Verse: Have you seen the well-to-do up on Lenox Avenue?
On that famous thoroughfare, with their noses in the air?
High hats and colored collars, white spats and fifteen dollars;
Spending every dime for a wonderful time.

Chorus: If you're blue and you don't know where to go to,
Why don't you go where Harlem sits, Puttin' on the Ritz!
Spangled gowns upon a bevy of high browns,
From down the levee, all misfits, Puttin' on the Ritz!
That's where each and every Lulu Bell goes,
Ev'ry Thursday ev'ning with her swell beaus, rubbin' elbows.
Come with me and we'll attend their jubilee
And see them spend their last two bits, Puttin' on the Ritz!

Verse (alternate): Have you seen the well-to-do up and down Park Avenue,
On that famous thoroughfare with their noses in the air,
High hats and Arrow collars, white spats and lots of dollars,
Spending every dime, for a wonderful time.

Chorus 1 (alternate): If you're blue and you don't know where to go to
Why don't you go where fashion sits, Puttin' on the Ritz.
Different types who wear a day coat, pants with stripes,
And cutaway coat perfect fits, Puttin' on the Ritz.
Dressed up like a million dollar trooper
Trying hard to look like Gary Cooper (Super-duper)
Come, let's mix where Rockefellers walk with sticks,
Or um-ber-ellas in their mitts, Puttin' on the Ritz.

Chorus 2 (alternate): If you're blue and you don't know where to go to
Why don't you go where fashion sits, Puttin' on the Ritz.
Different types who wear a day coat, pants with stripes,
And cutaway coat perfect fits, Puttin' on the Ritz.
Tips his hat just like an English chappie
To a lady with a wealthy pappy (Very snappy)
You'll declare it's simply topping to be there,
And hear them swapping smart tidbits, Puttin' on the Ritz.