| "The Lady Is a Tramp" | |
|---|---|
| Song from Babes in Arms | |
| Published | 1937 |
| Writer | Lorenz Hart |
| Composer | Richard Rodgers |
"The Lady Is a Tramp" is a show tune from the 1937 Rodgers and Hart musical Babes in Arms in which it was introduced by former child star Mitzi Green. This song is a spoof of New York high society and its strict etiquette (the first line of the verse is significant: "I get too hungry for dinner at eight..."). It has become a popular standard.
Early recordings from 1937 include one by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra, (featuring Edythe Wright on vocals), Midge Williams and Her Jazz Jesters, Sophie Tucker, and Bernie Cummins on the Vocalion records label (#3714).
Lena Horne recorded the song with the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio Orchestra on March 30, 1948. Her performance appeared in the film, Words and Music, a fictionalized biography of the partnership of Rodgers and Hart.
It was recorded by Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald in 1950s and Shirley Bassey in the 1960s, becoming a signature song for each of them. Sinatra also sang it in the film Pal Joey.
In later years, as heard on the first Duets album, Sinatra would often alter the title lyric to "...That's why this chick is a champ.". Fitzgerald would in turn alter the lyrics to praise Sinatra or Sidney Poitier "...and for Frank Sinatra I whistle and stamp!". She and Sinatra sang the song as a duet on the 1967 television special A Man and His Music + Ella + Jobim.
Sammy Davis, Jr. made it a staple song in his live routines. Less conventional interpretations include versions by Alice Cooper, Yes, Tokyo Jihen, and They Might Be Giants.
The Supremes recorded the song on their Rodgers and Hart tribute album titled The Supremes Sing Rodgers & Hart. The group also recorded a version live at the prestigious Copacabana Night Club in New York in 1967.
Sinatra recorded a version of the song in 1968 as a favor to The Beatles. Sammy Cahn wrote new lyrics to the song as a birthday gift to Ringo Starr's wife, Maureen. His recording was pressed as a single as Apple 1. Only one copy was made, and the tape and masters were destroyed. Since there is only one copy, and since Sinatra and the Beatles were both involved, this may be among the most valuable records in the world.[1] The recording has not been bootlegged.[2]
Tokyo Jihen, a famous Japanese band, covered this song on their debut single, Gunjō Biyori.[3]
Madonna and Anthony Kiedis from Red Hot Chili Peppers performed the song live at The Arsenio Hall Show's 1000th episode.
Lily Allen sang this song with Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra on his annual New Years TV programme, Jools Hollands Hootenanny.
Lisa Hannigan performed this song at the Dublin Fringe Festival.
Kerry Ellis performed this song at the Henley festival on July 10, 2009 which was later aired on BBC Radio 2 as part of Friday Night is Music Night on August 28, 2009
The television show Glee featured a cover of this song by two of the main characters, Noah "Puck" Puckerman and Mercedes Jones, in the episode "Laryngitis". Puck references it as Sammy Davis Jr's biggest hit song. It was also performed on the spinoff "The Glee Project", by contestants Matheus and Damian.
The television series The Playboy Club's third episode features a cover of this song by Laura Benanti's character.
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Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded a version of this song for his 2011 album Duets II. Bennett praised Gaga's performance in the song, saying that she is a real "jazz lady". The single differs from the somber theme of "Body and Soul" displayed by Bennett and Winehouse in the album's first single, with its playful back-and-forth vocal theme instead. They performed the song live on ABC's Thanksgiving special dedicated to, written, directed, produced and hosted by Gaga entitled A Very Gaga Thanksgiving.[4] They were the opening number, singing next to an old piano in a casual obscure room.[5] Set in a cabaret Gaga played the part of a "tramp" with class and style she sang with Tony. Gaga grabbing a red hankerchief out of Bennett's pocket as well as taking off and showing her shoe to Bennett and then throwing it over her shoulder was a playful touch. After the song, there were clips of Lady Gaga, preparing for the show with excerpts of Bennett observations. Bennett said, "I see in Lady Gaga a touch of theatrical genius, she is very creative and very productive, I think as time goes on she might be American's Picasso. I think she’s going to become as big as Elvis Presley," he continued. "She’s absolutely brilliant with what she does. She’s a very, very magnificent performer and she does know how to sing, and she does know how to play the piano. I see great things for her.” “My favorite is that Lady Gaga. She’s the biggest. I’ll tell you, I never met anyone with more talent than that lady.”[6] The song, even though not officially released got to enter the Japan Hot 100, where it has managed to enter the top 40 and it has also entered the top 200 extension to the UK Singles Chart.[7][8] It has also been confirmed that the January 2012 issue of Vanity Fair will include a sketch of Gaga, which was made by Bennett when she posed in the nude for him.[9]
The song as well as the video received positive critical reception for the vocals of both Bennett and Gaga as well as for the simplicity of the video, which departs from Gaga's usual efforts. Gina Serpe of E! commented that, "much like [Bennett's] video with Amy, this one features the two crooners belting it out and hamming it up side-by-side in a studio, with Gaga getting into full broad mode, swilling a drink, flirting with Tony and even dancing him during the song breaks. All this with no egg incubators or skin horns in sight—the only thing the lady is displaying in this video is her talent. 'Bout time."[10] "Of the current crop of pop superstars, perhaps none is better suited to take on "The Lady Is a Tramp" than Lady Gaga," said MTV's James Montgomery.[11] Other critics expressed hopes that Gaga would release her own jazz music after this successful effort.[12]
The duo filmed a music video for the track.[13][14][15][16][17] The video shows Bennett and GaGa singing "The Lady Is a Tramp" together in a studio in front of music stands. Both wear black tie attire, with Bennett sporting a suit and GaGa donning an evening dress made up by black-colored semi-transparent lace. Despite their black clothes, each artist contrasts these with some color, as Bennett rests a red handkerchief in his breast pocket while GaGa wears a turquoise bob wig. In the beginning of the video and during occasional other scenes, GaGa holds a whiskey glass. The mood of the video is light and cheerful, as both singers smile constantly and use hand gestures and swing their arms to express happiness. Like the lyrical content, the video features a back-and-forth style, showing the two singers back and forth while their lines switch. Adding to the animation, the two make gesture and point to each other during their lines. Additional animations include GaGa pulling Bennett's red handkerchief out of his pocket in the middle of the video, holding up the tail of her dress on multiple occasions, and moving to Bennett's microphone during her "I'm so broke" line as well as for the concluding line of "that's why this lady is a tramp." Bennett meanwhile makes his own gestures, including a-ok during his line of "Jeter's just fine." At the end of the video, GaGa kisses Bennett on the cheek and he thanks her. Although the video is much simpler than GaGa's usual solo videos, her animated gestures, blue hair, and kiss on the cheek, help her to maintain some of her usual quirks.
The video, like the song's lyrical content, received largely positive critical reception. "The video seems to show two talented musicians having a good time. Bennett seems to love every minute of it, trading vocal lines, laughing when Gaga steals his handkerchief and taking her on a slow dance at the end of the song. I like the premise – two jazzy, cool cats sippin on 30 year old scotch, sharing memories and making music. Well, if this isn’t the most charming music video of the year I don’t know what is," praised Kyle Moffatt of Fresh 102.7 radio.[18] "Gaga plays the role to perfection, vamping and camping alongside Bennett, blue hair bobbing along to the beat," expressed James Montgomery of MTV. "In a floor-length black-lace dress, she belts out the chorus, flits and flirts through lines like "I love the free, fresh wind in my hair" and "I'm so broke" (and even professes her love for the Yankees, which probably explains her behavior at Citi Field last season) does the prerequisite pouting and even scats a bit. Bennett seems to love every minute of it, trading vocal couplets, laughing when Gaga steals his handkerchief and taking her on a slow dance at song's end. And thanks to the backing of a roaring big band, this new version of "Tramp" is not only a welcome addition to the lengthy list of cover versions, but, in some way, it takes the song into new territory too. A lot of that is thanks to Gaga, who gives her all and really, truly becomes the Tramp."[19] Hypetune.com raved that, "[The duet] is brilliant. Sometimes, Lady Gaga really surprises us. We are used to her being different and extraordinary, so her choices oftentimes don’t “surprise” us. But, a jazz tune with Tony Bennett? Gaga has a brilliant jazz voice. One of the oddest collaborations on paper is one of the most fantastic things we’ve ever seen. The video is also wonderful. It’s a must see for all lovers of music. Check it out below. Get on the hype."[20]
| Chart (2011) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Japan Hot 100[7] | 33 |
| UK Singles Chart[8] | 188 |
| Country | Release date | Format |
|---|---|---|
| United States[21] | September 20, 2011 | Digital download |
| France[22] | October 3, 2011 | Promotional digital single |
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