I Never Met a Wolf Who Didn't Love to Howl is an original song first featured in The Cost of Art, the fourth episode of the first season of Smash. It was written by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.
Background[]
The version released as a single features Megan Hilty (Ivy Lynn) on lead with additional vocals from Debra Messing (Julia Houston), Jaime Cepero (Ellis Tancharoen), Will Chase (Michael Swift), and Nick Jonas (Lyle West). Unlike most original songs, the number has two lyrically different versions. In the original, Ivy enlists the help of four colleagues to sing the number at Lyle West's birthday party. The second version is sung by Karen during rehearsals for Bombshell's Boston season. Karen's version was not released as a single.
The number earned Smash choreographer Joshua Bergasse a 2012 Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Choreography.
Use in Bombshell[]
In the context of Bombshell, the number occurs while Joe & Marilyn are honeymooning in Japan. Marilyn is asked to perform for the troops in Korea. Joe sees firsthand how men react to her and how she loves it. It was written by Tom Levitt and Julia Houston and was first performed at Lyle West's birthday party by Ivy Lynn and was also performed at the Boston previews with Karen Cartwright as Marilyn Monroe.
Lyrics (The Cost of Art Version)[]
Ivy:
When you are born with sex appeal
In a forest called Hollywood
You'll find more wolves at your back door
Than that Little Red Riding Hood
Now she and her little old grandma
Could have learned from the men I've dated
That a wolf can be quite a devotee
Ivy and Julia:
Once he's domesticated!
Ivy:
Here's a lesson they should teach in school
When a girl gets curvy, and the boys all drool
If math and science just ain't your style
Just give that teacher a wink and a smile
For a passing grade, you won't have to wait
And you can thank him later when you graduate
'Cause I never met a wolf who didn't love to howl
Julia, Michael, and Ellis with Company:
Howwwl!
Ivy:
No, I never met a man who wasn't on the prowl
Julia, Michael, and Ellis with Company:
Shimmy, shimmy, oh, gimme, gimme!
Ivy:
If a nice diploma you wanna get
Well, then, make that teacher the student's pet
Yeah, I never met a wolf who didn't love to howl!
You never know where a wolf might crouch
But his natural habitat's the casting couch
So take lots of pictures of the wildlife
To tell the wolf you could share with his wife
The hunter gets captured by the game
Then Leo The Lion will be roaring your name
Yeah, I never met a wolf who didn't love to howl!
Julia, Michael, and Ellis with Company:
Howwwl!
Ivy:
No, I never met a man who wasn't on the prowl
Julia, Michael, and Ellis with Company:
Shimmy, shimmy, oh, gimme, gimme!
Ivy:
If your face and figure are whistle bait
Honey, you'll have the keys to the studio gate
Yeah, I never met a wolf who didn't love to howl!
Julia, Michael, and Ellis with Company:
The three little piggies sure had it wrong
When the wolf came-a-knockin' in that old song
Ivy:
If he's huffin' and puffin' sayin' "Marilyn, I gotcha!"
I say "Come on in" and I put on Sinatra!
Ivy with Company:
Oh, Frankie!
Ivy:
A wealthy wolf likes to buy his toys
But he really is just one of the boys
If you've got something for which he's cravin'
It sure is good that he's been savin'
Be a fan, give his cheek a peck
But get his autograph on a cashier's check
Ivy with Company:
Yeah, I never met a wolf who didn't love to howl!
Julia, Michael, and Ellis with Company:
Howwwl!
Ivy with Company:
No, I never met a man who wasn't on the prowl
Julia, Michael, and Ellis with Company:
Shimmy, shimmy, oh, gimme, gimme!
Ivy:
Even if that wolf's just a grey old goat (Lyle: What?)
He still will make a nice fur coat (Lyle: Yeah!)
Ivy with Company:
Yeah, I never met a wolf who didn't love to howl!
Ivy:
Go, baby, go!
Ivy with Company:
Yeah, I never met a wolf who didn't love to howl!
Julia, Michael, and Ellis with Company:
Howwwl!
Ivy with Company:
No, I never met a man who wasn't on the prowl
Julia, Michael, and Ellis with Company:
Shimmy, shimmy, oh, gimme, gimme!
Ivy:
This wolf looks like he's ready to dine
Lyle:
Tell me, where can I sign on the dotted line?
Ivy with Company:
Yeah, I never met a wolf who didn't love to howl!
Ivy:
Oh, yeah!
Ivy's rendition of the number at Lyle's party
Lyrics (Bombshell Version)[]
Marilyn:
Here's a lesson they should teach in school
When a girl gets curvy, and the boys all drool
If math and science just ain't your style
Just give that teacher a wink and a smile
For a passing grade, you won't have to wait
And you can thank him later when you graduate
'Cause I never met a wolf who didn't love to howl!
United States Troops:
Howwwl!
Marilyn:
No, I never met a man who wasn't on the prowl
United States Troops:
Shimmy, shimmy, oh, gimme, gimme!
Marilyn:
If a nice diploma you wanna get
Well, then, make that teacher the student's pet
Yeah, I never met a wolf who didn't love to howl!
You never know where a wolf might crouch
But his natural habitat's the casting couch
So take lots of pictures of the wildlife
To tell the wolf you could share with this wife
The hunter gets captured by the game
Then Leo the lion will be roaring your name!
Yeah, I never met a wolf who didn't love to howl!
United States Troops:
Howwwl!
Marilyn:
No, I never met a man who wasn't on the prowl
United States Troops:
Shimmy, shimmy, oh, gimme, gimme!
Marilyn:
If your face and figure are whistle bait
Then honey, you'll have the keys to the studio gate
Yeah, I never met a wolf who didn't love to howl!
United States Troops:
The three little piggies sure had it wrong
When the wolf came-a-knockin' with that old song
Marilyn:
He was huffin' and puffin' sayin' "Marilyn, I gotcha!"
I say "Come on in" and I put on Sinatra!
The enemy wolves are just like boys
They use the big artillery like playground toys
But when they see my ammunition in all its splendor
I'll easily negotiate complete surrender
'Cause the medals on my chest will make them weak in the knees
And I promise I won't rest until we're all at ease
Marilyn with United States Troops:
Yeah, I never met a wolf who didn't love to howl!
United States Troops:
Howwwl!
Marilyn with United States Troops:
No, I never met a man who wasn't on the prowl
United States Troops:
Shimmy, shimmy, oh, gimme, gimme!
Marilyn:
'Cause a boy with a gun thinks it's fun to shoot
And that's a real big twenty-one gun salute
Marilyn with United States Troops:
Yeah, I never met a wolf who didn't love to howl!
Marilyn:
Come and get me, boys!
Marilyn with United States Troops:
Yeah, I never met a wolf who didn't love to howl!
United States Troops:
Howwwl!
Marilyn with United States Troops:
No, I never met a man who wasn't on the prowl
United States Troops:
Shimmy, shimmy, oh, gimme, gimme!
Marilyn:
Seeing all you G.I. Wolves gives me an idea
Tell Hollywood that I'm staying in Korea
Marilyn with United States Troops:
I never met a wolf who didn't love to howl!
Marilyn:
Oh, yeah!
Later Reprisals[]
- Karen Cartwright as Marilyn Monroe (Bombshell)
- Ivy's performance from The Cost of Art is edited together with this one.
Videos[]
Smash - I Never Met A Wolf Who Didn't Love to Howl HD
Smash ~ I Never Met a Wolf That Didn't Love to Howl ~ Katharine Mcphee
Karen's rendition as Marilyn Monroe