Too Darn Hot

Sometimes in a Broadway musical, there is a song that doesn’t seem to contribute to the story. It usually allows someone to shine, perhaps an underutilized singer or dancer. Why is it there? Is it just a fluff piece? Sometimes. And sometimes it is going on in front of the curtain while a set change is going on behind, or to allow a leading actor time for a costume change.

Too Darn Hot from Cole Porter’s musical Kiss Me, Kate is one of the first kind. It opens the second act. If the set crew hasn’t changed the set by the end of Intermission, they need a new design. There is a pretty massive set change, but in a Broadway theater there should be plenty of time to make the change.

The song is a chance for the second male lead of Bill to have another solo, and it gives him a chance to show off his dancing, too. Besides, it’s a fun song.

One brief explanation: the Kinsey Reports were two studies done in 1948 and 1953. The first was published as a book called Sexual Behavior in the Human Male, and the second was Sexual Behavior in the Human Female. They were groundbreaking and highly controversial. When Kiss Me, Kate was first done, only the book on male behavior had been published.

It's too darn hot
It's too darn hot
I'd like to sup with my baby tonight
Refill the cup with my baby tonight
I'd like to sup with my baby tonight
Refill the cup with my baby tonight
But I ain't up to my baby tonight
'Cause it's too darn hot

It's too darn hot
It's too darn hot
I'd like to stop for my baby tonight
And blow my top for my baby tonight
I'd like to stop for my baby tonight
And blow my top for my baby tonight
But I'll be a flop with my baby tonight
'Cause it's too darn hot

According to the Kinsey report
Every average man you know
Much prefers to play his favorite sport
When the temperature is low
But when the thermometer goes way up
And the weather is sizzling hot
Mister Adam for his madam is not
‘Cause it’s too too too too darn hot

It's too darn hot
It's too darn hot
I’d like to call on my baby tonight
And give my all to my baby tonight
I’d like to call on my baby tongiht
And give my all to my baby tonight
But I can’t play ball with my baby tonight
‘Cause it’s too darn hot

It's too darn hot
It's too darn hot
I’d like to coo with my baby tonight
And pitch the woo with my baby tonight
I’d like to coo with my baby tonight
And pitch the woo with my baby tonight
But brother, you pitch my baby tonight
‘Cause it’s too darn hot

According to the Kinsey report
Every average man you know
Much prefers his lovey-dovey to court
When the temperature is low
But when the thermometer goes way up
And the weather is sizzling hot
Mister Pants for romance is not
Cause it’s too too too darn hot

It's too darn hot
It's too darn hot
I’d like to fool with my baby tonight
Break every rule with my baby tonight
I’d like to fool with my baby tonight
Break every rule with my baby tonight
But pillow, you’ll be my baby tonight
‘Cause it’s too darn hot

It's too darn hot
It's too darn hot
I’d like to meet with my baby tonight
Get off my feet with my baby tonight
I’d like to meet with my baby tonight
Get off my feet with my baby tonight
But no repeat with my baby tonight
‘Cause it’s too darn hot

According to the Kinsey report
Every average man you know
Much prefers his lovey-dovey to court
When the temperature is low
But when the thermometer goes way up
Mister God for his squab
A Marine for his queen
A G.I. for his cutie pie is not
‘Cause it’s too too too darn hot
It’s too darn hot
It’s too darn hot


It’s August, so of course it’s too darn hot.
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I’ll be playing this and other songs from Cole Porter this week on my Minnich Music Facebook page, so be sure to check them out.
 
Until next time!
 

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