Wouldn’t You Like to Be on Broadway / What Good Would the Moon Be

Song Meaning

The first part of this song paints a vivid picture of the allure of Broadway, a place synonymous with glamour, success, and an aspirational lifestyle. The lyrics list tangible symbols of this dream: dancing at the Zanzibar, an "up-and-coming boyfriend" who excels at golf, designer clothes from Bergdorf Goodman, and extravagant accessories like red alligator shoes and "seventeen dozen nylon hose." The repeated question, "Wouldn't you like to be on Broadway?" coupled with the assurance that "It's just a few blocks over / I know the way," creates a sense of immediate, attainable fantasy, almost a siren song promising entry into a dazzling world. However, the second part of the song, sung from a different perspective, introduces a profound counterpoint to this materialistic vision. The narrator acknowledges the superficial beauty of "diamonds" and "fur coats" worn by "Broadway stars," recognizing their cost and potential to enhance her appearance. Yet, she immediately questions their intrinsic value when detached from genuine connection. The core tension emerges: the glittering external world of Broadway versus the internal need for authentic love and companionship. This contrast is masterfully highlighted through a series of rhetorical questions that dismantle the appeal of worldly success without love. "What good would the moon be / Unless the right one shared its beams?" and "What good would dreams-come-true be / If love wasn't in those dreams?" These lines strip away the romance from even the most beautiful scenarios, revealing them as hollow. The "primrose path," a metaphor for an easy, pleasant life, is rendered meaningless without a loved one to share it with, directly challenging the aspirational narrative of Part I. The ultimate effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their clear articulation of a fundamental human truth: material wealth and fame are secondary to meaningful connection. The narrator's final declaration, "No, it won't be diamonds and gold / But maybe it will be / Someone who'll love me," is not a resignation but a powerful assertion of priorities. It suggests that true fulfillment isn't found on the "Great White Way" but in the simple, profound exchange of love, making the song resonate deeply by valuing emotional richness over superficial splendor.