A complete guide to all the songs from 'Guys & Dolls'

What's playing at the Bridge Theatre? Learn more about Frank Loesser's outstanding songs for Guys & Dolls as Nicholas Hytner's production enters its final extension.

Julia Rank6 June, 2024, 08:00

“I’ve got the horse right here / The name is Paul Revere / And here’s a guy that says that the weather’s clear / Can do, can do / This guy says the horse can do…” Right from the beginning of Frank Loesser’s masterpiece Guys & Dolls, we’re immersed in a world filled with lovable low-life gamblers who speak in a very particular New York vernacular.

Frank Loesser developed the music and lyrics for the show, while Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows wrote the book. The songs include “Luck Be a Lady”, “Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat”, and “I’ve Never Been in Love Before”.

The show has arguably never been better served than in Nicholas Hytner’s truly immersive production at the Bridge Theatre, with its plethora of moving parts — you can even book a standing ticket to be part of the action. Or you can sit back and appreciate Arlene Phillips’s outstanding choreography, which won a richly deserved Olivier Award this year.

You can also listen to the fabulous cast recording featuring the revival’s original cast members, including Marisha Wallace, Daniel Mays, Andrew Richardson, and Celinde Schoenmaker.

Don’t miss the party, playing until 4 January, 2025. Book Guys & Dolls seated tickets on London Theatre.

Book Guys & Dolls standing tickets on London Theatre.

Overture/Runyonland

The show opens with a pantomime establishing New York City in all its hustle and bustle. Showgirls, pretzel sellers, gamblers, barbers, shoe shiners, and Salvation Army officers are all part of the whirl of energy.

“Fugue for Tinhorns”

Gamblers Nicely-Nicely Johnson, Benny Southstreet, and Rusty Charlie debate which horse will win a big race in a rhythmic three-part harmony.

“Follow the Fold”

The Save-a-Soul mission, led by the beautiful and dedicated Sergeant Sarah Brown, sings this call to arms as they seek out sinners.

“The Oldest Established”

Why, it’s good old reliable Nathan! The gamblers need a venue for the “oldest established permanent floating crap game in New York” but their mastermind Nathan Detroit is broke and can’t afford the $1000 deposit on the Biltmore Garage. Nathan bets star gambler Sky Masterson that he can’t take the pious Sarah on a date to Havana. Sky accepts the challenge.

“I’ll Know”

Sky visits the mission and offers to deliver “one dozen genuine sinners” in return for a date in Havana. Sarah is disgusted and refuses. She has her ideal man all planned out: “I’ll know by his calm steady voice / Those feet on the ground / I’ll know as I run to his arms / That at last I’ll come home safe and sound.” For Sky, finding love will be a case of “chance and chemistry”: “I won’t ever ask, am I wise, am I right am I smart?” They sing the final lines together and share a kiss. Shocked at what’s happened, Sarah slaps him.

“I’ll Know” (Reprise)

Sarah doubles down on her resolve to find true love with an honourable man and not settle for “some fly by night Broadway romance”.

“A Bushel and a Peck”

Nathan and his showgirl fiancée Miss Adelaide have been engaged for 14 years to the day. In typical Nathan fashion, he’s forgotten to buy her a present. But she has to put on a show in her act at the Hotbox nightclub, in which she and her “farmerettes” perform as farm girls in suggestive outfits.

“Adelaide’s Lament”

Poor Adelaide is fed up. She’s told her mother that she and Nathan have been married for years and have a brood of children. She also has a pesky cold that just won’t go away. The pop psychology book she’s reading suggests a permanent cold is the manifestation of the frustration of being permanently engaged, leaving her with “a post-nasal drip”. This number is a comic masterpiece that evokes plenty of empathy for this wonderful character.

“Guys and Dolls”

The title song, sung by Nicely-Nicely and Benny, who question how “A smart businessman like Nathan should go and fall in love with his own fiancée.” They don't understand it but guys everywhere are: “Call it hell, call it heaven / But it’s a probable twelve to seven / That the guy’s only doing it for some doll”.

“Havana”

Sarah agrees to go to Havana with Sky after General Cartwright tells her that the mission will be closed due to lack of interest. In Havana, Sarah indulges on dulce de leche milkshakes, unaware that they contain rum. They dance (not only with each other) and a different side to the uptight mission doll is revealed. They kiss.

“If I Were a Bell”

Before getting on the plane back to New York, an uninhibited Sarah lets her hair down and expresses her feelings to Sky: “Well, sir, all I can say is that if I were a bell I’d be ringing.” There’s a lovely selection of metaphors in this number, culminating in “Pal, if I were salad, I know I’d be splashing my dressing.” “Yeah, chemistry,” indeed.

“My Time of Day”

Back in New York in the early hours of the morning, Sky tells Sarah that his favourite time of day is “When the street belongs to the cop / And the janitor with the mop / … And you’re the only doll I’ve ever wanted to share it with me.” He admits that his real name is Obadiah.

“I’ve Never Been in Love Before”

Sky and Sarah admit that they’ve fallen for each other, a new experience for both (“I thought my heart was safe / I thought I knew the score…”) and sing this lovely romantic duet. However, the mood is spoiled when gamblers rush out of the mission and Sarah assumes that Sky was using her so that they could hold the crap game in her absence.

“Take Back Your Mink”

Back at the Hotbox, Adelaide is in full showgirl mode, supported by her “debutantes”, as she cuts ties with a suitor who has tried to buy her with expensive gifts. It’s a fabulous song and dance number and Adelaide is in a particularly exuberant mood as she and Nathan are planning to elope that evening. Finally!

“Adelaide’s Lament” (Reprise)

Oh no, Nathan has cancelled yet again! A heartbroken Adelaide suspects she has “So much virus inside / That her microscope slide / Looks like a day at the zoo”.

“More I Cannot Wish You”

Sarah confides in her grandfather Arvide, a fellow mission worker, about Sky, who consoles her with this sentimental number about his wishes for her future.

“Luck Be a Lady”

Probably the best-known number in the score. Sky makes a bet with Nathan and friends. If he loses, he owes them $1000. If he wins, they have to go to Sarah’s prayer meeting with him. “I’ve bet my life on this roll,” sings Sky. This is his chance to get Sarah back. “Lady Luck” is personified as a mercurial figure – “A lady doesn’t wander all over the room / And blow on some other guy’s dice” but no gambler is ever guaranteed her loyalty.

“Sue Me”

Nathan’s reason for cancelling? He has to go to a prayer meeting! Who would think that his worst lie ever would actually be the truth? Adelaide, understandably, is at the end of her tether. “The best years of my life I was a fool to give to you.” Nathan does truly love her but what’s the use if he can’t commit?

“Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat”

General Cartwright is thrilled to see so many sinners in attendance. Nicely Nicely embraces the evangelical fervour and relates a dream about being on the boat to heaven with his dice and whisky, and his fellow passengers advising him to repent before he’s deported to hell. This number is an enormous showstopper infused with gospel influences and there are never enough encores. The chair-ography in the current production is also quite something to behold!

“Marry the Man Today”

Adelaide and Sarah meet in a bar and drown their sorrows together. They’re better off without their men – but maybe there’s another way. After all, “You can’t get alterations on a dress you haven’t bought.” If they get the men down the aisle, they can then get to work: “Give him the girlish laughter / Give him your hand today / And save your fist for after.” Marriage is a gamble, after all!

“Finale”

It’s happy endings all round as Nathan and Adelaide finally tie the know, and we learn that Sky and Sarah were married that morning. Will the fellows settle down to domestic life? Who knows! But women as strong as Sarah and Adelaide aren’t going to take any nonsense.

Book Guys & Dolls seated tickets on London Theatre.