The butcher, the baker, the grocer, the clerk
Are secretly unhappy men because
The butcher, the baker, the grocer, the clerk
Get paid for what they do but no applause
They'd gladly bid their dreary jobs goodbye
For anything theatrical, and why?

There's no business like show business
Like no business I know
Everything about it is appealing
Everything the traffic will allow
Nowhere could you get that happy feeling
When you are stealing that extra bow

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 'change for a sack of gold
Let's go on with the show

The costumes, the scenery, the make-up, the props
The audience that lifts you when you're down
The headaches, the heartaches, the backaches, the flops
The sheriff who escorts you out of town
The opening when your heart beats like a drum
The closing when the customers won't come

There's no business like show business
Like no business I know
You get word before the show has started
That your favorite uncle died at dawn
Top of that, your ma and pa have parted
You're broken-hearted, but you go on

There's no people like show people
They don't run out of dough
Angels come from everywhere with lots of jack
And when you lose it there's no attack
Where could you get money that you don't give back
Let's go on with the show

The cowboys, the tumblers, the wrestlers, the clowns
The roustabouts that move the show at dawn
The music, the spotlight, the people, the towns
Your baggage with the labels pasted on
The sawdust and the horses and the smell
The towel you've taken from the last hotel

There's no business like show business
Like no business I know
Traveling through the country will be thrilling
Standing out in front on opening nights
Smiling as you watch the theater filling
And there's your billing out there in lights

There's no people like show people
They smile when they are low
Yesterday they told you you would not go far
That night you open and there you are
Next day on your dressing room they've hung a star
Let's go on with the show
Let's go on with the show