About
Written by Cole Porter in 1936 for the musical Red, Hot and Blue, It’s De-Lovely was revived by Robbie Williams for the 2004 biographical film De-Lovely, which told Porter’s life story. Recorded with a full orchestra, the song appeared on the official soundtrack and in the film’s wedding scene, where Williams performed it on screen. His version retained the wit and sophistication of Porter’s original while bringing a modern charm and swing energy to the timeless standard.
Williams’ playful phrasing and warm tone made the song feel effortless. The lyric, full of Porter's signature wordplay, turns adjectives into affection: “It’s delightful, it’s delicious, it’s delectable, it’s delirious, it’s de-limit, it’s deluxe, it’s de-lovely.” During filming, Williams initially struggled to remember the words but mastered them overnight, later performing the piece in one take. He later admitted that he felt more comfortable singing swing material than his own pop songs.
I grew up with this kind of music because of my dad. Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Dean Martin. Singing Porter just feels like coming home.Robbie Williams
Performed in tuxedo and slicked hair, Williams embodied the glamour of the 1930s with humour and style. His performance was later reprised on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, where it received praise for its authentic big-band sound. It’s De-Lovely captures Williams’ deep connection to swing and musical theatre, offering a joyful reminder of his versatility as both singer and entertainer.
Lyrics
Of ditty that invokes the Spring
So, control your desire to curse
While I crucify the verse
This verse you've started seems to me
The Tin Pan-tithesis of melody
So to spare you all the pain
I'll skip the darn thing and sing the refrain
Mi mi mi mi re re re re do sol mi do la si
Take it away
The night is young, the skies are clear
And if you want to go walkin', dear
It's delightful, it's delicious, it's d'lovely
I understand the reason why
You're sentimental, 'cause so am I
It's delightful, it's delicious, it's d'lovely
You can tell at a glance
What a swell night this is for romance
You can hear, dear Mother Nature
Murmuring low
Let yourself go
So please be sweet, my chickadee
And when I kiss you, just say to me
It's delightful, it's delicious
It's delectable, it's delirious
It's dilemma, it's de limit
It's deluxe, it's d'lovely
Time marches on and soon it's plain
You've won my heart and I lost my brain
It's delightful, it's delicious, it's d'lovely
Life seems so sweet that we decide
It's in the bag to get unified
It's delightful, it's delicious, it's d'lovely
See the crowd in that church
See the proud parson plopped on his perch
Get the sweet beat of that organ sealing our doom
Here goes the groom, boom!
How they cheer and how they smile
As we go galopping down the aisle
It's divine, dear, it's divene, dear,
It's d'wunderbar, it's d'victory
It's d'velop, it's d'vinner,
It's d'voix, it's d'lovely
The night is tired and so we take
The few hours off to eat wedding cake
It's delightful, it's delicious, it's d'lovely
It feels so fine to be a bride
And how's the groom while he's slightly fried
It's divineful, it's delicious, it's d'lovely
To the pop of champagne
Off we hop in our plush little plane
'Til a bright light through the darkness
Cosily calls Niagara Falls
Well, my love, our day's complete
What a beautiful bridal suite
It's D'reamy, it's d'rousy
It's d'reverie, it's d'rhapsodie
It's d'regal, it's d'royal
It's d'ritz, it's d'lovely
We settle down as man and wife
To solve the riddle called married life
It's delightful, it's delicious, it's d'lovely
Credits
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Vocalist
Robbie Williams -
Songwriter
Cole Porter -
Original Artist
Cole Porter