You'll Have to Swing It (Mr. Paganini)

Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald

About You'll Have to Swing It (Mr. Paganini)

"(If You Can't Sing It) You'll Have to Swing It (Mr. Paganini)" is a song written by Sam Coslow that is strongly associated with Ella Fitzgerald. It was first recorded by Fitzgerald on 29 October 1936 and became one of her signature songs. It was a firm fixture of her live performances, providing a springboard for her scat singing. On the 2007 tribute album We All Love Ella: Celebrating the First Lady of Song recorded to mark Fitzgerald's 90th birthday, it was performed by Chaka Kahn and Natalie Cole. Cole and Patti Austin performed the song at the tribute concert to Fitzgerald on June 6, 2007. 


Year:
1999
3:00
55 
#2

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The concert was over in Carnagie Hall
The maestro took bow after bow
He said, â??My dear friends I have given my all.
I'm sorry, it's all over now.â??
When from the balcony way up high
There suddenly came a mournful cry

Oh, Mr. Paganini
Please play my rhapsody
And if you cannot play it won't you sing it?
And if you can't sing you simply have to
Scat

Listen Paganini,
We breathlessly await your masterful dtente
Go on and sling it
And if you can't sling it you simply have to
Scat

We heard your repertoire
And at the final bar
We greeted you with wild applause
But what a great ovation
Your interpretation of:
â??I never cared much for moonlight skies
I never blinked back at fireflies'
Would do

So, Paganini don't you be a meanie
What have you up your sleeve?
Come on and spring it
And if you can't spring it, you simply have to
Scat

Listen Paganini, please play my rhapsody
And if you cannot play it, wont you sing it?
If the boys is bopping
Aint no need in stopping
Scat

Listen Paganini,
We breathlessly await your masterful dtente
Come on and spring it
If the boys is bopping
Aint no need in stopping
Scat

I heard your repertoire and
At the final bar
We greeted you, we greeted you
With wild applause
But what a great ovation
Your interpretation of
Scat

Listen Paganini
Now, don't you be a meanie
What have you up your sleeve?
Come on and spring it
And if you can't spring it, you simply have to
Swing it

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Ella Fitzgerald

Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996), also known as the "First Lady of Song", "Queen of Jazz", and "Lady Ella", was an American jazz and song vocalist. With a vocal range spanning three octaves (D♭3 to D♭6), she was noted for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing and intonation, and a "horn-like" improvisational ability, particularly in her scat singing. more »

11 fans

Written by: SAM COSLOW

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Origin
"You'll Have to Swing It (Mr. Paganini)" is a jazz song that was originally recorded by 'Ella Fitzgerald.' The song was part of Fitzgerald's live performances and was included in her album "Ella in Hollywood" in 1961.
Cover Version
American R&B and jazz singer 'Patti Austin' did a cover version of this song. Her version was included in her 2002 album called “For Ella,” which was a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald.
Song Content
The song is thematic about the famous violinist "Niccolò Paganini". The lyricist asks Paganini to play a certain rhapsody, and if he refuses, he'd need to swing it.
Songwriting Credits
"You'll Have to Swing It (Mr. Paganini)" was written by Sam Coslow. Coslow was a successful American songwriter, singer, film producer, and publisher who composed numerous hits during the 1920s and 1930s.
Scat Singing
This song is well-known for its scat singing section, a type of jazz singing where the voice imitates an instrument. Ella Fitzgerald was famed for her scat singing.
Unique Approach
Patti Austin's cover version also included the distinctive scat singing. However, she added her own style and interpretation to the song, making it unique in its way.
Album Success
In 1961, Ella Fitzgerald's "Ella in Hollywood" where the song originally featured peaked at #15 on Billboard's Hot 200 album chart.
Tribute
Patti Austin's album "For Ella," featuring "You'll Have to Swing It (Mr. Paganini)" was a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald. The album was critically acclaimed and showed Austin's deep admiration for Fitzgerald's work.
Grammy Awards
Patti Austin's album "For Ella," including "You'll Have to Swing It (Mr. Paganini)" won a Grammy in 2003 for Best Jazz Vocal Album.
Live Performances
The song was a regular feature in many of Ella Fitzgerald's live performances giving her an opportunity to show off her scat singing talent. Likewise, Patti Austin also included this song in many of her live performances.

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