[Verse:]
Have you seen the well-to-do
Up and down Park Avenue
On that famous thoroughfare
With their noses in the air
High hats and Arrow collars
White spats and lots of dollars
Spending every dime
For a wonderful time
[Refrain:]
If you're blue and you don't know where to go to
Why don't you go where fashion sits
Puttin' on the ritz
Diff'rent types who wear a day coat, pants with stripes
And cutaway coat, perfect fits
Puttin' on the ritz
Dressed up like a million dollar trouper
Trying hard to look like Gary Cooper
Super duper
Come, let's mix where Rockefellers walk with sticks
Or "um-ber-ellas" in their mitts
Puttin' on the ritz
[Alternate lyrics:]
Strolling up the avenue so happy
All dressed up just like an English chappie
Very snappy
You'll declare it's simply topping [top-thing?] to be there
And hear them swapping smart tidbits
Puttin' on the ritz
[Alternate lyrics from Fred Astaire's commercial recording:]
Tips his hat just like an English chappie
To a lady with a wealthy pappy
Very snappy