That's Entertainment!

Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli

About That's Entertainment!

"That's Entertainment!" is a popular song with music written by Arthur Schwartz and lyrics by Howard Dietz. The song was published in 1952 and was written especially for the 1953 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer musical film The Band Wagon. The song is performed in the film by Jack Buchanan supported by Fred Astaire, Nanette Fabray, and Oscar Levant. In 2004, the song finished at #45 in AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs survey of top tunes in American cinema. Since the movie, the song has become the signature tune for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and an anthem for Hollywood and theater in general, being used as an opening number in many shows. Alongside "Hooray for Hollywood," "There's No Business Like Show Business" and "Another Op'nin', Another Show", it is considered one of the entertainment industry's best known tunes. The song is perhaps most associated with Judy Garland, who recorded it for her 1960 LP That's Entertainment!. A year later, a live version appeared on Garland's Grammy-winning double album Judy at Carnegie Hall. 


Year:
1996
2:28
4,489 
#4

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A clown with his pants falling down
Or the dance that's a dream of romance
Or the scene where the villain is mean.
That's entertainment!
The lights on the lady in tights
Or he bride with the guy by her side
Or the ball where she gives it her all.
That's entertainment!
The plot can be hot, simply teeming with sex
A gay divorcee who is after her ex
It could be Oedipus Rex
Where a chap kills his father and causes lots of bother.
The clerk who is thrown out of work
By the boss who is thrown for a loss
By the skirt who is doing him dirt
The world is a stage; the stage is a world of entertainment!
It might be a fight like you see on the screen
A swain getting slain for the love of a queen
Some great Shakespearean scene
Where a ghost and a prince meet, and everyone ends in mincemeat.
The guy who was waving the flag
That began with the mystical hand
Hip hooray! The American way
The world is a stage; the stage is a world of entertainment!

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Judy Garland

Judy Garland (born Frances Ethel Gumm; June 10, 1922 – June 22, 1969) was an American actress, singer and vaudevillian. Described by Fred Astaire as "the greatest entertainer who ever lived" and renowned for her contralto voice, she attained international stardom throughout a career that spanned more than 40 years as an actress in musical and dramatic roles, as a recording artist and on the concert stage. Respected for her versatility, she received a Juvenile Academy Award and won a Golden Globe Award as well as Grammy Awards and a Special Tony Award. She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in the remake of A Star is Born and for the Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the 1961 film Judgment at Nuremberg. She remains t… more »

4 fans

Written by: Howard Dietz, Arthur Schwartz

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


9 facts about this song

Production Details
"That's Entertainment!" is a song from the film "The Band Wagon", a musical film released in 1953. The song became a celebrated anthem for the entertainment industry.
Notable Performers
The song was performed by Fred Astaire and Judy Garland, two major Hollywood stars known for their iconic dance and singing styles. Interestingly, while the song is often linked to them, in the actual film it was sung by Fred Astaire, Jack Buchanan, Nanette Fabray, and Oscar Levant.
Lyrics and Meaning
The song was written by Howard Dietz and Arthur Schwartz. It presents a satirical and cheerful take on the effort and pain that often goes unseen in the entertainment business, with lines like "Where a chap kills his father and causes a lot of bother".
Popularity
The song became so popular that it inspired the title and theme for a series of filmed compilations of classic MGM musical numbers in the 1970s and 1980s, all titled "That's Entertainment!".
Impact
The song is so influential that it is often considered synonymous with professional show business. Its lyrics encapsulate life in the entertainment industry.
Recognition
In 2004, it finished at #45 in AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs survey of top tunes in American cinema, highlighting its enduring influence and popularity.
Authentic Performance
Even though "That's Entertainment!" is widely associated with both Fred Astaire and Judy Garland, it's worth noting that they never actually sang it as a duet. However, both legendary performers included it in their solo acts and television programs, contributing to its reputation.
Cultural References
The line from the song "The clown with his pants falling down" was used as the title of an episode in the successful U.S. TV series The Jeffersons. This reflects the song's cultural impact and enduring relevance.
Cover Versions
"That's Entertainment!" has been covered by numerous artists over the years, including Frank Sinatra in his 1980 "Trilogy" album, underscoring its lasting appeal and influence.

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