Puttin' On the Ritz
"Puttin' On the Ritz" is a popular ballad. It was written by Irving Berlin. He wrote this song in May 1927. It was first published in December 1929. The song lyrics tell people that if they are feeling blue they should go "where fashion sits" and "put on the Ritz." "The Ritz" most likely refers to the Ritz Tower at 465 Park Avenue, New York City. This is a luxury residential building originally built as an apartment hotel just before this song was written.
The original 78rpm was recorded by Leo Reisman & his Orchestra (Lew Conrad vocals) in New York City on January 20, 1930 and released on Victor records catalog number 22306.[1] Several other artists sang and recorded the song later in 1930, including Fred Astaire who recorded it on March 26, 1930.[2]
In the early 1980s, Taco released a synthpop euro disco-style version of "Puttin' On the Ritz" in 1981 by RCA Records and Peer Studios. His performance consisted of song and tap. It hit #4 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.[3]
References[change | change source]
- ↑ Rust, Brian. Jazz and Ragtime Records, 1897 – 1942. Sixth Edition. Mainspring Press. p. 1399.
- ↑ Rust, Brian. Jazz and Ragtime Records, 1897 – 1942. Sixth Edition. Mainspring Press. p. 64.
- ↑ "Puttin' On the Ritz". Billboard. Retrieved Mar 22, 2015.
