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Puttin' On the Ritz

February 06, 2023

For other uses, see Puttin' On the Ritz (disambiguation).

"Puttin' On the Ritz" is a song written by Irving Berlin. He wrote it in May 1927 and first published it on December 2, 1929.[1] It was registered as an unpublished song August 24, 1927 and again on July 27, 1928.[1] It was introduced by Harry Richman and chorus in the musical film Puttin' On the Ritz (1930). According to The Complete Lyrics of Irving Berlin, this was the first song in film to be sung by an interracial ensemble.[1] The title derives from the slang expression "to put on the Ritz", meaning to dress very fashionably. This expression was in turn inspired by the opulent Ritz Hotel in London.

US sheet music (c. 1930)

Hit phonograph records of the tune in its original period of popularity of 1929–1930 were recorded by Harry Richman and by Fred Astaire, with whom the song is particularly associated. Every other record label had their own version of this popular song (Columbia, Brunswick, Victor, and all of the dime store labels). Richman's Brunswick version of the song became the number-one selling record in America.[1]

The song received renewed popularity in 1982 when Taco, a Dutch musician, recorded and released a new version of the song. Taco's version was accompanied by a music video, which aired on MTV and other music video networks and programs.

Kenny Yarbrough also recorded a cover of the song; this version was used as theme music for the short-lived 1991 sitcom Top of the Heap.

Musical structure

The song is in AABA form, with a verse.[2] According to John Mueller, the central device in the A section is the "use of delayed rhythmic resolution: a staggering, off-balance passage, emphasized by the unorthodox stresses in the lyric, suddenly resolves satisfyingly on a held note, followed by the forceful assertion of the title phrase." The marchlike B section, which is only barely syncopated, acts as a contrast to the previous rhythmic complexities.[2] According to Alec Wilder, in his study of American popular song, for him, the rhythmic pattern in "Puttin' On the Ritz" is "the most complex and provocative I have ever come upon."[2]

Lyrics

 
Clark Gable performs "Puttin' On the Ritz" in Idiot's Delight (1939)

The original version of Berlin's song included references to the then-popular fad of flashily dressed but poor black Harlemites parading up and down Lenox Avenue, "Spending ev'ry dime / For a wonderful time". In the United Kingdom, the song was popularized through the BBC's radio broadcasts of Joe Kaye's Band performing it at The Ritz Hotel, London restaurant in the 1930s.[3] The song was featured with the original lyrics in the 1939 film Idiot's Delight, where it was performed by Clark Gable and chorus, and this routine was selected for inclusion in That's Entertainment (1974). Columbia released a 78 recording of Fred Astaire singing the original lyrics in May 1930[4] (B-side – "Crazy Feet", both recorded on March 26, 1930). For the film Blue Skies (1946), where it was performed by Fred Astaire, Berlin revised the lyrics to apply to affluent whites strutting "up and down Park Avenue".[1][A] This second version was published after being registered for copyright on August 28, 1946.[1]

Taco version

"Puttin' On the Ritz"
 
One of variants of the international picture sleeve
Single by Taco
from the album After Eight
B-side"Livin' in My Dream World"
Released1982
GenreSynth-pop,[5] new wave
Length
  • 4:41 (album version)
  • 3:22 (7-inch version)
  • 6:08 (extended 12-inch version)
LabelRCA
Songwriter(s)Irving Berlin
Producer(s)David Parker
Taco singles chronology
"Cheek to Cheek"
(1982) 		"Puttin' On the Ritz"
(1982) 		"Singin' in the Rain"
(1982)
Music video
"Puttin' On the Ritz" (ZDF Silvester-Tanzparty, 1983) on YouTube

In 1982, singer Taco released a synth-pop cover version of "Puttin' On the Ritz" as a single from his album After Eight, released in Europe on Polydor and by RCA in the US. The single was accompanied by a music video, the original version of which contains characters in blackface and has since been banned from many networks.[6] An alternative version eliminates many shots of the blackface characters, though some remain.

The cover also musically references other Irving Berlin songs, such as "Always," "There's No Business Like Show Business," "Alexander's Ragtime Band," and "White Christmas." "Broadway Rhythm" from Broadway Melody of 1936 is also referenced.

The single was a global hit, reaching No. 1 on Cash Box[7] as well as No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart,[8] making Irving Berlin, then 95, the oldest ever living songwriter to have one of his compositions enter the top ten.[9] It was certified gold by the RIAA for selling over one million copies.[10] It was Taco's only hit in the United States.[5] This version of the song was ranked No. 53 in VH1's 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of the 80s special.[11]

The song topped the charts in Sweden and New Zealand, and entered the top 5 in numerous countries including Australia, Norway, Austria, and Canada.[12][13][14][15]

Chart history

Weekly singles charts

Chart (1982–1983) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[12] 5
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[16] 3
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[13] 13
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[17] 1
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[14] 2
Canada (The Record)[15] 4
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[18] 1
France (IFOP)[19] 74
Germany (Official German Charts)[20] 20
Ireland (IRMA)[21] 24
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[22] 12
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[23] 18
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[24] 1
Norway (VG-lista)[25] 2
South Africa (Springbok Radio)[26] 3
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[27] 1
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[28] 6
US Billboard Adult Contemporary[8] 12
US Billboard Hot 100[8] 4
US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play[8] 37
US Cash Box[7] 1

Year-end charts

Chart (1983) Rank
Australia (Kent Music Report)[29][30] 34
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[31] 14
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[32] 22
South Africa (Springbok Radio)[33] 16
US Billboard Hot 100[34] 31
US Cash Box[35] 19

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[36] Platinum 100,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[37] Platinum 20,000*
United States (RIAA)[38] Gold 1,000,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

References

Notes

  1. ^ "In the original version it told of the ritzy airs of Harlemites parading up and down Lenox Avenue. For the 1946 film, the strutters became well-to-do whites on Park Avenue. The patronizing, yet admiring, satire of the song is shifted, then, and mellowed in the process. The change may have had to do with a growing awareness that stereotypical portrayal of minorities is offensive."[2]

Citations

  1. ^ a b c d e f Kimball & Emmet 2001, p. 262.
  2. ^ a b c d Mueller 1986, p. 267.
  3. ^ Montgomery-Massingberd, Watkin & Collie, p. 97.
  4. ^ "Puttin' On the Ritz / Crazy Feet". Rate Your Music. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  5. ^ a b Ankeny, Jason. "Taco – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  6. ^ Koelling, Matt (October 10, 2016). "The Five Spot: Five Hit Music Videos from the 80's That Wouldn't Fly Today". Something in the Wudder. Retrieved September 27, 2019.
  7. ^ a b . Cash Box. Archived from the original on September 13, 2012.
  8. ^ a b c d "Taco – Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  9. ^ "Irving Berlin". Russian Heritage Museum. Retrieved May 10, 2016.
  10. ^ "RIAA – Gold & Platinum Searchable Database – Puttin' On the Ritz". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  11. ^ . VH1. April 1, 2009. Archived from the original on August 6, 2009.
  12. ^ a b . Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on October 20, 2013. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  13. ^ a b "Taco – Puttin' On The Ritz" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  14. ^ a b "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6252." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  15. ^ a b Lwin, Nanda (1999). Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide. Music Data Canada. ISBN 1-896594-13-1.
  16. ^ "Taco – Puttin' On The Ritz" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  17. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 6308." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  18. ^ Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Taco". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 253. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
  19. ^ "Le Détail par Artiste". InfoDisc (in French). Select "Taco" from the artist drop-down menu. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  20. ^ "Taco – Puttin' On The Ritz" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  21. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Taco". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  22. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 16, 1983" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  23. ^ "Taco – Puttin' On The Ritz" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  24. ^ "Taco – Puttin' On The Ritz". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  25. ^ "Taco – Puttin' On The Ritz". VG-lista. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  26. ^ "South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (T)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  27. ^ "Taco – Puttin' On The Ritz". Singles Top 100. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  28. ^ "Taco – Puttin' On The Ritz". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  29. ^ "Kent Music Report – National Top 100 Singles for 1983". Kent Music Report. Retrieved January 22, 2023 – via Imgur.com.
  30. ^ . Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  31. ^ "The Top Singles of 1983". RPM. Vol. 39, no. 17. 24 December 1983. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  32. ^ "End of Year Charts 1983". Recorded Music New Zealand. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  33. ^ "Top 20 Hit Singles of 1983". Rock.co.za. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  34. ^ "Top 100 Hits for 1983". The Longbored Surfer. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  35. ^ . Cash Box. Archived from the original on September 11, 2012.
  36. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Taco – Puttin' On the Ritz". Music Canada.
  37. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Taco – Putting On the Ritz". Recorded Music NZ.
  38. ^ "American single certifications – Taco – Puttin' On the Ritz". Recording Industry Association of America.

Bibliography

  • Kimball, Robert; Emmet, Linda, eds. (2001). The Complete Lyrics of Irving Berlin. Knopf. ISBN 0679419438.
  • Montgomery-Massingberd, Hugh; Watkin, David; Collie, Keith (1980). The London Ritz: a social and architectural history. Aurum. ISBN 978-0-906053-01-0.
  • Mueller, John (1986). Astaire Dancing – The Musical Films. London: Hamish Hamilton. ISBN 0-241-11749-6.

February 06, 2023
puttin, ritz, other, uses, disambiguation, song, written, irving, berlin, wrote, 1927, first, published, december, 1929, registered, unpublished, song, august, 1927, again, july, 1928, introduced, harry, richman, chorus, musical, film, 1930, according, complet. For other uses see Puttin On the Ritz disambiguation Puttin On the Ritz is a song written by Irving Berlin He wrote it in May 1927 and first published it on December 2 1929 1 It was registered as an unpublished song August 24 1927 and again on July 27 1928 1 It was introduced by Harry Richman and chorus in the musical film Puttin On the Ritz 1930 According to The Complete Lyrics of Irving Berlin this was the first song in film to be sung by an interracial ensemble 1 The title derives from the slang expression to put on the Ritz meaning to dress very fashionably This expression was in turn inspired by the opulent Ritz Hotel in London US sheet music c 1930 Hit phonograph records of the tune in its original period of popularity of 1929 1930 were recorded by Harry Richman and by Fred Astaire with whom the song is particularly associated Every other record label had their own version of this popular song Columbia Brunswick Victor and all of the dime store labels Richman s Brunswick version of the song became the number one selling record in America 1 The song received renewed popularity in 1982 when Taco a Dutch musician recorded and released a new version of the song Taco s version was accompanied by a music video which aired on MTV and other music video networks and programs Kenny Yarbrough also recorded a cover of the song this version was used as theme music for the short lived 1991 sitcom Top of the Heap Contents 1 Musical structure 2 Lyrics 3 Taco version 3 1 Chart history 3 1 1 Weekly singles charts 3 1 2 Year end charts 3 1 3 Certifications 4 See also 5 References 5 1 Notes 5 2 Citations 5 3 BibliographyMusical structure EditThe song is in AABA form with a verse 2 According to John Mueller the central device in the A section is the use of delayed rhythmic resolution a staggering off balance passage emphasized by the unorthodox stresses in the lyric suddenly resolves satisfyingly on a held note followed by the forceful assertion of the title phrase The marchlike B section which is only barely syncopated acts as a contrast to the previous rhythmic complexities 2 According to Alec Wilder in his study of American popular song for him the rhythmic pattern in Puttin On the Ritz is the most complex and provocative I have ever come upon 2 Lyrics Edit Clark Gable performs Puttin On the Ritz in Idiot s Delight 1939 The original version of Berlin s song included references to the then popular fad of flashily dressed but poor black Harlemites parading up and down Lenox Avenue Spending ev ry dime For a wonderful time In the United Kingdom the song was popularized through the BBC s radio broadcasts of Joe Kaye s Band performing it at The Ritz Hotel London restaurant in the 1930s 3 The song was featured with the original lyrics in the 1939 film Idiot s Delight where it was performed by Clark Gable and chorus and this routine was selected for inclusion in That s Entertainment 1974 Columbia released a 78 recording of Fred Astaire singing the original lyrics in May 1930 4 B side Crazy Feet both recorded on March 26 1930 For the film Blue Skies 1946 where it was performed by Fred Astaire Berlin revised the lyrics to apply to affluent whites strutting up and down Park Avenue 1 A This second version was published after being registered for copyright on August 28 1946 1 Taco version Edit Puttin On the Ritz One of variants of the international picture sleeveSingle by Tacofrom the album After EightB side Livin in My Dream World Released1982GenreSynth pop 5 new waveLength4 41 album version 3 22 7 inch version 6 08 extended 12 inch version LabelRCASongwriter s Irving BerlinProducer s David ParkerTaco singles chronology Cheek to Cheek 1982 Puttin On the Ritz 1982 Singin in the Rain 1982 Music video Puttin On the Ritz ZDF Silvester Tanzparty 1983 on YouTubeIn 1982 singer Taco released a synth pop cover version of Puttin On the Ritz as a single from his album After Eight released in Europe on Polydor and by RCA in the US The single was accompanied by a music video the original version of which contains characters in blackface and has since been banned from many networks 6 An alternative version eliminates many shots of the blackface characters though some remain The cover also musically references other Irving Berlin songs such as Always There s No Business Like Show Business Alexander s Ragtime Band and White Christmas Broadway Rhythm from Broadway Melody of 1936 is also referenced The single was a global hit reaching No 1 on Cash Box 7 as well as No 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart 8 making Irving Berlin then 95 the oldest ever living songwriter to have one of his compositions enter the top ten 9 It was certified gold by the RIAA for selling over one million copies 10 It was Taco s only hit in the United States 5 This version of the song was ranked No 53 in VH1 s 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of the 80s special 11 The song topped the charts in Sweden and New Zealand and entered the top 5 in numerous countries including Australia Norway Austria and Canada 12 13 14 15 Chart history Edit Weekly singles charts Edit Chart 1982 1983 PeakpositionAustralia Kent Music Report 12 5Austria O3 Austria Top 40 16 3Belgium Ultratop 50 Flanders 13 13Canada Adult Contemporary RPM 17 1Canada Top Singles RPM 14 2Canada The Record 15 4Finland Suomen virallinen lista 18 1France IFOP 19 74Germany Official German Charts 20 20Ireland IRMA 21 24Netherlands Dutch Top 40 22 12Netherlands Single Top 100 23 18New Zealand Recorded Music NZ 24 1Norway VG lista 25 2South Africa Springbok Radio 26 3Sweden Sverigetopplistan 27 1Switzerland Schweizer Hitparade 28 6US Billboard Adult Contemporary 8 12US Billboard Hot 100 8 4US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play 8 37US Cash Box 7 1Year end charts Edit Chart 1983 RankAustralia Kent Music Report 29 30 34Canada Top Singles RPM 31 14New Zealand Recorded Music NZ 32 22South Africa Springbok Radio 33 16US Billboard Hot 100 34 31US Cash Box 35 19 Certifications Edit Region Certification Certified units salesCanada Music Canada 36 Platinum 100 000 New Zealand RMNZ 37 Platinum 20 000 United States RIAA 38 Gold 1 000 000 Sales figures based on certification alone Shipments figures based on certification alone See also EditPuttin On the Ritz a 1930 musical film directed by Edward Sloman featuring the song Young Frankenstein a 1974 American comedy horror film directed by Mel Brooks in which the song becomes the basis of a musical dance number featuring Frederick Frankenstein and the MonsterReferences EditNotes Edit In the original version it told of the ritzy airs of Harlemites parading up and down Lenox Avenue For the 1946 film the strutters became well to do whites on Park Avenue The patronizing yet admiring satire of the song is shifted then and mellowed in the process The change may have had to do with a growing awareness that stereotypical portrayal of minorities is offensive 2 Citations Edit a b c d e f Kimball amp Emmet 2001 p 262 a b c d Mueller 1986 p 267 Montgomery Massingberd Watkin amp Collie p 97 sfn error no target CITEREFMontgomery MassingberdWatkinCollie help Puttin On the Ritz Crazy Feet Rate Your Music Retrieved May 8 2016 a b Ankeny Jason Taco Artist Biography AllMusic Retrieved May 8 2016 Koelling Matt October 10 2016 The Five Spot Five Hit Music Videos from the 80 s That Wouldn t Fly Today Something in the Wudder Retrieved September 27 2019 a b CASH BOX Top 100 Singles Week ending SEPTEMBER 17 1983 Cash Box Archived from the original on September 13 2012 a b c d Taco Awards AllMusic Retrieved May 8 2016 Irving Berlin Russian Heritage Museum Retrieved May 10 2016 RIAA Gold amp Platinum Searchable Database Puttin On the Ritz Recording Industry Association of America Retrieved May 8 2016 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of the 80s Read the List VH1 April 1 2009 Archived from the original on August 6 2009 a b Forum ARIA Charts Special Occasion Charts CHART POSITIONS PRE 1989 Australian charts com Hung Medien Archived from the original on October 20 2013 Retrieved May 8 2016 a b Taco Puttin On The Ritz in Dutch Ultratop 50 Retrieved May 8 2016 a b Top RPM Singles Issue 6252 RPM Library and Archives Canada Retrieved May 8 2016 a b Lwin Nanda 1999 Top 40 Hits The Essential Chart Guide Music Data Canada ISBN 1 896594 13 1 Taco Puttin On The Ritz in German O3 Austria Top 40 Retrieved May 8 2016 Top RPM Adult Contemporary Issue 6308 RPM Library and Archives Canada Retrieved May 8 2016 Pennanen Timo 2021 Taco Sisaltaa hitin 2 laitos Levyt ja esittajat Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1 1 1960 30 6 2021 PDF Helsinki Kustannusosakeyhtio Otava p 253 Retrieved June 18 2022 Le Detail par Artiste InfoDisc in French Select Taco from the artist drop down menu Retrieved May 8 2016 Taco Puttin On The Ritz in German GfK Entertainment charts Retrieved May 8 2016 The Irish Charts Search Results Taco Irish Singles Chart Retrieved May 8 2016 Nederlandse Top 40 week 16 1983 in Dutch Dutch Top 40 Retrieved May 8 2016 Taco Puttin On The Ritz in Dutch Single Top 100 Retrieved May 8 2016 Taco Puttin On The Ritz Top 40 Singles Retrieved May 8 2016 Taco Puttin On The Ritz VG lista Retrieved May 8 2016 South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 1989 Acts T Rock co za Retrieved May 8 2016 Taco Puttin On The Ritz Singles Top 100 Retrieved May 8 2016 Taco Puttin On The Ritz Swiss Singles Chart Retrieved May 8 2016 Kent Music Report National Top 100 Singles for 1983 Kent Music Report Retrieved January 22 2023 via Imgur com Forum ARIA Charts Special Occasion Charts Top 100 End of Year AMR Charts 1980s Australian charts com Hung Medien Archived from the original on October 6 2014 Retrieved May 8 2016 The Top Singles of 1983 RPM Vol 39 no 17 24 December 1983 Retrieved May 8 2016 End of Year Charts 1983 Recorded Music New Zealand Retrieved May 8 2016 Top 20 Hit Singles of 1983 Rock co za Retrieved May 8 2016 Top 100 Hits for 1983 The Longbored Surfer Retrieved May 8 2016 The CASH BOX Year End Charts 1983 Cash Box Archived from the original on September 11 2012 Canadian single certifications Taco Puttin On the Ritz Music Canada New Zealand single certifications Taco Putting On the Ritz Recorded Music NZ American single certifications Taco Puttin On the Ritz Recording Industry Association of America Bibliography Edit Kimball Robert Emmet Linda eds 2001 The Complete Lyrics of Irving Berlin Knopf ISBN 0679419438 Montgomery Massingberd Hugh Watkin David Collie Keith 1980 The London Ritz a social and architectural history Aurum ISBN 978 0 906053 01 0 Mueller John 1986 Astaire Dancing The Musical Films London Hamish Hamilton ISBN 0 241 11749 6 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Puttin 27 On the Ritz amp oldid 1134989139, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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