Let's Face the Music and Dance

Paul Weston & His Orchestra, Ella Fitzgerald

About Let's Face the Music and Dance

"Let's Face the Music and Dance" is a song written in 1936 by Irving Berlin for the film Follow the Fleet, where it was introduced by Fred Astaire and featured in a celebrated dance duet with Astaire and Ginger Rogers. It is also used in Pennies from Heaven, where Astaire's voice is lip-synched by Steve Martin, and in a celebrated Morecambe and Wise sketch involving newsreader Angela Rippon. In the 1990s, Nat 'King' Cole's version was used in a famous advert for Allied Dunbar; in response to this (and to the song's use by Torvill and Dean in the 1994 Winter Olympics) this version was reissued and reached number 30 in the UK charts in March 1994. The song has been recorded by a plethora of artists. Hit versions in 1936 were by Fred Astaire and by Ted Fio Rito & His Orchestra (vocal by Stanley Hickman). Ella Fitzgerald included this song in her landmark Verve Records release: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Irving Berlin Songbook. In 2014, Scottish singer Todd Gordon recorded a duet with New York-based jazz singer Sunny Kim included on the album, Love dot com. 


Year:
1993
2:55
51 
#2

Lyrics currently unavailable…


Ella Fitzgerald

Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996), also known as the "First Lady of Song", "Queen of Jazz", and "Lady Ella", was an American jazz and song vocalist. With a vocal range spanning three octaves (D♭3 to D♭6), she was noted for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing and intonation, and a "horn-like" improvisational ability, particularly in her scat singing. more »

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9 facts about this song

Songwriting and Origin
The song "Let's Face the Music and Dance" was written by Irving Berlin, a well-known American composer. Berlin is often considered one of the greatest songwriters in American history.
Famous Performances
Fred Astaire famously sang the song in the 1936 film "Follow the Fleet". This is perhaps one of the most iconic performances of this song ever. - Later, another iconic performance was by Ella Fitzgerald, the 'Queen of Jazz.' She performed the song on her album "Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Irving Berlin Song Book" in 1958.
Ginger Rogers Connection
Although Ginger Rogers did not sing the song, she appeared in the movie "Follow the Fleet" with Fred Astaire where she also danced to the song in the film. Their dance sequence in this film to "Let's Face the Music and Dance" is considered one of the most memorable in film history.
Song Popularity
Over the years, the song has been covered by a number of popular artists, thereby increasing its popularity. It has become a staple in the world of jazz music.
Song Theme
The song is often considered a love ballad. The lyrics suggest that regardless of any problems or worries in life, one should keep on dancing and embrace the love between two people.
Admirable Lyrics
"Let's Face the Music and Dance" is praised for its clever lyrics. The suggestive nature of these lyrics are often interpreted as a reflection of the socio-economic worries of the time when it was written.
Filmography
The classic song was also used in the 1996 movie "Everyone Says I Love You" directed by Woody Allen.
Combination of Talents
This song represents a unique combination of talents of four significant individuals in the world of music and dance- Irving Berlin's composition and songwriting, Fred Astaire's and Ginger Roger's mesmerizing dance, and Ella Fitzgerald’s soulful voice.
Legacy
Decades after its original release, "Let's Face the Music and Dance" remains a classic, showcasing the everlasting impact of Berlin's songwriting, Fitzgerald's singing, and Astaire and Rogers' dancing.

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