[Verse 1] Morning slips through the blinds, Chicago waking below, Shoes off, feet on the floor, Hear that old piano go. Someone’s laughing in the hall, Someone’s knocking at the door, I was only passing by, Now I want a little more. [Pre-Chorus] You got that spark in your step, I got a grin I can’t hide, The whole room starts spinning just right When you’re standing by my side. [Chorus] It’s lively here, it’s cheerful here, (It’s lively here!) Leave your worries at the door, There’s no room for trouble here. It’s lively here, it’s cheerful here, (So stay right here!) Hands up, heart full, let it steer, It’s lively here, it’s cheerful here. [Verse 2] Paper cups and a sweet cold drink, Sun on the tablecloth, Someone calls your name outside, And the whole room starts to laugh. Old Joe’s dancing with his cane, Lucy’s singing out of key, Nobody cares who gets it right, Tonight we’re simply free. A taxi driver leaves his cab, A banker loosens up his tie, A woman in a bright red dress Throws both her hands up to the sky. [Pre-Chorus] You got that spark in your step, I got a grin I can’t hide, The whole room starts spinning just right When you’re standing by my side. [Chorus] It’s lively here, it’s cheerful here, (It’s lively here!) Leave your worries at the door, There’s no room for trouble here. It’s lively here, it’s cheerful here, (So stay right here!) Hands up, heart full, let it steer, It’s lively here, it’s cheerful here. [Verse 3] Then a stranger takes a chair In the corner by the wall, Hat pulled down across his eyes, Like he doesn’t care at all. He says, “I’ve had a hell of a day, And tomorrow may be worse.” Someone slides a drink his way, The piano plays another verse. Then you walk across the room, Say, “Mister, you can sit and stare, But sooner or later you’ll understand— Nobody stays lonely here.” [Break – Spoken / Ensemble] Hey, piano man! Give us something we can dance to! Drummer! Give us something we can feel! Everybody! Move those tables! Clear that floor! One... Two... One, two, three, four! [Big Chorus] It’s lively here, it’s cheerful here, (It’s lively here!) Let the rhythm shake the ceiling, Let them hear us everywhere. It’s lively here, it’s cheerful here, (So stay right here!) Stamp your feet and raise your glass, We’ve got nothing left to fear. It’s lively here, it’s cheerful here, Come on closer, don’t disappear. Hands up, heart full, loud and clear— It’s lively here, it’s cheerful here! [Bridge] If the world gets rough outside, Bring your troubles through the door. We can trade them for a laugh, Maybe something even more. You don’t need a fancy name, You don’t need a dollar more. Tonight the richest one among us Is the one out on the floor. And that stranger in the corner? Well, he’s standing on his chair, Hat is gone and arms are flying— Now he’s leading everyone there! [Musical Break / Ensemble] Left foot! (Right foot!) Turn around! (All night!) One more time! (That’s right!) Chicago, are you feeling all right? [Final Chorus] It’s lively here, it’s cheerful here, (It’s lively here!) From the morning to the midnight, There is something special here. It’s lively here, it’s cheerful here, (So stay right here!) Every stranger becomes a friend When the music reaches their ears. It’s lively here, it’s cheerful here, Let the whole wide world come near. Hands up, heart full, loud and clear— It’s lively here, it’s cheerful here! [Finale – Ensemble] So when tomorrow brings you down, And the city feels too cold, You know exactly where to come, You know exactly where to go. There’ll be laughter in the hallway, There’ll be music through the door, And someone shouting from inside— “Come on in! There’s room for more!” [Final Hit] It’s lively here! (It’s lively here!) It’s cheerful here! (It’s cheerful here!) EVERYBODY: IT’S LIVELY HERE — AND WE’RE STAYING HERE!
