Daisy Bell
“Daisy Bell (Bicycle Built for Two)” is a popular song with music by Harry Dacre and lyrics by William Jerome. It was written in 1892 and has become a well-known and enduring standard in American music. The song is often associated with nostalgia for the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The lyrics of “Daisy Bell” convey a playful and romantic theme. The song tells the story of a young man expressing his love for a woman named Daisy and proposing to take her for a ride on his bicycle built for two. The chorus includes the well-known lines:
“Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer, do. I’m half crazy all for the love of you. It won’t be a stylish marriage, I can’t afford a carriage, But you’d look sweet upon the seat of a bicycle built for two.”
The song was originally written as a novelty tune, and it became popular as a music hall and vaudeville song. It has been recorded and performed by various artists in different musical styles.
One of the most famous renditions of “Daisy Bell” is the one performed by the HAL 9000 computer in Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 film “2001: A Space Odyssey.” The use of the song in this context has added to its recognition and enduring appeal.
“Daisy Bell” is a charming and nostalgic piece of American music, known for its light-hearted and romantic themes. It continues to be remembered and performed, often evoking a sense of the past and a bygone era.