What Are You Doing New Year's Eve

The Orioles

About What Are You Doing New Year's Eve

"What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" is a popular song written in 1947 by Frank Loesser as an independent song—not written for a particular movie or musical. It was first recorded by Margaret Whiting in 1947 and first charted for The Orioles, peaking at No. 9 on Billboard's Best-Selling Retail Rhythm & Blues chart in December 1949. Other charted versions include Danté & The Evergreens (No. 107 on Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles in December 1960) and Nancy Wilson (No. 17 on Billboard's Christmas Singles chart in December 1965 and No. 24 on the same chart in December 1967). Although it is typically performed in December, that was not the composer's intent. In A Most Remarkable Fella: Frank Loesser and the Guys and Dolls in His Life, his daughter Susan Loesser explains that "the singer, madly in love, is making a (possibly rash) commitment far into the future. ("Maybe it's much too early in the game. Ah, but I thought I'd ask you just the same--What are you doing New Year's, New Year's Eve?") It always annoyed my father when the song was sung during the holidays" (p. 61). 


Year:
2013
2:52
#1

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com

Maybe it's much too early in the game
Oh, but I thought I'd ask you just the same
What are you doing New Year's
New Year's Eve?

Wonder whose arms are holding you so tight
When it's exactly twelve o'clock at night
Welcoming in the New Year
New Year's Eve

Maybe I'm crazy to suppose
I'd ever be the one you chose
Out of a thousand invitations
You received

Well, but just in case I stand one little chance
Here comes the jackpot question in advance
What are you doing New Year's
New Year's Eve?

Maybe I'm crazy to suppose
I'd ever be the one that you chose
Out of a thousand invitations
You received

Well, but just in case I stand one little chance
Here comes the jackpot question in advance
What are you doing New Year's
New Year's Eve?

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com


The Orioles

The Orioles were a successful and influential American R&B group of the late 1940s and early 1950s, one of the earliest such vocal groups who established the basic pattern for the doo-wop sound. more »

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Written by: Frank Loesser

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Artist History
"The Orioles" are considered one of the earliest successful doo-wop groups in American music history, paving the way for the genre's enormous popularity in the 1950s and 1960s.
Song's Original Writer
"What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve" was written in 1947 by Frank Loesser, who also wrote songs for popular Broadway musicals like "Guys and Dolls" and "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying".
Song Release Details
The Orioles' rendition of "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve" was released in 1949.
Historic Prestige
The Orioles' version of “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve" is often regarded as one of the classic renditions of this song.
Chart Performance
The Orioles' "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve" reached number 9 on Billboard magazine's Race Records chart in early 1950.
Song's Genre
The Orioles' "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve" is classified under the rhythm and blues genre. The song also has an element of doo-wop style, a hallmark of The Orioles.
Cultural Impact
Despite being over 70 years old, "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve" by "The Orioles" is still played on radio during the holiday season, highlighting its timeless appeal.
Song Cover Versions
Numerous other artists have covered “What Are You Doing New Year's Eve", including Ella Fitzgerald, Harry Connick Jr., and Kacey Musgraves, showcasing the song's enduring popularity.
Unique Characteristics
The Orioles' rendition of "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve" is noted for its rich harmonies and soulful vocals, characteristic of the group's doo-wop sound.
The Orioles Lineup
The lineup of The Orioles during the recording of "What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve" included Sonny Til, Alexander Sharp, George Nelson, Johnny Reed, and Tommy Gaither.

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    "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 27 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/29306530/The+Orioles/What+Are+You+Doing+New+Year%27s+Eve>.

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