| "Daisy Bell (Bicycle Built For Two)" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Song | |
| Released | 1892 |
| Genre | Music hall,standard |
| Songwriter | Harry Dacre |
"Daisy Bell (Bicycle Built for Two)" is a song written in 1892 by British songwriterHarry Dacre with the chorus "Daisy, Daisy / Give me your answer, do. / I'm half crazy / all for the love of you", ending with the words "a bicycle built for two". The song is said to have been inspired byDaisy Greville, Countess of Warwick, one of the many mistresses of KingEdward VII.[1][2] It is the earliest song sung using computerspeech synthesis by theIBM 7094 in 1961.
"Daisy Bell" was composed byHarry Dacre in 1892. As David Ewen writes inAmerican Popular Songs:[3]
When Dacre, an English popular composer, first came to the United States, he brought with him a bicycle, for which he was charged import duty. His friendWilliam Jerome, another songwriter, remarked lightly: "It's lucky you didn't bring abicycle built for two, otherwise you'd have to pay double duty." Dacre was so taken with the phrase "bicycle built for two" that he soon used it in a song. That song, Daisy Bell, first became successful in a London music hall, in a performance byKatie Lawrence.Tony Pastor was the first to sing it in the United States. Its success in America began when Jennie Lindsay brought down the house with it at theAtlantic Gardens on theBowery early in 1892.
The song was originally recorded and released byDan W. Quinn in 1893.[4]
There is a flower within my heart, Daisy, Daisy!
Planted one day by a glancing dart,
Planted by Daisy Bell!
Whether she loves me or loves me not,
Sometimes it's hard to tell;
Yet I am longing to share the lot
Of beautiful Daisy Bell!
Daisy, Daisy,
Give me your answer, do!
I'm half crazy,
All for the love of you!
It won't be a stylish marriage,
I can't afford a carriage,
But you'll look sweet upon the seat
Of a bicycle built for two!
We will go "tandem" as man and wife, Daisy, Daisy!
"Pedaling" away down the road of life,
I and my Daisy Bell!
When the road's dark we can both despise
Policeman and "lamps" as well;
There are "bright lights" in the dazzling eyes
Of beautiful Daisy Bell!
(Chorus)
I will stand by you in "wheel" or woe, Daisy, Daisy!
You'll be the bell(e) which I'll ring you know!
Sweet little Daisy Bell!
You'll take the "lead" in each "trip" we take,
Then if I don't do well;
I will permit you to use the brake,
My beautiful Daisy Bell!
(Chorus)
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