Whatever Happened to Melody

Whatever happened to melody
Sweet, old-fashioned melody?
Roses and ribbons and romance and rhyme
Songs about two hearts in three-quarter time
Once, there were movies with stars who were stars
Where, oh where can they be?
And why aren't there heroes
Like yesterday's heroes?
And whatever happened to melody?

Gene Tunney, Joe Louis
Ah, those were fighters!
Not like the pipsqueaks they palm off today
Hemingway, Steinbeck
Now, those were writers
With style
And with substance
And something to say!

Garbo and Gable
And Franklin D. Roosevelt
I could go on and on!
Babe Ruth and Bogey
And Gershwin
And Hoagy
Ah, what's the use?
They're gone, all gone!

And whatever happened to melody?
Who stole all the poetry?
Posies and picnics and walks in the wood
Hammocks and hayrides, have they gone for good?
Whatever happened to just holding hands
'Neath the old apple tree?
Gone is the magic
And speaking of magic
Whatever happened to you and me?