They All Laughed

Fred Astaire

About They All Laughed

"They All Laughed" is a song composed by George Gershwin, with lyrics by Ira Gershwin, written for the 1937 film Shall We Dance where it was introduced by Ginger Rogers as part of a song and dance routine with Fred Astaire. The lyrics compare those who "laughed at me, wanting you" with those who laughed at some of history's famous scientific and industrial pioneers, asking, "Who's got the last laugh now?" People and advances mentioned are Christopher Columbus's proof the Earth is round; Thomas Edison's phonograph; Guglielmo Marconi's wireless telegraphy; the Wright brothers's first flight; the Rockefeller Center; Eli Whitney's cotton gin; Robert Fulton's North River Steamboat; Milton S. Hershey's Hershey bar chocolate; and Henry Ford's "Tin Lizzy" Model T car. 


Year:
1983
2:47
437 
#1

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They all laughed at Christopher Columbus when he said the world was round
They all laughed when Edison recorded sound
They all laughed at Wilbur and his brother when they said that man could fly
They told Marconi wireless was a phony, it's the same old cry
They laughed at me wanting you, said I was reaching for the moon
But oh, you came through, now they'll have to change their tune
They all said we never could be happy, they laughed at us and how!
But ho, ho, ho! Who's got the last laugh now?

They all laughed at Rockefeller Center, now they're fighting to get in
They all laughed at Whitney and his cotton gin
They all laughed Fulton and his steamboat, Hershey and his chocolate bar
Ford and his Lizzie, kept the laughers busy, that's how people are
They laughed at me wanting you, said it would be, "Hello, Goodbye."
But oh, you came through, now they're eating humble pie
They all said we'd never get together, darling, let's take a bow
For ho, ho, ho! Who's got the last laugh?
Hee, hee, hee! Let's at the past laugh, 
Ha, ha, ha! Who's got the last laugh now?

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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


7 facts about this song

Song Creation
"They All Laughed" is a song composed by George Gershwin, with lyrics by his brother Ira Gershwin. The song is well known for its fast rhythm, clever lyrics, and swing tempo.
Famous Recordings
One of the most famous versions of "They All Laughed" is performed by legendary dancer, actor, and singer Fred Astaire. Astaire originally recorded the song for the 1937 film “Shall We Dance.”
Film Appearance
"They All Laughed" features prominently in the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movie “Shall We Dance” from 1937. It is during this music number that Astaire and Rogers perform one of their best-remembered dance routines which included dancing on roller skates.
Song Theme
The song has a comical theme, recounting how various inventors and discoveries such as Christopher Columbus and the Wright brothers were initially mocked, only to later be acknowledged as geniuses. The song ends by comparing those laughing at the singer's love to those skeptics.
Cover Versions
"They All Laughed" has been covered by various artists across the decades, including Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Stacey Kent.
Role in Popular Culture
The song's enduring popularity can be seen by its use in other forms of media, including its use in the 1981 film of the same name directed by Peter Bogdanovich.
Legacy of artists
This song highlighted once again the immense talent of the Gershwin brothers as leading figures of American popular music and the remarkable charm and performing prowess of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, who were one of Hollywood’s most enduring on-screen couples.

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