Couple of Swells

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Fred Astaire

About Couple of Swells

"We're a Couple of Swells" is an American comedy duet song performed by Judy Garland and Fred Astaire in the film Easter Parade (1948). It was written by Irving Berlin. Berlin originally wrote the song Let's Take an Old-Fashioned Walk for the scene but the film's producer, Arthur Freed, convinced Berlin to change this for a song that would highlight Garland's comedic talent. Berlin wrote the song in about an hour drawing on his experience as a Tin Pan Alley popular songwriter.  


Year:
1992
178 
#2

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Fred Astaire

Fred Astaire (born Frederick Austerlitz; May 10, 1899 – June 22, 1987) was an American film and Broadway stage dancer, choreographer, singer, musician and actor. His stage and subsequent film career spanned a total of 76 years, during which he made 31 musical films. He was named the fifth Greatest Male Star of All Time by the American Film Institute. He is particularly associated with Ginger Rogers, with whom he made ten films. more »

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12 facts about this song

Song Background
"Couple of Swells" is a song performed by American actors and dancers Fred Astaire and Judy Garland.
Movie Fame
The song appears in the 1948 musical film "Easter Parade," directed by Charles Walters and distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
Notable Performers
"Couple of Swells" was memorably performed by dance legends Fred Astaire and Judy Garland, two of the most significant figures in the Hollywood golden era.
Song Composer
The song was composed by Irving Berlin, a leading figure in American music who composed scores of songs for Broadway and Hollywood.
Depictive Scene
In "Easter Parade," the song accompanies a scene where Astaire and Garland's characters dress as tramps and daydream about being wealthy.
Iconic Dance Sequence
The "Couple of Swells" scene includes a notable dance routine and is considered one of the highlights of "Easter Parade".
Comedic Touch
The song is known for its comedic touch, with Astaire and Garland brilliantly displaying their comic timing.
Public Recognition
Upon the release of the film, "Couple of Swells" received immense public recognition and continues to be celebrated even today.
Garland's Injury
During filming, Judy Garland injured her ankle performing a dance number with Fred Astaire. However, the injury didn’t stop her from performing “A Couple of Swells,” one of her most memorable numbers with Astaire.
Historic Performance
Garland and Astaire performed "Couple of Swells" at the 1948 Academy Awards ceremony. Their performance was hugely appreciated and became a historic moment in the history of the award show.
Song Remakes
The song and its iconic dance sequence have been recreated and referenced by various popular artists in the entertainment industry over the years.
Accompanying Film Success
The film "Easter Parade" was a commercial success and became the highest-grossing movie musical of 1948, helping to further popularize the song "Couple of Swells".

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