Play a Simple Melody

The Starlighters, Irving Berlin, Jo Stafford

About Play a Simple Melody

"Play a Simple Melody" is a song from the 1914 musical, Watch Your Step, words and music by Irving Berlin. The show was the first stage musical that Berlin wrote. It ran for 175 performances at the New Amsterdam Theater in New York City. The one song from it that is well-remembered today is "Play a Simple Melody," one of the few true examples of counterpoint in American popular music — a melody running against a second melody, each with independent lyrics. Two other of Berlin's so-called "double" songs are "You're Just in Love," and "An Old-Fashioned Wedding". In the printed music, first the "simple melody" plays alone. Then comes the contrasting melody. Finally, the two play together. The lyrics of "Play a Simple Melody" also track the counterpoint duet in that one singer yearns for the music which mother sang (the style of a bygone generation), but the other singer disdains such classic fare as lacking interest and rhythm. When "Play a Simple Melody" was published, ragtime was in its heyday, led by its most consummate composer, Scott Joplin. In a famous 1916 recording of the song, while Elsie Baker (using her stage name "Edna Brown") wants what she considers simplicity, Billy Murray explicitly asks for "rag". Also recorded by Walter Van Brunt & Mary Carson in 1915. A duet by Bing and Gary Crosby with Matty Matlock's All Stars (listed on the label as "Gary Crosby and Friend with Matty Matlock's All Stars") was recorded on June 23, 1950 and became a hit recording in 1950 reaching the No. 2 position in the Billboard charts. It was released by Decca Records as catalog number 27112 with the flip side "Sam's Song." Other charted versions in 1950 were by Jo Stafford (#18), Georgia Gibbs with Bob Crosby (#25) and Phil Harris (#30)."Play a Simple Melody" was then featured in the 1954 movie There's No Business Like Show Business, a movie starring Ethel Merman, Dan Dailey, Donald O'Connor, Johnnie Ray, Mitzi Gaynor, and Marilyn Monroe showcasing Irving Berlin songs from the whole of his career. In the movie, Merman and Dailey sang the song in a vaudeville sequence. more »

Year:: 1999
: 2:32
: 229 Views

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Irving Berlin

Irving Berlin (May 11, 1888 – September 22, 1989) was a Russian-born American composer and lyricist, widely considered one of the greatest songwriters in American history. He published his first song, "Marie from Sunny Italy", in 1907 and had his first major international hit, "Alexander's Ragtime Band" in 1911. more »

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10 facts about this song

Song History "Play a Simple Melody" is a classic popular song written by Irving Berlin in 1914.
Ethel Merman's Performance Ethel Merman, a famous American actress and singer, performed "Play a Simple Melody" in many stage performances, popularizing the song with her strong, vibrant voice.
Jo Stafford Cover American singer Jo Stafford also covered "Play a Simple Melody" in 1950, adding her own soothing, mellow twist to the song.
Georgia Gibbs Version Apart from these artists, "Georgia Gibbs", renowned American vocalist, also performed her own version of this song, adding to the track's popularity.
Composition The song was penned by Irving Berlin, who was one of the most famous and prolific American composers and lyricists in history. Known for his catchy melodies and clever lyrics.
Musical Style "Play a Simple Melody" is a typical example of Irving Berlin's Ragtime influenced style, with its syncopated rhythms and catchy tune.
Century Old Song Despite being more than a century old, "Play a Simple Melody" is still beloved and frequently performed today, demonstrating the timeless appeal of Irving Berlin's music.
Featured in Musical This golden oldie was also included in the musical "Watch Your Step", becoming one of the highlights of the show.
Popularity Irving Berlin was known for his ability to blend popular and classical music elements. "Play a Simple Melody" perfectly exemplifies this with its appealing simplicity and catchy tune which helped it become a hit.
Thematic Elements The song, true to its title, extols the virtues of simple, unpretentious music. Through "Play a Simple Melody," Berlin communicated the idea that music need not be overly complex to be enjoyable and meaningful.

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