Slap That Bass

Fred Astaire

About Slap That Bass

"Slap That Bass" is a song composed by George Gershwin, with lyrics by Ira Gershwin, introduced by Fred Astaire and Dudley Dickerson in the 1937 film Shall We Dance. The song refers to the slap style of double bass playing that was popular at the time.


Year:
1998
2:56
95 
#1

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Slap that bass
Slap it till it's dizzy
Slap that bass
Keep the rhythm busy
Zoom zoom zoom
Misery, you've got to go

Slap that bass
Use it like a tonic
Slap that bass
Keep your Philharmonic
Zoom zoom zoom
And the milk and honey'll flow

Dictators would be better off
If they zoom zoom now and then
Today, you can see that the happiest men
All got rhythm

In which case
If you want a bauble
Slap that bass
Slap away your trouble
Learn to zoom zoom zoom
Slap that bass

Zoom zoom, zoom zoom
The World is in a mess
With politics and taxes
And people grinding axes
There's no happiness

Zoom zoom, zoom zoom
Rhythm lead your ace
The future doesn't fret me
If I can only get me
Someone to slap that bass

Happiness is not a riddle
When I'm listening to that
Big bass fiddle

Slap that bass
(Slap those feet)
I said slap that bass
(We said slap those feet)
Alright, slap that bass
And I'll slap these feet

Well slap my face
Can he slap that bass
(Feet)
Bass
(Bass)
Bass
(Feet)

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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 »

3 fans

Written by: George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin

Lyrics © RALEIGH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song's Composition
"Slap That Bass" is a song composed by George Gershwin, one of the most celebrated composers of the 20th century, famous for creating orchestral pieces, operas, and musicals.
Performance
The song was notably performed by famous dancer, singer, and actor Fred Astaire, who was widely regarded as one of the most influential dancers in the history of dance and musicals.
Film Feature
"Slap That Bass" was featured prominently in the 1937 movie "Shall We Dance," where Astaire performed a spectacular dance routine to the song along with a group of ship's engine room workers.
Lyrics
The song's lyrics were written by Ira Gershwin, George Gershwin's brother, who collaborated with him on many of his most famous works.
Music Style
"Slap That Bass" is a classic example of the "dance craze" style of music popular in the 1920s and 1930s, featuring upbeat rhythms, lively lyrics and swing-influenced melodies.
Recording
The song's original 1937 recording by Astaire has become a classic, but it has also been covered by numerous artists, including Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan.
Integration
The sequence featuring "Slap That Bass" in "Shall We Dance" was one of the first examples of the "integrated musical," a film in which the songs are woven into the story rather than just being performed in isolated sequences.
Cultural Impact
Fred Astaire’s performance in the song’s film sequence is considered one of his most innovative, involving Aphro-American styles and jazz music, and is often seen as a precursor to modern music videos.
Notable Lyrics
The song's famous opening line "Zoom zoom zoom ... Slap that bass" is often quoted and has influenced many other songs and movies.
Legacy
"Slap That Bass" continues to be performed and recorded, underscoring its ongoing legacy and influence. Even though many years have passed since its initial release, it continues to be a signature song within the classic dance and musical genre.

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