Begin the Beguine
Cole Porter, Rhythmakers, Joe Haymes
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When they begin the beguine It brings back the sound of music so tender, It brings back a night of tropical splendor, It brings back a memory ever green. I'm with you once more under the stars, And down by the shore an orchestra's playing And even the palms seem to be swaying When they begin the beguine. To live it again is past all endeavor, Except when that tune clutches my heart, And there we are, swearing to love forever, And promising never, never to part. What moments divine, what rapture serene, Till clouds came along to disperse the joys we had tasted, And now when I hear people curse the chance that was wasted, I know but too well what they mean; So don't let them begin the beguine Let the love that was once a fire remain an ember; Let it sleep like the dead desire I only remember When they begin the beguine. Oh yes, let them begin the beguine, make them play Till the stars that were there before return above you, Till you whisper to me once more, "Darling, I love you!" And we suddenly know, what heaven we're in, When they begin the beguine
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Written by: COLE PORTER
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
11 facts about this song
Song Creation"Begin the Beguine" was written by American composer and songwriter, Cole Porter, in 1935.
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Composer InspirationThe song was written while Cole Porter was on a Pacific cruise. He was inspired by the native dancers he saw on the island of Moorea which is located in French Polynesia.
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Model SongThe song is a good example of Cole Porter's unique approach to song composition. It's famous for its unconventional length and structure compared to other songs during that era.
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First Performance"Begin the Beguine" first appeared in the musical number "Jubilee", which was performed at Broadway's Imperial Theater in 1935.
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Initially UnpopularIronically, while "Begin the Beguine" is now a beloved classic, it was not a major hit when it was initially performed.
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Swing Era HitThe song became popular after it was performed by Artie Shaw and his orchestra in 1938. Their version turned "Begin the Beguine" into a swing era classic.
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Diverse CoversOver the years, "Begin the Beguine" has been performed and recorded by numerous artists across diverse genres. This includes jazz musicians like Ella Fitzgerald and pop artists like Julio Iglesias.
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Notable PerformancesNotable performances include Frank Sinatra, who performed it in the 1946 film "Night and Day," and Ella Fitzgerald, who included it in her 1956 album "Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Songbook."
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Song LyricsThe lyrics of the song are a poetic reflection of the longing and nostalgia of a love affair that has ended.
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Song RecognitionThe song was listed on the National Public Radio's list of the 100 most important American musical works of the 20th century.
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Song's MeaningThe word "Beguine" refers to a style of dance and music that originates from the French-Speaking Caribbean. As such, it's likely Cole Porter used the term metaphorically to represent the beginning of a passionate and intense relationship.
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Citation
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"Begin the Beguine Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 11 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/7374099/Cole+Porter/Begin+the+Beguine>.
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