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12 Aug 13 - 09:44 PM (#3548390) Subject: Lyr Add: Puttin' On The Ritz (Irving Berlin) From: Q (Frank Staplin) PUTTIN' ON THE RITZ (Irving Berlin, 1929) Have you seen the well-to-do Upon Lennox Avenue On that famous thoroughfare With their noses in the air. High hats and narrow collars White spats and fifteen dollars Spending every dime For a wonderful time. If you're blue And you don't know where to go Why don't you go where Harlem flits Puttin' on the Ritz. Spangled gowns upon the bevy of high browns from down the levy All misfits Puttin' on the Ritz. That's where each and every lulu-belle goes every Thursday evening with her swell beaus Rubbin' elbows. Come with me and we'll attend the jubilee And see them spend Their last two-bits Puttin' on the Ritz. (Boys, look at that man puttin' on the Ritz) (You look at him, I can't) If you're blue And you don't know where to go Why don't you go where Harlem flits Puttin' on the Ritz. Spangled gowns upon the bevy of High browns from down the levy All misfits Puttin' on the Ritz. That's where each and every lulu-belle goes Every Thursday evening 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. Come with me and we'll attend their jubilee And see them spend Their last two bits Puttin' on the Ritz. Sung by Harry Richman and Fred Astaire in 1929. Fred Astaire sang another version as well (to follow). |
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12 Aug 13 - 09:58 PM (#3548396) Subject: ADD Version: Puttin' On The Ritz (Irving Berlin) From: Q (Frank Staplin) PUTTIN' ON THE RITZ (2) (Irving Berlin) Sung by Fred Astaire 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 Arrowed collars, white spats and lots of dollars Spending every dime, for a wonderful time If you're blue and don't know where to go to Why don't you go where fashion sits, Puttin' on the Ritz. Different types who wear a daycoat, pants with stripes and cut-away coat, perfect fits, Puttin' on the Ritz. Dressed up like a million-dollar trouper Trying hard to look like Gary Cooper (super duper) Come let's mix where Rockefeller's walk with sticks Or umbrellas in their mitts 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. |
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13 Aug 13 - 04:50 AM (#3548479) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Puttin' On The Ritz (Irving Berlin) From: Joe Offer Whenever I hear this song, I will think of the Mel Brooks movie, Young Frankenstein. The scene with this song (sung by the monster) was terrific. -Joe- |
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13 Aug 13 - 12:15 PM (#3548621) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Puttin' On The Ritz (Irving Berlin) From: Q (Frank Staplin) lulu-belles- women whose appearance is noteworthy. A New York word, no longer used. |
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15 Aug 13 - 11:16 AM (#3549416) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Puttin' On The Ritz (Irving Berlin) From: Jim Dixon Q: How did you get those lyrics—by transcribing from the sheet music, or from a recording, or...? The reason I ask: I wonder if it should be: "high browns from down the levee" But is there even a levee in New York? I have no idea. Wikipedia tells me The Levee was a former red-light district in Chicago, but the song clearly describes New York. (Or is he talking about Chicagoans visiting New York?) I'm pretty sure there are lots of Levys and Levis in New York, but I don't think that's what is meant! |
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15 Aug 13 - 12:41 PM (#3549450) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Puttin' On The Ritz (Irving Berlin) From: MGM·Lion "A levee, levée (/ˈlɛviː/; French: [ləˈve]), dike (or dyke), embankment, floodbank or stopbank is an elongated naturally occurring ridge or artificially constructed fill or wall, which regulates water levels." wikipedia. There would have been one in any sea or river port: particularly where Mississippi steamboats would put in: whence it is, famously, where it will be great to be waiting by with Kate for the Robert E Lee. (Waiting For The Robert E. Lee is an American popular song composed in 1912 by Lewis F. Muir and L. Wolfe Gilbert. The title refers to the steamboat of that name. ~M~ |
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15 Aug 13 - 02:33 PM (#3549506) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Puttin' On The Ritz (Irving Berlin) From: Q (Frank Staplin) Jim- I used a lyrics site, but here it is from "The Complete Lyrics...." Kimball and Emmet: Sorry, I mis-spelled levee. Spangled gowns upon a bevy Of high browns from down the levee, All misfits,.... Bloomberg proposes levees to protect NYC- news item, 2013 There are levees in New Jersey (North New Jersey esp.). Superstorm Sandy broke a New Jersey levee, damaging three towns. New York also has levees on some rivers. |
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15 Aug 13 - 03:15 PM (#3549520) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Puttin' On The Ritz (Irving Berlin) From: McGrath of Harlow I'd rather suspect it's shorthand for saying they hark back to New Orleans, or perhaps Missisippi. |
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15 Aug 13 - 06:11 PM (#3549580) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Puttin' On The Ritz (Irving Berlin) From: Q (Frank Staplin) McGrath, I suspect so too. Migrations from the south into the northern cities was strong after 1900. |
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15 Aug 13 - 06:43 PM (#3549598) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Puttin' On The Ritz (Irving Berlin) From: Q (Frank Staplin) Urban language- I have found lulu-belles defined as a generic term for Black maids at a couple of discussion sites. No quotes or information given to verify that. |
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15 Aug 13 - 07:50 PM (#3549630) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Puttin' On The Ritz (Irving Berlin) From: GUEST,Gerry Spelling alert --- it's Lenox Avenue, one "n", not two. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lenox_Avenue Also known, since 1987, as Malcolm X Boulevard. |
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16 Aug 13 - 02:02 AM (#3549706) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Puttin' On The Ritz (Irving Berlin) From: GUEST,MorwenEdhelwen1 @Q: Your post interested me, so I googled ''lulu-belle slang'' and ended up on the Free Dictionary site which says a 'lulu' is a slang term for a person or thing considered outstanding- similar to your definition of "lulu-belle." |
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16 Aug 13 - 02:19 AM (#3549710) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Puttin' On The Ritz (Irving Berlin) From: Jim Carroll Best performance ever of this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q89MQiyunxs Jim Carroll |
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16 Aug 13 - 03:07 AM (#3549717) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Puttin' On The Ritz (Irving Berlin) From: Seamus Kennedy Here's another great version, Jim: clicky |
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16 Aug 13 - 05:30 AM (#3549744) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Puttin' On The Ritz (Irving Berlin) From: Jim Carroll Wonderful Seamus Irv must be turning in his gravy! Jim Carroll |
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16 Aug 13 - 06:31 AM (#3549765) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Puttin' On The Ritz (Irving Berlin) From: Will Fly Good old Jeeves and Wooster - brilliant! |