Reasons to Be Cheerful, Pt. 3 Lyrics
[Intro]
Why don't you get back into bed?
Why don't you get back into bed?
Why don't you get back into bed?
Why don't you get back into bed?
Why don't you get back into bed?
Why don't you get back into bed?
Why don't you get back into bed?
Why don't you get back into bed?
Why don't you get back into bed?
Why don't you get back into bed?
[Chorus]
Reasons to Be Cheerful, part 3
1, 2, 3
[Verse 1]
Summer, Buddy Holly, the working folly
Good golly, Miss Molly and boats
Hammersmith Palais, the Bolshoi Ballet
Jump back in the alley and nanny goats
18 wheeler Scammells, dominica camels
All other mammals, plus equal votes
Seeing Piccadilly, Fanny Smith and Willie
Being rather silly and porridge oats
A bit of grin and bear it (Reasons to Be Cheerful), a bit of come and share it (Part 3)
You're welcome we can spare it, yellow socks
Too short to be haughty (Reasons to Be Cheerful), too nutty to be naughty (Part 3)
Going on forty, no electric shocks
The juice of a carrot (Reasons to Be Cheerful), the smile of a parrot (Part 3)
A little drop of claret, anything that rocks
Elvis and Scotty (Reasons to Be Cheerful), the days when I ain't spotty (One, two, three)
Sitting on a potty, curing smallpox (Why don't you get back into bed?)
Why don't you get back into bed?
Why don't you get back into bed?
Why don't you get back into bed?
Why don't you get back into bed?
Why don't you get back into bed?
Why don't you get back into bed?
Why don't you get back into bed?
Why don't you get back into bed?
Why don't you get back into bed?
Why don't you get back into bed?
[Chorus]
Reasons to Be Cheerful, part 3
1, 2, 3
[Verse 1]
Summer, Buddy Holly, the working folly
Good golly, Miss Molly and boats
Hammersmith Palais, the Bolshoi Ballet
Jump back in the alley and nanny goats
18 wheeler Scammells, dominica camels
All other mammals, plus equal votes
Seeing Piccadilly, Fanny Smith and Willie
Being rather silly and porridge oats
A bit of grin and bear it (Reasons to Be Cheerful), a bit of come and share it (Part 3)
You're welcome we can spare it, yellow socks
Too short to be haughty (Reasons to Be Cheerful), too nutty to be naughty (Part 3)
Going on forty, no electric shocks
The juice of a carrot (Reasons to Be Cheerful), the smile of a parrot (Part 3)
A little drop of claret, anything that rocks
Elvis and Scotty (Reasons to Be Cheerful), the days when I ain't spotty (One, two, three)
Sitting on a potty, curing smallpox (Why don't you get back into bed?)
[Chorus]
Reasons to Be Cheerful, part 3 (Why don't you get back into bed? Why don't you get back into bed?)
Reasons to Be Cheerful, part 3 (Why don't you get back into bed? Why don't you get back into bed?)
Reasons to Be Cheerful, part 3 (Why don't you get back into bed? Why don't you get back into bed?)
Reasons to Be Cheerful, one, two, three
[Verse 2]
Reasons to Be Cheerful, part 3, verse two
Health service glasses, gigolos and brasses
Round or skinny bottoms
Take your mum to Paris, lighting up a chalice
Wee Willie Harris
Bantu Steven Biko, listening to Rico
Harpo Groucho Chico
Cheddar cheese and pickle, a Vincent motorcycle
Slap and tickle
Woody Allen (Reasons to Be Cheerful), Dali, Dmitri and Pascale (Part 3)
Balla, balla, balla and Volare
Something nice to study (Reasons to Be Cheerful), phoning up a buddy (Part 3)
Being in my nuddy
Saying okey-dokey (Reasons to Be Cheerful), sing-a-long a Smokie (Part 3)
Coming out of chokie
John Coltrane's soprano (Reasons to Be Cheerful), Adie Celentano
Beuno Colino (One, two, three)
[Chorus]
Reasons to Be Cheerful, part 3 (Why don't you get back into bed? Why don't you get back into bed?)
Reasons to Be Cheerful, part 3 (Why don't you get back into bed? Why don't you get back into bed?)
Reasons to Be Cheerful, part 3 (Why don't you get back into bed? Why don't you get back into bed?)
Reasons to Be Cheerful, one, two, three
Reasons to Be Cheerful, part 3 (Why don't you get back into bed? Why don't you get back into bed?)
Reasons to Be Cheerful, part 3 (Why don't you get back into bed? Why don't you get back into bed?)
Reasons to Be Cheerful, part 3 (Why don't you get back into bed? Why don't you get back into bed?)
Reasons to Be Cheerful, one, two, three
[Verse 2]
Reasons to Be Cheerful, part 3, verse two
Health service glasses, gigolos and brasses
Round or skinny bottoms
Take your mum to Paris, lighting up a chalice
Wee Willie Harris
Bantu Steven Biko, listening to Rico
Harpo Groucho Chico
Cheddar cheese and pickle, a Vincent motorcycle
Slap and tickle
Woody Allen (Reasons to Be Cheerful), Dali, Dmitri and Pascale (Part 3)
Balla, balla, balla and Volare
Something nice to study (Reasons to Be Cheerful), phoning up a buddy (Part 3)
Being in my nuddy
Saying okey-dokey (Reasons to Be Cheerful), sing-a-long a Smokie (Part 3)
Coming out of chokie
John Coltrane's soprano (Reasons to Be Cheerful), Adie Celentano
Beuno Colino (One, two, three)
[Chorus]
Reasons to Be Cheerful, part 3 (Why don't you get back into bed? Why don't you get back into bed?)
Reasons to Be Cheerful, part 3 (Why don't you get back into bed? Why don't you get back into bed?)
Reasons to Be Cheerful, part 3 (Why don't you get back into bed? Why don't you get back into bed?)
Reasons to Be Cheerful, one, two, three
[Interlude]
Yes, yes, dear, dear
Perhaps next year
Or maybe even never
In which case
[Chorus]
Reasons to Be Cheerful, part 3
Reasons to Be Cheerful, part 3
Reasons to Be Cheerful, part 3
Reasons to Be Cheerful, one, two, three
[Verse 3]
Woody Allen (Reasons to Be Cheerful), Dali, Domitrie and Pascale (Part 3)
Balla, balla, balla and Volare
Something nice to study (Reasons to Be Cheerful), phoning up a buddy (Part 3)
Being in my nuddy
Saying okey-dokey (Reasons to Be Cheerful), sing-a-long a Smokie (Part 3)
Coming out of chokie
John Coltrane's soprano (Reasons to Be Cheerful), Adie Celentano
Beuno Colino (One, two, three)
[Chorus]
Why don't you get back into bed? (Reasons to Be Cheerful)
Why don't you get back into bed? (Part 3)
Why don't you get back into bed? (Reasons to Be Cheerful)
Why don't you get back into bed? (Part 3)
Why don't you get back into bed? (Reasons to Be Cheerful)
Why don't you get back into bed? (Part 3)
Reasons to be Cheerful, one, two, three
Yes, yes, dear, dear
Perhaps next year
Or maybe even never
In which case
[Chorus]
Reasons to Be Cheerful, part 3
Reasons to Be Cheerful, part 3
Reasons to Be Cheerful, part 3
Reasons to Be Cheerful, one, two, three
[Verse 3]
Woody Allen (Reasons to Be Cheerful), Dali, Domitrie and Pascale (Part 3)
Balla, balla, balla and Volare
Something nice to study (Reasons to Be Cheerful), phoning up a buddy (Part 3)
Being in my nuddy
Saying okey-dokey (Reasons to Be Cheerful), sing-a-long a Smokie (Part 3)
Coming out of chokie
John Coltrane's soprano (Reasons to Be Cheerful), Adie Celentano
Beuno Colino (One, two, three)
[Chorus]
Why don't you get back into bed? (Reasons to Be Cheerful)
Why don't you get back into bed? (Part 3)
Why don't you get back into bed? (Reasons to Be Cheerful)
Why don't you get back into bed? (Part 3)
Why don't you get back into bed? (Reasons to Be Cheerful)
Why don't you get back into bed? (Part 3)
Reasons to be Cheerful, one, two, three
About
Genius Annotation
“Reasons to be Cheerful, Part 3” was the last song released by the original line-up of Ian Dury and the Blockheads. Despite the name, a “Part 1” or “Part 2” was never released.
The song was written and recorded following an electrical fault in Rome leading to cancelled shows and time off.
This song is very likely the first British hip-hop adjacent song ever released, followed by Allen & Blewitt – Chip Shop Wrapping, The Mexicano – Dallas, Bo Kool – (Money) No Love, and David Baird – Friday Neet (Gannin’ te the toon) in 1980.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
- 1.What A Waste
- 2.Reasons to Be Cheerful, Pt. 3
- 8.Inbetweenies
Credits
Producer
Writers
Released on
July 20, 1979
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