Puttin' on the Ritz

"Puttin' on the Ritz" is a popular song written and published in 1929 by Irving Berlin and introduced by Harry Richman in the musical film Puttin' on the Ritz (1930). The title derives from the slang expression "putting on the Ritz," meaning to dress very fashionably. The expression was inspired by the swanky Ritz Hotel.

The song is in AABB form, with a verse.^[1] According to John Mueller, the central device in the A section is the "use of delayed rhythmic resolution: a staggering, off-balance passage, emphasized by the unorthodox stresses in the lyric, suddenly resolves satisfyingly on a held note, followed by the forceful assertion of the title phrase." The marchlike B section, which is only barely syncopated, acts as a contrast to the previous rhythmic complexities.^[1] According to Alec Wilder, in his study of American popular song, the rhythmic pattern in "Puttin' on the Ritz" is "the most complex and provocative I have ever come upon."^[2]

The original version of Berlin's song included references to the then-popular fad of flashily-dressed but poor black Harlemites parading up and down Lenox Avenue, "Spending ev'ry dime / For a wonderful time". The song was featured with the original lyrics in the 1939 film Idiot's Delight, where it was performed by Clark Gable and chorus, and this routine was selected for inclusion in That's Entertainment (1974). Columbia released a 78 recording of Fred Astair singing the original lyrics in 1930. For the film Blue Skies (1946), where it was performed by Fred Astaire, Berlin revised the lyrics to apply to affluent whites strutting "up and down Park Avenue."^[3]

Hit phonograph records of the tune in its original popularity of 1929-1930 were recorded by Harry Richman and Fred Astaire, with whom the song is particularly associated.

Various cover versions

"Puttin' on the Ritz"

Single by Taco

from the album After Eight

B-side

"Livin' in My Dream World"

Released

1983

Format

7", 12"

Genre

Synthpop, New Wave, Electronic

Length

3:22

Irving Berlin

Taco

Taco singles chronology

"Cheek to Cheek"
(1982)

"Puttin' on the Ritz"
(1983)

"Singin' in the Rain"
(1992)

This tune has enjoyed a number of revivals including:

A hit swing music version by Benny Goodman in 1939^[4]
An Ella Fitzgerald version, also in a swing music style.
A song and dance routine by Clark Gable in 1939's Idiot's Delight (film)
A song and dance number performed by Fred Astaire in the 1946 film Blue Skies using the revised lyrics.
A humorous duet in Mel Brooks' 1974 film Young Frankenstein, performed in character by Gene Wilder as Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, and Peter Boyle as the inarticulate monster. This version would later be used in the 2007 musical adaptation of the same name.
A synthpop version by Taco peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in September 1983. It was released from his LP After Eight. It includes a tap dance solo in the middle to honor Astaire.^[5]^[6] Also included in the recording are parts of "Always", "White Christmas", "Alexander's Ragtime Band",^[7] "There's No Business Like Show Business" (all written by Irving Berlin), and "Gotta Dance" from Singin' in the Rain.^[5] This version of the song was ranked #53 in VH1's 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of the 80s special.^[4]
Alvin and the Chipmunks covered Taco's version of the song (see above) for "Don't Be a Videot," a 1984 episode of Alvin and the Chipmunks.
A song by Shiny Toy Guns on the first version of their album We Are Pilots in 2005 called just "Ritz"
A speed metal cover was performed by the Finnish band Leningrad Cowboys in 2006 on their album Zombies Paradise.
The original song was also covered by Rufus Wainwright in 2007 on his album Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall.
The song is also used in the title music for the Game Boy Game Super Hunchback.
The song is performed by Bertie Wooster (Hugh Laurie) in the 1990-1993 ITV Jeeves and Wooster TV series.

References

^ ^a ^b Mueller, John (1986). Astaire Dancing - The Musical Films. London: Hamish Hamilton. p. 267. ISBN 0-241-11749-6.
^ Mueller, p.267, quoting Wilder
^ Mueller, p.267: "In the original version it told of the ritzy airs of Harlemites parading up and down Lenox Avenue. For the 1946 film, the strutters became well-to-do whites on Park Avenue. The patronizing, yet admiring satire of the song is shifted, then, and mellowed in the process. The change may have had to do with changing attitudes towards race and with Hollywood's dawning wariness about offending blacks."
^ ^a ^b [1]
^ ^a ^b http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=1858, Retrieved on 2009-06-25.
^ http://books.google.com/books?id=tjQeP-BHy78C&pg=PA620&dq=taco+puttin%27+on+the+ritz&cd=7#v=onepage&q=taco%20puttin%27%20on%20the%20ritz&f=false
^ "Irving Berlin, Still on the Charts". New York Times. 1988-05-11. http://www.nytimes.com/1988/05/11/opinion/irving-berlin-still-on-the-charts.html. Retrieved 2009-06-25.