I Was Doing All Right

George Gershwin, Ella Logan

About I Was Doing All Right

"I Was Doing All Right" is a song composed by George Gershwin, with lyrics by Ira Gershwin. It was introduced by Ella Logan (unseen, on the radio) in the 1937 film The Goldwyn Follies.


Year:
1995
3:06
76 

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Used to lead quiet existence,
Always had my peace of mind,
Kept Old Man Trouble at a distance,
My days were silver lined!
Right on top of the world I sat,
But look at me now, I don't know where I'm at!

I was doing alright,
Nothing but rainbows in my sky,
I was doing alright
Till you came by!

Had no cause to complain,
Life was as sweet as apple pie,
Never noticed the rain
Till you came by!

But now, whenever you're away,
Can't sleep nights and I suffer all the day;
I just sit and wonder
If love isn't one big blunder!

But when you're holding me tight,
Tingling all through, I feel somehow
I was doing alright,
But I'm doing better than ever now!

Oh, I was doin' alright,
Nothin' but rainbows in my sky,
I was doin' alright
Till you came by!

I had no cause to complain,
Life was as sweet as apple pie,
Never noticed the rain
Till you came by!

But now, whenever you're away,
Can't sleep nights and I suffer all the day;
I just sit and wonder
If love isn't one big blunder!

Johnny, when you're holdin' me tight,
Oh, tingling all through, I feel somehow
I was doin' alright,
But I'm doing better than ever now!

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


George Gershwin

George Gershwin (September 26, 1898 – July 11, 1937) was an American composer and pianist. Gershwin's compositions spanned both popular and classical genres, and his most popular melodies are widely known. Among his best known works are the orchestral compositions Rhapsody in Blue and An American in Paris, as well as the opera Porgy and Bess. more »

2 fans

Written by: GEORGE GERSHWIN, IRA GERSHWIN

Lyrics © RALEIGH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Original Composition
"I Was Doing All Right" was composed by George Gershwin, a famous American composer and pianist renowned for his works embodying the American Jazz Age. He composed the song in 1937.
Collaboration
This song is a result of George Gershwin's collaboration with his brother Ira Gershwin, who wrote the lyrics for it. Ira Gershwin was a significant figure in American popular music, delivering thoughtful words to his brother's catchy tunes.
Featured in a Movie
The song was first featured in the 1937 movie, "The Goldwyn Follies," marking one of several collaborations between the Gershwin brothers and Hollywood’s film industry.
Song's Theme
The lyrics of "I Was Doing All Right" present a classic love narrative, where the speaker thought they were fine until falling in love and being thrown off balance.
Tragic Association
George Gershwin composed this song just a few months before his premature death in July 1937. This fact lends to the song’s significance and sentimental value as one of Gershwin’s final completed works.
Notable Covers
Various famous jazz musicians and singers have covered "I Was Doing All Right," including Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong and Diana Krall, keeping the song alive more than eight decades after its initial release.
Mimic of Live Music
The song's construction mimics the spirit of live music, with the melody's spontaneous, improvised quality that's characteristic of the jazz era.
Legacy
Today, the song stands amongst Gershwin’s repertoire as a testament to his versatility and brilliance in music composition. His unique writing style is evident here, blending jazz with traditional pop music in a seamless manner.
Musical Element
The song is composed in the key of C Major and follows a standard 32-bar AABA format, common in popular songwriting of the era. This format features two closely related sections followed by a contrasting section and a return to the original material.
Stylistic Artistry
The song's charm lies not just in its vocal melody, but also in its instrumental arrangement. Gershwin’s stylized piano parts exhibit expressionistic jazz elements, offering instrumentalists an exciting, dynamic piano score to play.

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