MEN'S CHORUS: The costumes, the scenery, the makeup, the props The audience that lifts you when you're down
WOMEN'S CHORUS: The headaches, the heartaches, the backaches, the flops The sheriff who escorts you out of town
MEN'S CHORUS: The opening when your heart beats like a drum
WOMEN'S CHORUS: The closing when the customers won't come
ALLS: There's no business like show business Like no business I know
MEN'S CHORUS: Everything about it is appealing
WOMEN'S CHORUS: Everything the traffic will allow
MEN'S CHORUS: No where could you have that happy feeling
ALLL: When you aren't stealing that extra bow There's no people like show people They smile when they are low
MEN'S CHORUS: Yesterday they told you you would not go far
WOMEN'S CHORUS: That night you opened and there you are
MEN'S CHORUS: Next day on your dressing room they've hung a star
ALL: Let's go on with the show
MEN'S CHORUS: The cowboys, the wrestlers, the tumblers, the clowns The roustabouts that move the show at dawn
WOMEN'S CHORUS: The music, the spotlights, the people, the towns Your baggage with the labels pasted on
MEN'S CHORUS: The sawdust and the horses and the smell
WOMEN'S CHORUS: The towel you've taken from the last hotel
ALL: There's no business like show business If you tell me it's so Traveling through the country is so thrilling Standing out in front on opening nights Smiling as you watch the benches filling And see your billing up there in lights
There's no people like show people They smile when they are low Even with a turkey that you know will fold You may be stranded out in the cold Still you wouldn't trade it for a sack o' gold Let's go on with the show Let's go on with the show! The show! The show!