet music available for "I want my eggs over easy" or Just the Way You are? by ralph freed. Someone must have a copy. or an old copy of a 78. I would love to hear it again. Love the song. Great fun.
George J. Marcy

Subject: Lyr Add: JUST THE WAY YOU ARE (Ralph Freed)
From: GUEST,Bill Coomber
Date: 15 Aug 10 - 03:39 PM

Okay...here it is. Straight from the sheet music (copyright by Walt Disney Music Company 1950)

JUST THE WAY YOU ARE
Words and Music by Ralph Freed, 1950

Intro: I've been longing for the moment I could gaze upon your charms
On a night the moon and stars were all aglow.
Now that I have found the moment and have you in my arms,
There are some things dear, about me you should know

1. I like my eggs over easy and my coffee black.
I like my steaks rare and juicy or my money back.
I like my tea poured directly from a samovar, (and I swear I've heard "from a Mason Jar")
But I like you just the way you are.

2. I like my juice when I waken or I'm so upset.
I'm quite a fuss-budget for my favorite cigarette,
And I go mad when a picture's crooked on the wall,
But I like you any way at all.

BRIDGE:
Friends know about my idiosyncrasies, peculiarities.
They grin and bear 'em.
I'm telling you all this confidentially because eventually
You'll have to share 'em.

3. I like the seams in a stockin' to be smooth and straight.
I like my meat and potatoes on a separate plate.
About a million and one things I'm particular,
But I like you just the way you are.

4. I like my sheets and my covers to be tucked in tight.
I like your kid brother when you keep him out of sight.
I like my champagne especially with caviar,
But I like you just the way you are.

5. I like to peek at the ending when I start a book,
I like a boy not afraid to eat the things I cook,
I like a girl who is punctual when I come to call,
But I like you any way at all.

BRIDGE:
Friends know about my idiosyncrasies, peculiarities.
They grin and bear 'em.
I'm telling you all this confidentially because eventually
You'll have to share 'em.

6. I'd like your name and address to coincide with mine,
And I am quick to confess that I would like it fine,
About a million and one things I'm particular,
But I like you just the way you are.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just the Way You Are (Ralph Freed)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 09 Jul 10 - 08:37 PM

The lyrics to JUST THE WAY YOU ARE by Ralph Freed, which I posted above, are incomplete, but I just discovered that a guest called Cookie posted the complete lyrics in a separate thread way back in August, 2003: Lyr Add: Just The Way You Are (from Gordon MacRae).

---

Threads combined. -Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just the Way You Are (Ralph Freed)
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Jul 10 - 01:10 PM

John Beard: [e-mail]

I come late to this discussion, but I remember the line from the Bing Crosby recording as "I like my SYRUP poured directly from a Mason jar. Where I come from, that was how it was done.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just the Way You Are (Ralph Freed)
From: GUEST,Susan
Date: 18 Nov 09 - 11:12 AM

Have been trying for a while to find the composer of "Just the Way You Are". I have a CD from a "live" radio broadcast of the Bing Crosby show. Bing sings this song with Peggy Lee.

Anyhoo, thanks for giving me the composer (Ralph Freed). It is nice to find someone who knew the original song with this title, before Billy Joel!!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just the Way You Are (Ralph Freed)
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Oct 09 - 04:06 AM

does anyone know where this is on cd? my grampa used to sing me this song when i was little and I am having a boy due any day named after my grampa and i really want to hear it! thank you my e-mail is [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just the Way You Are (Ralph Freed)
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 26 Sep 09 - 11:26 AM

How nice to hear from you, Vicki. It gives the song that personal touch.

I think your father's song is so much nicer than that Billy Joel song. I think the line 'Just want someone I can talk TO' about sums up that singer's selfishness.

Are you any relation to Arthur Freed? I was just watching a video about the many musicals Arthur Freed produced.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just the Way You Are (Ralph Freed)
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Sep 09 - 05:42 AM

I like my champagne especially with caviar
But I like you, just the way you are. :o) (My dad wrote the lyrics. :o) Thanks for posting!!
Vicki Freed Smith

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just the Way You Are (Ralph Freed)
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Sep 09 - 05:37 AM

Hi, Hugh! I got a kick out of reading your dad sang my dad's song a lot! :o) Boy, music's changed from when he was writing- me lost him in 1973. Again, sure appreciated reading this! I wonder if dad ever saw a samovar LOL

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just the Way You Are (Ralph Freed)
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Sep 09 - 05:33 AM

Cookie- if you are reading this, look below- someone put in the correc t lyrics- and as I posted, my dad wrote the song. :o) It's called both "just the Way You Are or I Like My Eggs Over Easy. :o) I don't recall any female singer doing it, though. It is heartwarming to see appreciation of my dad's songs- I wish he were still here, but he thought he was getting away with cheating on a heart-healthy diet and we lost him at age 65; hard to believe I'm 6 years older!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just the Way You Are (Ralph Freed)
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Sep 09 - 05:25 AM

Hi-
Ralph Freed was my dad- Someone above did a great job in posting the lyrics (I Like My Eggs Over Easy)-- not the Billy Joel song. :o)
Well, the song was written way before anyone "discovered" OCD LOL

When dad was having financial difficulties, Frank Sinatra heard about it and included the song in his album Songs For Swingin' Lovers.
Dang! I'm 70 now, 35 inside- then I look in the mirror and it says "So you think you're 35, huh? Well, forget it!" lol

Found this site when I googled the lyrics for the Susan-boyle fan site. :o)

I am so delighted people still like this song! :o)
Vicki F Smith

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just the Way You Are (Ralph Freed)
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Aug 09 - 08:27 PM

it is by bing crosby and judy garland the only audio file i can find on it is on raphsody

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just the Way You Are (Ralph Freed)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 26 Sep 08 - 06:11 PM

I found a YouTube video titled Ella Singing "Just the Way You Are", and I was sure it was going to be Ella Fitzgerald singing the Real Thing, but it was just another version of the Billy Joel Song - and it sure wasn't Ella Fitzgerald.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just the Way You Are (Ralph Freed)
From: GUEST,Hugh Coe
Date: 26 Sep 08 - 05:30 PM

Thank you, Jim Dixon!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I like you just the way you are????
From: Peace
Date: 24 Sep 08 - 01:49 AM

Found this, too.

Bing Crosby & Judy Garland - Just The Way You Are

Composer: Arthur Freed

Performed by Judy Garland and Bing Crosby on The Bing Crosby Show, aired February 7, 1951

Subject: Lyr Add: JUST THE WAY YOU ARE
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 24 Sep 08 - 12:52 AM

JUST THE WAY YOU ARE (incomplete lyrics)
Ralph Freed, 1950

1. I like my eggs over easy and my coffee black.
I like my steaks rare and juicy or my money back.
I like my tea poured directly from a samovar,
But I like you just the way you are.

2. I like my juice when I waken or I'm so upset.
I'm quite a fuss-budget for my favorite cigarette,
And I go mad when a picture's crooked on the wall,
But I like you any way at all.

BRIDGE: Friends know about my idiosyncrasies, peculiarities.
They grin and bear 'em.
I'm telling you all this confidentially because eventually
You'll have to share 'em.

3. I like the seams in my stockings to be smooth and straight.
I like my meat and potatoes on a separate plate.
About a million and one things I'm particular,
But I like you just the way you are.

4. I like my sheets and my covers to be tucked in tight.
I like your kid brother when you keep him out of sight.
I like my champagne especially with....


[Sung as a duet by Bing Crosby & Judy Garland on "When You're Smiling," Parrot CD 003, 1995; on "Bing Crosby with Ella Fitzgerald & Peggy Lee," Avid CD 624, 2000; "Bing Crosby and Friends, Vol. 1," Magic CD 3, 2001; "Bing Crosby with Judy Garland & Al Jolson," Avid CD 625, 1999.]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I like you just the way you are????
From: GUEST,HughCoe
Date: 22 Sep 08 - 08:45 PM

Also looking for the original. My father sang it often.
Nothing about a mason jar in his version.
Instead, "I like my tea poured directly from a samovar."
Much classier, and besides, one doesn't pour jam.
I suspect the lyrics were changed because most people never knew,
and the rest don't remember, what a samovar is.

Subject: Lyr Add: JUST THE WAY YOU ARE (from Gordon MacRae)
From: GUEST,Cookie
Date: 08 Aug 03 - 02:48 PM

I had request these lyrics a while ago and with the help of my dear friend Gene we have transcribed them and wanted to share them with Mudcatters.

JUST THE WAY YOU ARE
(Performed by Gordon MacRae & Ewing Sisters)

1. I like my eggs over easy and my coffee black.
I like my steaks rare and juicy or my money back.
I like my jam poured directly from a mason jar,
But I like you just the way you are.

2. I like my juice when I waken or I'm so upset.
I'm quite a fuss-budget for my favorite cigarette,
And like a man when a picture's crooked on the wall,
But I like you any way at all.

BRIDGE: Friends know about my idiosyncrasies
Peculiarities - they grin and bare 'em.
I'm tellin' you all this confidentially
Because eventually you'll have to share 'em.

3. I love the seams in a stockin' to be smooth and straight.
I like my meat and potatoes on a separate plate.
About a million and one things I'm particular,
But I like you just the way you are.

4. I like my sheets and my covers to be tucked in tight.
I like ya kid brother, when you keep 'im out of sight.
I like my champagne especially with caviar,
But I like you just the way you are.

5. I like to peek at the ending when I start a book.
I like a boy not afraid to eat the things I cook.
I like a gal who is ready when I come to call,
But I like you any way at all.

BRIDGE: Friends know about my idiosyncrasies.
Peculiarities-they grin and bare 'em.
I'm tellin' you all this confidentially,
Because eventually you'll have to share 'em.

6. I like your name and address to coincide with mine,
And I am quick to confess that I would like it fine.
About a million and one things I'm particular,
But I like you just the way you are,
Just the way you are.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I like you just the way you are????
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 12:52 PM

Louie Roy: "I Wouldn't Change You If I Could" has been recorded by Ricky Skaggs, Jim Eanes and the Shenandoah Valley Boys, and (Don) Reno & (Red) Smiley & The Tennessee Cut-ups. Sometimes authorship is credited to "Jones/Smith" and sometimes to Eanes. The title and lyrics are as you posted them.

Subject: Lyr Add: I WOULDN'T CHANGE YOU IF I COULD
From: Louie Roy
Date: 10 Sep 02 - 11:49 AM

I know this is not the song you're looking for, but I've been doing this tune for at least 25 years and I don't know the artist.

I WOULDN'T CHANGE YOU IF I COULD

I wouldn't change a single thing about you if I could.
The way you are just suits me to a 'T'.
A princess from a story book, a king upon a throne,
That's the way we are, and you belong to me.

CHORUS: I wouldn't change you if I could. I like you as you are.
You're all that I could hope for if I wished upon a star.
An Angel sent from heaven, you're everything that's good.
You're perfect just the way you are. I wouldn't change you if I could.

Your amber lips, your tender smile, I'd leave them as they are.
And come what may, I'd never change a thing.
But if I were a potter and you a piece of clay,
The only thing I'd change would be your name. CHORUS

Subject: Lyr Add: JUST THE WAY YOU ARE (Billy Joel)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 10 Sep 02 - 10:26 AM

I couldn't find any song called "I Like You Just the Way You Are," but AMG/All Music Guide lists 195 recordings of songs called "Just the Way You Are." The one most often covered is the one by Billy Joel. I don't think it's the one you want, but I'll copy it here just so we can eliminate it:

Lyrics copied from http://users.cis.net/sammy/justway.htm
(There is a very elaborate midi file that plays at that site.)

JUST THE WAY YOU ARE
(Billy Joel)

Don't go changing to try and please me,
You never let me down before.
And don't imagine you're too familiar,
And I don't see you anymore.

I wouldn't leave you in times of trouble,
We never could have come this far.
I took the good times, I'll take the bad times,
I'll take you just the way you are.

Don't go trying some new fashion.
Don't change the color of your hair.
You always have my unspoken passion,
Although I might not seem to care.

I don't want clever conversation,
I never want to work that hard.
I just want someone that I can talk to,
I want you just the way you are.

I need to know that you will always be,
The same old someone that I knew.
What will it take till you believe in me,
The way that I believe in you?

I said I love you and that's forever,
And this I promise from the heart.
I could not love you any better,
I love you just the way you are.

I don't want clever conversation,
I never want to work that hard.
I just want someone that I can talk to,
I want you just the way you are.

I said I love you and that's forever,
And this I promise from the heart.
I could not love you any better,
I love you just the way you are.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I like you just the way you are????
From: open mike
Date: 08 Sep 02 - 12:33 PM

sounds like Mr. Rogers to me.... it's a wonderful dayin the neighborhood...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I like you just the way you are????
From: Louie Roy
Date: 08 Sep 02 - 11:59 AM

There was another thread within the past year requesting the same info on this song but I can't locate it in the forum.Maybe someone else can bring it up Louie Roy

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I like you just the way you are????
From: GUEST,MCP
Date: 08 Sep 02 - 04:11 AM

I think Sinatra only did the Billy Joel song!

There are 6 entries for "Just The Way You Are" listed in the ASCAP data base, the most likely of which I would have thought were those by Earl Caroll & Harry Revel and Ralph Freed. Haven't found any words online for either yet.

(I did look through the discography at what looks to be a fairly comprehensive site for Gordon Macrae, but failed to find the song mentioned there at all)

Mick

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I like you just the way you are????
From: GUEST,Alice
Date: 07 Sep 02 - 12:01 PM

Go to www.cdnow.com and set the search to Song Title. Type in Just the Way You Are, click go, and you will get a long list of recordings with that song title. The singers include Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra, but I didn't see Gordon MacRae's name.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I like you just the way you are????
From: Sorcha
Date: 07 Sep 02 - 10:40 AM

Something to do...........

Subject: I like you just the way you are????
From: GUEST,Cookie
Date: 29 Aug 02 - 11:02 AM

Can anyone help me with this song? I would like to know the correct title and artist if possible. Also, if you know what female artist did it. Here is what I received on it:

I think it's called I Like You Just The Way You Are or maybe Just The Way You Are. I remember this being sung by Gordon MacRae. I have been searching for this for about 40 years without any success. Maybe somebody out there has a version but I can't find one.

I like my eggs over easy and my coffee black
I like my steak rare and juicy or my money back
I like my jam poured directly from a Mason jar
But I like you just the way you are

I like to peek at the ending when I start a book
I like a girl not afraid to eat the things I cook
About a million and one things I'm particular
But I like you just the way you are

That's from memory so the verses may be jumbled up somewhat but all those words are in there somewhere.

Thanks
Cookie

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 10-Sep-02.