You Can't Get A Man With A Gun

Album: Annie Get Your Gun (1946)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This Irving Berlin composition was written for his 1946 Broadway musical Annie Get Your Gun, which is based rather loosely on the life of the legendary Annie Oakley (1860-1926). Phoebe Ann Moses met Frank Butler at Cincinnati in 1876, when she was just 15 years old. She beat him in a sharp shooting competition, which contrary to what is implied in this song, impressed him mightily. They married on August 23 the same year and spent the rest of their lives together.

    Annie died at Greenville, Ohio on November 3, 1926. Her husband lost the will to live, and died 18 days later. In the Berlin musical, the song is performed solo by Annie in the first act. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Jethro Tull

Jethro TullFact or Fiction

Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino EditionMusic Quiz

Whether he's splitting ears or burning Nazis, Quentin Tarantino uses memorable music in his films. See if you can match the song to the scene.

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)Songwriter Interviews

Mike Rutherford talks about the "Silent Running" storyline and "Land Of Confusion" in the age of Trump.

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillian

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillianSong Writing

A Soul Train dancer takes us through a day on the show, and explains what you had to do to get camera time.