Guys and Dolls 1955 Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat

1955
Stubby Kaye

[breezingby]

I love how he just awkwardly sits back in his seat after he’s done delivering one of the greatest showstoppers in Broadway history
It’s particularly great because a moment like that couldn’t be done onstage, as there’d be no silence thanks to an ecstatic audience

[grennmanalieshi]

Stubby Kaye was my amazing and talented uncle! He married my dad's sister Angela Bracewell who was a dancer at the famous London Paladium! She was also the girl on the popular show " Beat the Clock!" Rest in Peace Stubby Kaye! ♥️

[crm]

The thing about Stubby Kaye's character in Guys and Dolls (and a lot of the other gamblers in this) is that even though he claims he's a bad man who gambles and drinks whiskey, you never believe a word of it because he's just too darn lovable!

[VinnyDrysdale]

I love when he hits the high notes. He has such a pure tone.

[kyletitterton]

"And the devil will drive you under..."

This line always has such a beautifully melancholy inflection. So wonderful.

[ayokay]

If you know anything about musical composition and musical theater, you'll appreciate the pure genius of this scene. Yeah, and it's also Stubby Kaye's greatest performance; A legacy in a single song.

[thecursor]

In Broadway, they called this an Eleven O'Clock number, it was a big second or third act tune that got everyone singing along before the finale.

[adamgregory]

Just finished two weeks of playing Nicely. An absolute gift of a part. I felt Stubby Kaye was watching over me.

[rdalin]

There have been many fine productions of Guys and Dolls since it first opened, but Stubby Kaye will always and forever own this song.

[annawisteria]

Happy 99th birthday, Stubby Kaye! You were, and still are, a Broadway legend.

[DLeighWrites]

The genius of this song and this moment: It legitimizes Nicely's transformation. It demonstrates to the police that a real meeting is happening. It makes every guy in the scene likeable. It's Nathan's first truth to Adelaide ("I'm going to a prayer meeting."), which makes how they end up (no spoilers) more realistic and is the beginning of them turning a real corner. It's full of redemption. All of this in a couple of showstopping minutes.

[binaway]

Not many performers have Sinatra sing in the chorus while they have the lead. Shows both what a performance Stubby Kaye gave and professional Sinatra was.

[gioiapatton]

To this DAY this number remains one of my favorites from any musical. It simply fascinates me!

[David_B_Dornburg]

My first introduction to Stubby Kaye was as a kid back in 1964, when he was the host of the Saturday morning kids TV game show SHENANIGANS. Didn't get to see the GUYS & DOLLS movie the first time till it hit the TV in '67.

[evansowa]

[NICELY]
I dreamed last night I got on the boat to heaven
And by some chance I had brought my dice along
And there I stood, and I hollered, "Someone fade me"
But the passengers they knew right from wrong

For the people all said
"Sit down, sit down you're rockin' the boat"
The people all said
"Sit down, sit down you're rockin' the boat
And the devil will drag you under
By the sharp lapel of your checkered coat
Sit down, sit down, sit down, sit down
Sit down you're rocking the boat"

I sailed away on that little boat to heaven
And by some chance found a bottle in my fist
And there I stood nicely passin' 'round the whiskey
But the passengers were bound to resist

For the people all said
"Beware you're on a heavenly trip"
The people all said
"Beware, beware you'll scuttle the ship
And the devil will drag you under
By the fancy tie 'round your wicked throat
Sit down, sit down, sit down, sit down
Sit down you're rockin' the boat"

And as I laughed at those passengers to heaven
A great big wave came and washed me overboard
And as I sank, and I hollered, "Someone save me"
That's the moment I woke up, thank the Lord

And I said to myself
"Sit down, sit down you're rocking the boat"
Said to myself
"Sit down, sit down you're rocking the boat
For the devil will drag you under
With a soul so heavy you'd never float
Sit down, sit down, sit down, sit down
Sit down you're rockin' the boat"

Sit down you're rockin' the boat
Sit down, sit down you're rockin' the boat
Sit down, sit down
Please be seated

[VinnyDrysdale]

Imagine being able to create something so iconic on Broadway and then on the big screen. What a joy that must have been for Mr. Kaye.

[litsci]

Absolutely unbelievable. I don't know how many times I've watched this, and it doesn't stop being magic. Some of the best two minutes Broadway ever had. And the wonderful fit of "someone fade me/someone save me"...man, that's songwriting.

[DaveFrank]

What is it about this fantastic performance that is so moving and makes you want to watch it over and over? The lyrics and the pacing is such marvelous genius! Yeah Frank Loesser and Stubby!

[DMBall]

For my money, one of the great numbers in musical history. Who could equal, much less surpass, Stubby Kaye's rendition?

[funkyunclenardi]

Anytime you catch a Stubby Kay number you know it’s gonna be amazing 🎭🎶. Definitely one of my favorite musical theatre artists!!