The Frogs - Dress Big Lyrics

2004 Broadway
The Frogs The Musical - Dress Big Lyrics


Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

HERAKLES:
You gotta dress big,
Dress bold,
Dress large.
You gotta look forceful
And resourceful
And in charge.
You wanna dress mean,
Not clean --
Aggressive.

DIONYSOS:
Very impressive.

HERAKLES:
Gotta dress massive,
Not passive.

DIONYSOS:
Very imprassive.

HERAKLES:
Gotta dress fierce
And raw
And hairy.
More than just prominent,
Predominantly
Scary.
It's not the real you, I guarantee you,
That'll see you
Through this gig.
It's the rig,
You dig?
Dress big.

What do you have in that bag?

DIONYSOS:
Well fortunately,
I packed several different ensembles.

HERAKLES:
Like what?

DIONYSOS:
Well, I have this in gold, blue and magenta...

HERAKLES:
Any weapons?

DIONYSOS:
Only my rapier wit.

HERAKLES:
It isn't enough
To be
A god.
You gotta convey it
With a deity's
Fa'ade.

A god should look godlike,
With a bod like --
Well, like mine.

DIONYSOS:
You're the meaning of divine.

HERAKLES:
And so that's who you'll be.

DIONYSOS:
What's who I'll be?

HERAKLES:
You'll pretend to be me.

DIONYSOS:
Oh, no, no, no -- that's a bit of a stretch.

HERAKLES:
You flaunt a few furs,
You drape a few skins,
You hang a few pelts.

DIONYSOS:
I have this in sable.

HERAKLES:
Takes more than a mink
To make people think
You're somebody else.

DIONYSOS:
Perhaps a hat?

HERAKLES:
You gotta wear everything you've killed,
Which oughta help cover up your build.
Just let 'em see this, boy, they'll be chilled.
Not to say thrilled...

Here, try this lionskin on for size.

DIONYSOS:
Oh, my!

HERAKLES:
The vine leaves have to go.

DIONYSOS:
But it's my signature!

HERAKLES:
Not any more. You're gonna have to be me.

DIONYSOS:
Very well...

HERAKLES:
Better.

You gotta look messy,
Not saucy.
Less dressy,
More bossy.
Be mussy,
Not glossy.
Too fussy.
Too Fosse.

You're fighting the outfit and the outfit's winning.
Stomach in! Chest out! Head up! Atta boy!

DIONYSOS:
Oh! Well, I -- I hate to admit it,
But this actually looks better on me than it does on you.

HERAKLES:
Some people can't wear lion, you can.

DIONYSOS:
Yes, and I like what it's saying. It says I'm a warrior,
But I make my own clothes. Xanthias, how do I look?

XANTHIAS:
Like the circle of life has stopped.

HERAKLES:
You don't walk, you stride.
You don't amble, you don't sidle.
You remind them you're an idol.

DIONYSOS:
Well, you don't expect me to carry
that gigantic club around, do you?

HERAKLES:
What kind of a god are you?

DIONYSOS:
The kind with lower back problems.

HERAKLES:
And don't say, "lower back problems." Say:
"I have a spine of steel!"

You don't talk, you growl.
You don't mutter things, you roar 'em.
As for matters of decorum,
Ignore 'em.

You gotta act big
And loud
And rough.

DIONYSOS:
And that's enough?

HERAKLES:
As long as you swear a lot
And wear a lot
Of stuff.

DIONYSOS:
Damn. Fooey.

HERAKLES:
You gotta speak firmer --

DIONYSOS:
Damn! Fooey!

HERAKLES:
Don't murmur --

DIONYSOS:
Damn!! Fooey!!

HERAKLES:
Don't mumble --
Rumble --

By George, he's got it!

HERAKLES, XANTHIAS:
I think you've got it!

DIONYSOS:
You talkin' to me?
You talkin' to me?!

HERAKLES:
That's it, now glower --

DIONYSOS:
Butt out!

HERAKLES:
-- To show your power.

DIONYSOS:
So's your old man!

HERAKLES:
Watch how they cower
As your power
Starts to flower.

DIONYSOS:
Stick it in your ear!

HERAKLES:
What you'll discover
Is that people think the cover
Is the book.
It's all in the look.
So look like the oak
Instead of the twig.

DIONYSOS:
Blow it out your ass!

HERAKLES:
Walk tall!
Stand proud!
Look fierce!
Talk loud!
Dress big!



Other Songs: The Frogs Musical Songs Lyrics
The Frogs lyrics Dress Big Stephen Sondheim


The Frogs The Musical Lyrics

SYNOPSIS
Opening Fanfare
Invocation and Instructions to the Audience
I Love to Travel
Dress Big
I Love to Travel (reprise)
All Aboard
Ariadne
The Frogs
Hymn to Dionysos
Hades
It's Only a Play
Shaw
Fear No More
All Aboard (reprise)
Hymn to Dionysos (reprise)
Final Instructions to the Audience