Astaire's 1930 version was recorded in London, and includes a couple of lines of spoken dialogue from two actors during the tap dancing portion, which is a unique and mysterious feature - it makes it sound like it is taken from a film soundtrack, but it isn't. "Boys, look at that man puttin' on that Ritz!" "You look at him; I can't."
Interesting thing about Fred Astair's popular recording of the song in 1930. That was three years before his first film. However he was a well-known dancer on Broadway at that time
@@mr.scottpowell I mean, it's not _that_ uncommon for someone to have a hit song, having never been in a movie. Both Mark and Donnie Wahlberg managed it, somehow.
@@Wishbone1977 true. Still from our perspective today he's so strongly associated with his movies, and Ginger Rogers,etc. that to learn he had a hit song before he was even in pictures was kind of a neat surprise, at least it for me.
Herb Alpert and Lani Hall did a great cover of this ten years ago that was used in a fun group routine for that season’s premiere of So You Think You Can Dance that I highly recommend watching.
Fascinating to see the score and understand what Berlin did to get the jazz feel. Brilliant writer. I would have liked a snippet of the modern version you talked about a lot, but I suppose copyright forbade it.
Yeah, I would have liked to include Taco's version but I was worried about copyright. The older versions aren't generally flagged but the more modern ones definitely are.
I'm fascinated by this song, mostly the syncopation, but this is the first time I learned the original was _where _*_Harlem_*_ sits_ rather than *_fashion._* I balk at describing the lyrics as racism rather than commentary on racism. Berlin was a pretty ironic and subversive guy. It seems almost a miracle Berlin wasn't prosecuted under the Espionage and Sedition Acts for "Stay Down Here Where You Belong." He also made the two biggest Christian holidays into ones about snow and hats. I'm betting the lyrics changes were more like when Disney removed the lyric "where they cut off your nose if they don't like your face" in _Aladdin._ Thanks for properly pronouncing _Wodehouse._ Of course it's 4/4, but it has a sort of 5/4 miasma. Compare "The Black Page."
I’ve seen all these before but it’s great to have them in one place. Among the others, there was a really well done animation in the 1970s (I unfortunately can’t recall more information). Closing with Wooster and Jeeves was perfect. Thanks.
A really interesting video and filled with great information, many thanks! I've always thought the 1953 "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" got its melodic and rhythmic flavor from this classic. Certainly the initial melody, a minor chord arpeggio, is the same.
Given the casual acceptance of racism within mid-century America, a more plausible explanation for the 1946 lyric change is simply that the old lyrics would have been almost incomprehensible to a mass market, especially outside of America. For example, in Europe, 'Harlem' (with a different spelling) was almost exclusively viewed as a place in Holland. Many Europeans had never heard of the American Harlem and had no concept of its cultural significance. The incomprehensible lyrics of the original version would have made it much harder to sell the music globally (as with any film associated with it).
Actually, America has always been at the forefront of global movie exports. That's because they developed high quality talking movies before everyone else. But even f Hollywood had been only interested in America, remember that 1946 America was a vastly different place. Few people in places like America's South would understand references to places such as Harlem in New York city. But they understood phrases such as 'putting on the ritz'. @@janepage3608
My goodness. You are so brilliant. This is one of my favorite songs of all time and you devoted so much time to it. Thank you. I would love to discuss this with you. The racist element you bring up is fascinating. I would have never thought of that. But I might offer that this was like a voyeuristic look at a life most people aren't privileged to see - Black Americans kicking up their heels. Thank you for posting your most thoughtful analysis.
My personal favorite version is Cherry Poppin Daddies’ cover of the song in 2016. It’s got that 30s music charm and uses the swing jazz genre to make it that much more catchy. They also weren’t afraid to use the original lyrics.
You can still go up to Harlem and see Black people wearing designer labels on low incomes. My dad was FDNY in the 70s. I remember him coming home after working an overnight shift talking about how on weekends everyone was out on the streets dressed in the latest fashion. Present day, with the Rap culture its the same. I don't understand real life behaviors being said is racist. So tired of the double standard. Black artist can say whatever. Cut the race baiting out.
Yes. 😊 as i understand it was not uncommon to overdub with a cleaner audio track. He could also be lipsinking live but itt would have been a recording of his singing
It's nice that the problematic racial parts were rewritten, but even the new version, as heard in Young Frankenstein, can be triggering for differently-abled individuals.
Astaire's 1930 version was recorded in London, and includes a couple of lines of spoken dialogue from two actors during the tap dancing portion, which is a unique and mysterious feature - it makes it sound like it is taken from a film soundtrack, but it isn't.
"Boys, look at that man puttin' on that Ritz!"
"You look at him; I can't."
Yeah, it's interesting!
Interesting thing about Fred Astair's popular recording of the song in 1930. That was three years before his first film. However he was a well-known dancer on Broadway at that time
As well as a singer and actor.
@@premanadi and a great singer too. It's just surprising to know he had a hit song well before he was even in movies
@@mr.scottpowell I mean, it's not _that_ uncommon for someone to have a hit song, having never been in a movie. Both Mark and Donnie Wahlberg managed it, somehow.
@@Wishbone1977 true. Still from our perspective today he's so strongly associated with his movies, and Ginger Rogers,etc. that to learn he had a hit song before he was even in pictures was kind of a neat surprise, at least it for me.
@@Wishbone1977 But no, not saying that it's unexpected for a singer to turn into a movie star
Great video!! Looking forward to learning about more origipop songs
I love the disgusted look on Bertie's face at the end. Great video, I very much like your channel!
This was so interesting - hope your channel is successful.
Thank you so much!
Herb Alpert and Lani Hall did a great cover of this ten years ago that was used in a fun group routine for that season’s premiere of So You Think You Can Dance that I highly recommend watching.
Thanks, I'll check it out!
The piano in the background is gorgeous!
Thanks, it was my great grandmother's. It's out of tune and needs some restoration work but it makes for a great background!
This was another great video. I've subscribed and I hope your audience builds. I especially liked Bertie Wooster struggling with the rhythm!
Fascinating to see the score and understand what Berlin did to get the jazz feel. Brilliant writer. I would have liked a snippet of the modern version you talked about a lot, but I suppose copyright forbade it.
Yeah, I would have liked to include Taco's version but I was worried about copyright. The older versions aren't generally flagged but the more modern ones definitely are.
Well done informative video of one of my favorite Berlin tunes. All the best.
Bravo bravissimo, Sensational. Beautiful. Thanks
I'm fascinated by this song, mostly the syncopation, but this is the first time I learned the original was _where _*_Harlem_*_ sits_ rather than *_fashion._*
I balk at describing the lyrics as racism rather than commentary on racism. Berlin was a pretty ironic and subversive guy. It seems almost a miracle Berlin wasn't prosecuted under the Espionage and Sedition Acts for "Stay Down Here Where You Belong." He also made the two biggest Christian holidays into ones about snow and hats. I'm betting the lyrics changes were more like when Disney removed the lyric "where they cut off your nose if they don't like your face" in _Aladdin._
Thanks for properly pronouncing _Wodehouse._ Of course it's 4/4, but it has a sort of 5/4 miasma. Compare "The Black Page."
Thank you for going through the lyrics piece by piece and explaining the backgrounds of the single phrases.
Thank you for an in depth explanation of what to me is one of the great songs of the 20th century.
This is a good video. I loved all of the details you pointed out. I love this song in all of its forms. Such a great story.
Wonderful
I’ve seen all these before but it’s great to have them in one place. Among the others, there was a really well done animation in the 1970s (I unfortunately can’t recall more information). Closing with Wooster and Jeeves was perfect. Thanks.
I came here from your Jeeves and Wooster music review - that series was so great. Really enjoying the channel thank you!
Glad you're enjoying it! Thanks!
Entertaining and enlightening. Thank you!
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!
Very thorough research.
Very interesting! Great video! Just subscribed.
Awesome, thank you!
A really interesting video and filled with great information, many thanks! I've always thought the 1953 "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" got its melodic and rhythmic flavor from this classic. Certainly the initial melody, a minor chord arpeggio, is the same.
Glad you liked it, thanks! And you're right, there are some similarities between those songs. I hadn't made that connection before!
1953? You mean 1991.
Glad I clicked on this, will be checking out your other vids ....
Glad you liked it! Thank you!
Given the casual acceptance of racism within mid-century America, a more plausible explanation for the 1946 lyric change is simply that the old lyrics would have been almost incomprehensible to a mass market, especially outside of America. For example, in Europe, 'Harlem' (with a different spelling) was almost exclusively viewed as a place in Holland. Many Europeans had never heard of the American Harlem and had no concept of its cultural significance. The incomprehensible lyrics of the original version would have made it much harder to sell the music globally (as with any film associated with it).
Not sure about that. For most Americans, the only market they care - or know - about is America.
Actually, America has always been at the forefront of global movie exports. That's because they developed high quality talking movies before everyone else. But even f Hollywood had been only interested in America, remember that 1946 America was a vastly different place. Few people in places like America's South would understand references to places such as Harlem in New York city. But they understood phrases such as 'putting on the ritz'. @@janepage3608
My goodness. You are so brilliant. This is one of my favorite songs of all time and you devoted so much time to it. Thank you. I would love to discuss this with you. The racist element you bring up is fascinating. I would have never thought of that. But I might offer that this was like a voyeuristic look at a life most people aren't privileged to see - Black Americans kicking up their heels. Thank you for posting your most thoughtful analysis.
My personal favorite version is Cherry Poppin Daddies’ cover of the song in 2016. It’s got that 30s music charm and uses the swing jazz genre to make it that much more catchy. They also weren’t afraid to use the original lyrics.
Really nice!
Thanks!
Who are you? Thank you for this incredible carefully researched post.
All this time I figured it was laughing at the rich folk…much more appropriate!
Fantastic video. You have a new subscriber.
Thanks and welcome!
Yo, Clark Gable was doing the Heel Toe!
4:46 So that's where Rhett Butler went after leaving Scarlett.
😂
Aside from Young Frankenstein, there's an animation cover version that I'm rather fond of
gerry wilson one of my favorite songs
Is the piano behind you a Wegman Piano Co AuburnN.Y.
It's an Emerson from 1905. It belonged to my great-grandmother and is beautiful but needs some restoration work.
You can still go up to Harlem and see Black people wearing designer labels on low incomes. My dad was FDNY in the 70s. I remember him coming home after working an overnight shift talking about how on weekends everyone was out on the streets dressed in the latest fashion.
Present day, with the Rap culture its the same. I don't understand real life behaviors being said is racist. So tired of the double standard. Black artist can say whatever.
Cut the race baiting out.
Is that tacos real voice or is he lip singing?
Yes. 😊 as i understand it was not uncommon to overdub with a cleaner audio track. He could also be lipsinking live but itt would have been a recording of his singing
I can see why Clark Gable didn't become a big time musical actor lol
Yeah, he was not good...
Better than Rex Harrison!
I think it’s worth pointing out that if Hugh Laurie isn’t actually playing in that clip, he’s absolutely more than capable of doing so.
Good point; he's a very skilled pianist. My guess is he's actually playing it but intentionally messing up!
Shows how tastes and mores have changed--for the better!
This is a very social-conscious song.
The original lyrics are a glimpse into the past, a past that we are working hard to erase, for good or ill.
It's nice that the problematic racial parts were rewritten, but even the new version, as heard in Young Frankenstein, can be triggering for differently-abled individuals.
Nearly all humor contains "triggering" material for those inclined to be triggered.
Wonderful