Tea for Two

Tea for Two is the opening track producer Craig Levy and I worked on for my album Come Explore With Me. You can stream Tea for Two on Spotify or listen on YouTube.

About the Song “Tea for Two”

Tea for Two was composed in 1924 by Vincent Youmans, with lyrics by Irving Caesar, for the Broadway musical No, No, Nanette. Its lighthearted, romantic imagery and catchy melody made it an instant hit. Over the decades, it has been recorded by countless artists, including Doris Day, Ella Fitzgerald, Art Tatum, and Blossom Dearie. The song has appeared in film, television, and commercials, maintaining its charm as a signature piece of the Great American Songbook. Its enduring popularity comes from the playful lyric about imagining a cozy life for two, complete with “a boy for you and a girl for me.”

My Connection to “Tea for Two”

I first encountered the song while working through a book of standards I inherited from my late aunt, who was a pianist and lived to the age of 104. The melody and rhythm immediately stood out to me — there’s an almost Latin or bossa nova feel hidden within its structure, and I connected with that groove instantly. When I later heard Doris Day’s impeccable rendition from the 1950 film Tea for Two, I truly fell in love with the song. Her phrasing and lightness set a high bar for how a singer can make this song feel effortless while still full of personality.

Recording My Version

In my initial arrangement, I leaned into my funk background from my work with Japan Soul, starting with a slappier, more percussive bass line. Producer Craig Levy heard the potential for a smoother feel and suggested I mute the bass more heavily. That subtle change gave the track a laid-back sway, allowing the rhythm to breathe and making space for the vocal to sit naturally in the mix.

We didn’t overthink it — in fact, this was the very first finished track for the project, and it set the tone for how the rest of the album would sound. I didn’t give Craig multiple vocal takes to choose from, so what you hear is a single, honest performance. It’s also where I began to hone a more casual, relaxed vocal delivery, one that sits low in my range and avoids unnecessary strain. While I sometimes wonder if that low register translates the way I hope, I think we achieved something that feels genuine and unforced.

Legacy of the Song

Tea for Two has been interpreted in nearly every imaginable style: up-tempo swing, intimate piano ballad, Latin jazz, and even modern pop-infused versions. Jazz pianist Art Tatum famously transformed it into a virtuosic display, while vocalists like Blossom Dearie brought a cool, understated touch. That adaptability is part of its magic — it’s a song that can feel playful, romantic, or quietly reflective depending on how it’s approached.

Related Songs

• Stardust
• Love Me or Leave Me
• Someone to Watch Over Me

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Chords and Lyrics (ChordPro)

Here is the ChordPro format for my studio version of “Tea for Two,” in case you want to play it.

{title:Tea for Two}
{subtitle:Music by Vincent Youmans, Words by Irving Caesar}

[Dm7]Picture [G7]you up- [Dm7]on my [G7]knee, just [Cmaj7]tea for [C6]two and [Cmaj7]two for [C6]tea; Just [Dm7]me for [G7]you and [Dm7]you for [G7]me a- [C]lone[Dm7][Em7][Fm].
[F#m7]Nobody [B7]near us to [F#m7]see us or [B7]hear us, no [Emaj7]friends or re- [E6]lations on [Emaj7]weekend va- [E6]cations; We [F#m7]won't hav it [B7]known, dear, that [F#m7]we own a [B7]tele- [E]phone, [G7]dear.
[Dm7]Day will [G7]break and [Dm7]you'll a- [G7]wake and [Cmaj7]start to [C6]bake a [Cmaj7]sugar [C6]cake for [Dm7]me to [G7]take for [Dm7]all the [G7]boys to [Gm6]see[A7].
[Dm]We will [A7]raise a [Dm]fami- [A7]ly, a boy for [Dm]you, a [Fm]girl for me. Oh, [C]can't you [D#dim]see how [Dm7]happy [G7]we would [C]be[Dm7][D#dim][C]? 

{tag: 1924}
{tag: Vincent Youmans}