Fascinating Rhythm

Fred Astaire, Adele Astaire

About Fascinating Rhythm

"Fascinating Rhythm" is a popular song written by George Gershwin in 1924 with lyrics by Ira Gershwin. It was first introduced by Cliff Edwards, Fred Astaire and Adele Astaire in the Broadway musical Lady Be Good. The Astaires also recorded the song on April 19, 1926 in London with George Gershwin on the piano (English Columbia 3968 or 8969). Many recorded versions exist. One of the rarest recordings is one by Joe Bari (a pseudonym of Anthony Dominick Benedetto, later better known as Tony Bennett) for Leslie Records in 1949 and issued as catalog number 919 with "Vieni Qui" as the flip side. Having rerecorded it as a duet with Diana Krall in 2018 for their duet album Love Is Here to Stay, he currently holds the Guinness World Record for the "longest time between the release of an original recording and a re-recording of the same single by the same artist"."Fascinating Rhythm" inspired the riff to the 1974 Deep Purple song "Burn". The 1926 Astaire/Gershwin version and a 1938 version by Hawaiian steel guitarist Sol Hoʻopiʻi have both been added to the Library of Congress's National Recording Registry of "culturally, historically, or aesthetically important" American sound recordings. 


Year:
1986
2:22
255 
#1

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Got a little rhythm, a rhythm, a rhythm
That pit-apats through my brain;
So darn persistent,
The day isn't distant
When it'll drive me insane.

Comes in the morning
Without any warning,
And hangs around me all day.
I'll have to sneak up to it
Someday, and speak up to it.
I hope it listens when I say

Fascinating Rhythm,
You've got me on the go!
Fascinating Rhythm, 
I'm all a-quiver.

What a mess you're making!
The neighbors want to know
Why I'm always shaking
Just like a flivver.
Each morning I get up with the sun 
Start a-hopping,
Never stopping 
O find at night no work has been done.

I know that
Once it didn't matter 
But now you're doing wrong
When you start to patter
I'm so unhappy.
Won't you take a day off?
Decide to run along
Somewhere far away off 
And make it snappy!

Oh, how I long to be the man I used to be!
Fascinating Rhythm,
Oh, won't you stop picking on me?

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Fred Astaire

Fred Astaire (born Frederick Austerlitz; May 10, 1899 – June 22, 1987) was an American film and Broadway stage dancer, choreographer, singer, musician and actor. His stage and subsequent film career spanned a total of 76 years, during which he made 31 musical films. He was named the fifth Greatest Male Star of All Time by the American Film Institute. He is particularly associated with Ginger Rogers, with whom he made ten films. more »

3 fans

Written by: Ira Gershwin, George Gershwin

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


8 facts about this song

Authors and Performers
"Fascinating Rhythm" is a classic tune written by the iconic Gershwin brothers, George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin. - The song was famously performed by American dancer, singer, and actor Fred Astaire.
Original Composition
George composed the music of "Fascinating Rhythm," while Ira penned down the lyrics. - The song was written in 1924 for the Broadway show "Lady Be Good!."
Early Performances
Fred Astaire, along with his sister Adele Astaire, first performed "Fascinating Rhythm" on the stage drama "Lady Be Good!". - Fred Astaire's version of the song became incredibly popular due to his expressive dance interpretation.
Musical Structure
"Fascinating Rhythm" is known for its syncopated, jazzy rhythm, making it a favorite amongst musicians and jazz lovers. - The song's irregular rhythmic patterns were groundbreaking for the 1920s, contributing to the evolution of Broadway music and American popular song.
Later Interpretations
Since its inception, "Fascinating Rhythm" has been covered by several famous artists, including Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, and Susannah McCorkle. - In 1959, it was rearranged by Nelson Riddle for Ella Fitzgerald's 'Ella Fitzgerald Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Songbook' - a significant jazz interpretation of the piece.
Cultural Impact
The song continues to be used in contemporary media and popular entertainment, maintaining its status as a timeless classic. - It has been featured in multiple film and television soundtracks over the years, including Woody Allen’s 1999 film "Sweet and Lowdown" and the 2018 movie "The Great Buster: A Celebration".
Recognition
"Fascinating Rhythm" is part of The Library of Congress's National Recording Registry for its "cultural, historical, or aesthetic significance".
based on a Painting
It's interesting to note that George Gershwin was inspired to write the song after seeing a painting by artist Paul Klee titled "With the Black Arch".

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