"Piano Lesson" (also known as "If You Don't Mind My Saying So") is a song featured in the 1962 film The Music Man, written by Meredith Willson. It is performed by the characters Marian Paroo and Mrs. Paroo, portrayed by actors Shirley Jones and Pert Kelton respectively. In the song, Marian Paroo tells her mother that a man had attempted to follow her. Mrs. Paroo is excited, as she wants Marian to get married and settle down, but Marian is not impressed with the intellectual caliber of the men she meets. The two of them sing an argument, accompanied by Amaryllis playing a piano exercise, about whether Marian's expectations are unrealistic.
Background[]
The song is a charming and humorous musical number that showcases the dynamic between Marian, the town librarian and piano teacher, and her mother, Mrs. Paroo. The song is set in their home during a piano lesson Marian is giving to a young student named Amaryllis (Monique Vermont). It is composed in the key of G major and is written in 4/4 time. It features a lively melody that is both catchy and memorable. The lyrics, written by Meredith Willson, are witty and filled with clever rhymes, reflecting the playful banter between Marian and Mrs. Paroo.
Lyrics[]
Marian:
Mama, a man with a suitcase followed me home.
Mrs. Paroo:
Oh--Who?
Marian:
I never saw him before.
Mrs. Paroo:
Did he say anythin'?
Marian:
He tried.
Mrs. Paroo:
Did you say anythin'?
Marian:
Of course not, Mama!
Now don't dawdle, Amaryllis
Sol - do - la - re - ti - mi
A little slower and please
Keep the fingers curved as nice
And as high as you possibly can
Don't get faster, dear.
Mrs. Paroo:
If you don't mind my sayin' so, it wouldn't have hurt you to find out what the gentleman wanted.
Marian:
I know what the gentleman wanted.
Mrs. Paroo:
What, dear?
Marian:
You'll find it in Balzac.
Mrs. Paroo:
Excuse me fer livin' but I never read it.
Marian:
Neither has anyone else in this town.
Mrs. Paroo:
There you go again with the same old comment
About the low mentality of River City people
And takin' it all to much to heart
Marian:
Now, Mama
As long as the Madison Public Library was entrusted
To me for the purpose of improving River City's cultural level
I can't help my concern that the Ladies of River City
Keep ignoring all my council and advice
Mrs. Paroo:
But, darlin'--when a woman has a husband
And you've got none
Why should she take advice from you?
Even if you can quote Balzac and Shakespeare
And all them other highfalutin' Greeks
Marian:
Mama, if you don't mind my sayin' so, you have a bad habit of changin' ev'ry subject.
Mrs. Paroo:
Well, I haven't changed the subject! I was talking about that stranger.
Marian:
What stranger?
Mrs. Paroo:
With the suitcase who may be your very last chance
Marian:
Mama!
Do you think that I'd allow a common masher--
Now, really Mama!
I have my standards where men are concerned
And I have no intention--
Mrs. Paroo:
I know all about your standards
And if you don't mind my sayin' so
There's not a man alive
Who could hope to measure up to that blend'a
Paul Bunyan, Saint Pat and Noah Webster
You've got concocted for yourself outta your Irish imagination
Your Iowa stubbornness, and your liberry fulla' books!
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