Oh, Lady Be Good!

Ella Fitzgerald, Bob Haggart, Chick Webb

About Oh, Lady Be Good!

"Oh, Lady Be Good!" is a 1924 song by George and Ira Gershwin. It was introduced by Walter Catlett in the Broadway musical Lady, Be Good! written by Guy Bolton, Fred Thompson, and the Gershwin brothers and starring Fred and Adele Astaire. The song was also performed by the chorus in the film Lady Be Good (1941), although the film is unrelated to the musical. Recordings in 1925 were by Paul Whiteman, Carl Fenton, and Cliff Edwards. A 1947 recording of the song became a hit for Ella Fitzgerald, notable for her scat solo. For her album Ella Fitzgerald Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Songbook (1959), it was sung as a ballad arranged by Nelson Riddle. 


Year:
1983
2:52
28 

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Listen to my tale of woe,
It's terribly sad but true,
All dressed up, no place to go
Each evrning I'm awfully blue.

I must win some handsome guy
Can't go on like this,
I could blossom out I know,
With somebody just like you. so...

Oh, sweet and lovely lady, be good
Oh, lady, be good to me
I am so awf'ly misunderstood
So lady, be good to me

Oh, please have some pity
I'm all alone in this big city

I tell you I'm just a lonesome babe in the wood,
So lady be good to me.

Oh, please have some pity
I'm all alone in this big city

I tell you I'm just a lonesome babe in the wood,
So lady be good to me.

Oh lady be good to me.
Published lyric furnished by a visitor.
Validated / transcribed by todd peach 
Published version:

Listen to my tale of woe, it's terribly sad but true,
All dressed up, no place to go
Each evening I'm awfully blue.
I must win some winsome miss

Can't go on like this,
I could blossom out I know,
Which somebody just like you. so...

Oh sweet and lovely,
Lady be good,
Oh lady be good to me.
I am so awfully misunderstood,
So lady be good, to me.
Oh, please have some pity
I'm all alone in this big city.
I tell you I'm just a lonesome babe in the wood,
So lady be good... to me.

Auburn and brunette and blonde:
I love 'em all, tall or small
But somehow they don't' grow fond;
They stagger but never fall.
Winte'rs gone, and now it's spring!
Love! where is thy sting?
If somebody won't respond,
I'm going to end it all.
So...

Oh sweet and lovely lady, be good.
Oh lady, be good to me!
I am so awfully misunderstood,
So, lady be good to me.
This is tulip weather -
So let's put two and two together.
I tell you
I'm just a lonesome babe in the wood,
So, lady be good, to me.

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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 »

11 fans

Written by: GEORGE GERSHWIN, IRA GERSHWIN

Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Genre Classification
"Oh, Lady Be Good!" is a song categorized under the Jazz genre, often also ascribed to Swing and Vocal Jazz in particular.
Artist Legacy
The song "Oh, Lady Be Good!" was performed by Ella Fitzgerald, known as the "First Lady of Song," who is remembered for her typical soothing voice and improvisational ability in scat singing.
Release Date
It was recorded in 1947 as part of an album named "Ella Fitzgerald Sings The George and Ira Gershwin Songbook", however, the initial song composition dates back to 1924 by George and Ira Gershwin.
Famous Performance
A notable performance of "Oh, Lady, Be Good!" was done by Ella Fitzgerald at a 1957 concert in Newport and is often referred to as the definitive interpretation of the song.
Influence
The song by Ella greatly influenced the Jazz music scene with her innovative scat singing and vocal improvisation.
Composer details
"Oh, Lady Be Good!" was the product of the gifted minds of George and Ira Gershwin, renowned American composer and lyricist respectively. They had a significant role in the creation of American standards.
Not just Ella
"Oh, Lady, Be Good!" although best known through Ella Fitzgerald's rendition, has been covered by numerous artists across the years, including names such as Count Basie and Coleman Hawkins.
Historical impact
The song is considered a standard in popular and jazz music, reflecting its continuous impact and popularity since its release.
Artistry
Ella has been applauded for bringing a fresh, vibrant take to the song, transforming it into a lively jazz piece characterized by her scat singing.
Recognition
Ella Fitzgerald's rendition of "Oh, Lady, Be Good!" is held in high esteem in the music industry, and even after decades of its release, holds a remarkable legacy for both the artist and genre.

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