Wow, I am surprised I haven't found you sooner! I am a music historian who specialises in American pop music from the early 20th century. I love what you do keep going! You're a treat to the academics who do not have the ability to recreate the energy as much as you can haha
Another fine performance of another tremendously clever song, but you did the revised version that Porter was compelled to write because of years of pressure to clean up what many considered to be ethnic slurs in the first refrain. If you want to hear what he originally wrote and published-and what was performed for quite a while-here's a good video: ua-cam.com/video/EyPAd83B6kg/v-deo.html. There was a method to Porter's madness. The original song was divided into five thematic sections of refrains. The first dealt with human ethnic groups, the second with birds, the third with marine life, the fourth insects, and the fifth non-human mammals. The revision screwed this up a bit, adding a generic reference to birds and moving bees and fleas out of their thematic sequence in order to replace the ethnic slurs in the first refrain with something acceptable. The song was controversial in its time, since “Let’s do it, let’s fall in love” is a rather unsubtle euphemism for sexual intercourse, as supported by the many clever allusions in the lyrics. Porter throughout his career frequently clashed with censors over his suggestive, sexually charged lyrics. A couple more clever but rarely heard Cole Porter songs for you to consider performing: "Love Me, Love My Pekinese"-from "Born to Dance" (1936) [ua-cam.com/video/FtfAGRamJt4/v-deo.html]-Virginia Bruce "Make a Date with a Great Psychoanalyst"-from "Let's Face It" (1941) (but not used) [ua-cam.com/video/SNj-MENj7lY/v-deo.html]-Paulina Stark Keep up the good work.
Thank you, and thanks for the links to the other performances! I wish there was an alternate lyric by Porter himself that preserved the nationalities theme.
Wow, I am surprised I haven't found you sooner! I am a music historian who specialises in American pop music from the early 20th century. I love what you do keep going! You're a treat to the academics who do not have the ability to recreate the energy as much as you can haha
The voice range! Great to watch too.
What a gorgeous voice! And self-accompanied too!!
Thanks, and thanks for listening!
I love that song.
Thank you! It's a great one! I love the choruses with the different animals.
great cover Broadway versions is the best
Thank you, Jackson! I am glad you enjoyed my version!
Genia!
Thank you, and thanks for listening!
Another fine performance of another tremendously clever song, but you did the revised version that Porter was compelled to write because of years of pressure to clean up what many considered to be ethnic slurs in the first refrain. If you want to hear what he originally wrote and published-and what was performed for quite a while-here's a good video: ua-cam.com/video/EyPAd83B6kg/v-deo.html.
There was a method to Porter's madness. The original song was divided into five thematic sections of refrains. The first dealt with human ethnic groups, the second with birds, the third with marine life, the fourth insects, and the fifth non-human mammals. The revision screwed this up a bit, adding a generic reference to birds and moving bees and fleas out of their thematic sequence in order to replace the ethnic slurs in the first refrain with something acceptable.
The song was controversial in its time, since “Let’s do it, let’s fall in love” is a rather unsubtle euphemism for sexual intercourse, as supported by the many clever allusions in the lyrics. Porter throughout his career frequently clashed with censors over his suggestive, sexually charged lyrics.
A couple more clever but rarely heard Cole Porter songs for you to consider performing:
"Love Me, Love My Pekinese"-from "Born to Dance" (1936)
[ua-cam.com/video/FtfAGRamJt4/v-deo.html]-Virginia Bruce
"Make a Date with a Great Psychoanalyst"-from "Let's Face It" (1941) (but not used)
[ua-cam.com/video/SNj-MENj7lY/v-deo.html]-Paulina Stark
Keep up the good work.
Thank you, and thanks for the links to the other performances! I wish there was an alternate lyric by Porter himself that preserved the nationalities theme.