Let's Call the Whole Thing Off

Fred Astaire

About Let's Call the Whole Thing Off

"Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" is a song written by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin for the 1937 film Shall We Dance, where it was introduced by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers as part of a celebrated dance duet on roller skates. The music is marked "Brightly". The song is most famous for its "You like tomato / And I like to-mah-to " and other verses comparing their different regional dialects. The differences in pronunciation are not simply regional, however, but serve more specifically to identify class differences. At the time, typical American pronunciations were considered less "refined" by the upper-class, and there was a specific emphasis on the "broader" a sound. This class distinction with respect to pronunciation has been retained in caricatures, especially in the theater, where the longer a pronunciation is most strongly associated with the word "darling."The song was ranked No. 34 on AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs. 


Year:
1953
4:39
69 

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Things have come to a pretty pass, 
Our romance is growing flat,
For you like this and the other
While I go for this and that.
Goodness knows what the end will be,
Oh, I don't know where I'm at
It looks as if we two will never be one,
Something must be done.

You say either and I say ether,
You say neither and I say nether,
Either, ether, neither, nyther,
Let's call the whole thing off!
You like potato and I like potahto,
You like tomato and I like tomahto,
Potato, potahto, tomato, tomahto!
Let's call the whole thing off!
But oh! If we call the whole thing off,
Then we must part.
And oh!  If we ever part,
Then that might break my heart!
So, if you like pajamas and I like pajahmas,
I'll wear pajamas and give up pajahmas.
For we know we need each other, 
So we better call the calling off off.
Let's call the whole thing off!

You say laughter and I say lawfter,
You say after and I say awfter,
Laughter, lawfter, after, awfter,
Let's call the whole thing off!
You like vanilla and I like vanella,
You, sa's'parilla and I sa's'parella,
Vanilla, vanella, Choc'late, strawb'ry!
Let's call the whole thing off!
But oh! If we call the whole thing off,
Then we must part
And oh! If we ever part, 
Then that might break my heart
So, if you go for oysters and I go for ersters
I'll order oysters and cancel the ersters
For we know we need each other,
So we better call the calling off off
Let's call the whole thing off

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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Music Composition and Lyrics
The song "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" is composed by George Gershwin and the lyrics were written by his brother Ira Gershwin.
Performance
The most famous performance of "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" was by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in the 1937 film "Shall We Dance".
Legacy
This song is recognized in the American Film Institute's "100 Years...100 Songs" list of the greatest songs in the history of American cinema, where it ranked number 34.
Context
The song's lyrics humorously highlight the differences in pronunciation between the English-speaking upper and lower classes, with each insisting their pronunciation is correct.
Featuring Scene
The song is featured in a memorable scene in the film "Shall We Dance" where Astaire and Rogers perform a dance on roller skates.
Cover Versions
Since its original release, there have been many cover versions of "Let's Call The Whole Thing Off" by various popular artists. Some of them include Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and Billie Holiday.
Andrews Sisters Version
The Andrews Sisters recorded the most successful pop version of the song, which peaked at #9 in 1937.
Song's Message
The song is used in the film to sum up the central dilemma facing the Astaire character: his professional career conflicts with his personal life.
Significance
Even beyond the context of the film, "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" can be seen as a commentary on the inherent difficulties in any relationship, emphasizing that constant arguments over trivial things can lead to the end of the relationship.
Popular Culture Reference
This song has been referenced in popular culture including TV shows and movies like "Friends" and "Glee", showing its continued influence and popularity.

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