Can't We Be Friends
"Can't We Be Friends?" is a 1929 song written by Paul James and Kay Swift, introduced on Broadway in The Little Show by Libby Holman. It was later recorded by many artists such as Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, and Frank Sinatra. In fact, Ella and Frank sang this together (with special lyrics) on Frank's 1959 TV special.
Notable recordings
- Smith Ballew (recorded September 11, 1929 and released on Okeh 41304)
- Al Bowlly with Ray Noble & his Orchestra (recorded 16 January 1931 and released on Decca F2220)
- Jamie Cullum (Twentysomething album, 2003)
- Bing Crosby (recorded September 27, 1929 and released on Columbia 2001-D)
- Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong (Ella and Louis album, 1956)
- The Georgians (recorded 11/22/1929)
- Libby Holman recorded in September 1929 and released on Brunswick 4506.
- The Imperial Dance Orchestra (1929)
- Illinois Jacquet (Swing's the Thing album, 1956)
- Vincent Lopez & his Orchestra
- Red Nichols & his Five Pennies (recorded 9/6/1929)
- Anita O'Day
- Jane Powell (Can't We Be Friends album, 1956)
- Leo Reisman & his Orchestra
- Linda Ronstadt (Lush Life album, 1984)
- Frank Sinatra (In the Wee Small Hours album, 1955) (recorded February 8, 1955 with orchestra conducted by Nelson Riddle)
- Art Tatum
- Ray Ventura & his Collegians (recorded 10/19/1929)
- Sam Wooding & his Chocolate Kiddies (recorded 12/1929)
Movie Usage
- Backfire (1950)
- Bonnie & Clyde (1967) featured a scored version by Charles Strouse in the background of one scene
- Flamingo Road (1949)
- Get Him to the Greek (2010) featured a version by the Pete Jolly Trio
- The Man I Love (1947)
- Starlift (1951)
- Torch Song Trilogy (1998) featured Anita O'Day's version
- Young Man with a Horn (1950) featured Harry James dubbing "Can't We Be Friends" for Kirk Douglas's character