Lady Be Good

Ella Fitzgerald

About Lady Be Good

"Oh, Lady Be Good!" is a 1924 song by George and Ira Gershwin. It was introduced by Walter Catlett in the Broadway musical Lady, Be Good! written by Guy Bolton, Fred Thompson, and the Gershwin brothers and starring Fred and Adele Astaire. The song was also performed by the chorus in the film Lady Be Good (1941), although the film is unrelated to the musical. Recordings in 1925 were by Paul Whiteman, Carl Fenton, and Cliff Edwards. A 1947 recording of the song became a hit for Ella Fitzgerald, notable for her scat solo. For her album Ella Fitzgerald Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Songbook (1959), it was sung as a ballad arranged by Nelson Riddle. 


Year:
2005
3:13
108 
#1

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Listen to my tale of woe
It's terribly sad, but true
All dressed up, no place to go
Each evening I'm awfully blue

I must win some handsome guy
Can't go on like this
I could blossom out I know
With somebody just like you, so

Oh, sweet and lovely lady, be good
Oh, lady, be good to me
I am so awfully misunderstood
So, lady, be good to me

Oh, please, have some pity
I'm all alone in this big city
I tell you I'm just a lonesome babe in the wood
So, lady, be good to me

Oh, please, have some pity
I'm all alone in this big city
I tell you I'm just a lonesome babe in the wood
So, lady, be good to me
Oh, lady, be good to me

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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: GEORGE GERSHWIN, IRA GERSHWIN

Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song History
"'Lady Be Good!" was not originally composed for Ella Fitzgerald. It was written in 1924 by George and Ira Gershwin for the Broadway musical, "Lady, Be Good!"
Artist Recognition
Ella Fitzgerald is known for her rendition of "Lady Be Good," which is considered one of her most defining performances, helping to cement her place in jazz history.
Unique Style
Ella Fitzgerald's version of "Lady Be Good" is known for its scat singing, a technique where the vocalist improvises melodies and rhythms using the voice as an instrument.
Popular Performance
One of the most famous performances of this song by Ella Fitzgerald was at the "Opera in Jazz" concert at the Opera-Comique in Paris in 1957, where she performed a ten-minute version of "Lady Be Good."
Recordings & Releases
Ella Fitzgerald's version of "Lady Be Good" has been included in several albums, including "Ella in Hollywood" (1961) and the compilation album "First Lady of Song" (1993).
Critical Reception
Fitzgerald's rendition of "Lady Be Good" is highly acclaimed. The New York Times has referred to her performance as "the most remarkable display of Fitzgerald's style".
Awards and Achievements
Although "Lady Be Good" did not directly win any awards, it hugely contributed to Ella Fitzgerald's recognition as a leading jazz vocalist, who went on to win 13 Grammy Awards and sell over 40 million albums.
Legacy
The song "Lady Be Good," especially Fitzgerald's version, continues to influence many jazz artists to this day for its improvisational style and vocal brilliance.
Collaboration
Ella Fitzgerald often performed "Lady Be Good" with jazz luminaries like Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, adding more depth and variation to the song.
Notable Cover
Apart from Ella Fitzgerald, "Lady Be Good" has been covered by countless artists, including Count Basie, Benny Goodman, and Charlie Parker, demonstrating the song's universal appeal and enduring popularity.

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