Begin the Beguine

Cole Porter, Rhythmakers, Joe Haymes

About Begin the Beguine

Not to be confused with the R. E. M. song "Begin the Begin" or the television episode "Begin the Begin" (Grey's Anatomy)."Begin the Beguine" is a popular song written by Cole Porter. Porter composed the song between Kalabahi, Indonesia, and Fiji during a 1935 Pacific cruise aboard Cunard's ocean liner Franconia. In October 1935, it was introduced by June Knight in the Broadway musical Jubilee, produced at the Imperial Theatre in New York City.


Year:
2014
36 
#1

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When they begin the beguine 
It brings back the sound of music so tender,
It brings back a night of tropical splendor,
It brings back a memory ever green.

I'm with you once more under the stars,
And down by the shore an orchestra's playing
And even the palms seem to be swaying
When they begin the beguine.

To live it again is past all endeavor,
Except when that tune clutches my heart,
And there we are, swearing to love forever,
And promising never, never to part.

What moments divine, what rapture serene,
Till clouds came along to disperse the joys we had tasted,
And now when I hear people curse the chance that was wasted,
I know but too well what they mean;

So don't let them begin the beguine 
Let the love that was once a fire remain an ember;
Let it sleep like the dead desire I only remember 
When they begin the beguine.

Oh yes, let them begin the beguine, make them play 
Till the stars that were there before return above you,
Till you whisper to me once more,
"Darling, I love you!"
And we suddenly know, what heaven we're in,
When they begin the beguine

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Cole Porter

Cole Albert Porter (June 9, 1891 – October 15, 1964) was an American composer and songwriter. Born to a wealthy family in Indiana, he defied the wishes of his domineering grandfather and took up music as a profession. Classically trained, he was drawn towards musical theatre. After a slow start, he began to achieve success in the 1920s, and by the 1930s he was one of the major songwriters for the Broadway musical stage. Unlike most successful Broadway composers, Porter wrote both the lyrics and the music for his songs. more »

2 fans

Written by: COLE PORTER

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Song Creation
"Begin the Beguine" was written by American composer and songwriter, Cole Porter, in 1935.
Composer Inspiration
The song was written while Cole Porter was on a Pacific cruise. He was inspired by the native dancers he saw on the island of Moorea which is located in French Polynesia.
Model Song
The song is a good example of Cole Porter's unique approach to song composition. It's famous for its unconventional length and structure compared to other songs during that era.
First Performance
"Begin the Beguine" first appeared in the musical number "Jubilee", which was performed at Broadway's Imperial Theater in 1935.
Initially Unpopular
Ironically, while "Begin the Beguine" is now a beloved classic, it was not a major hit when it was initially performed.
Swing Era Hit
The song became popular after it was performed by Artie Shaw and his orchestra in 1938. Their version turned "Begin the Beguine" into a swing era classic.
Diverse Covers
Over the years, "Begin the Beguine" has been performed and recorded by numerous artists across diverse genres. This includes jazz musicians like Ella Fitzgerald and pop artists like Julio Iglesias.
Notable Performances
Notable performances include Frank Sinatra, who performed it in the 1946 film "Night and Day," and Ella Fitzgerald, who included it in her 1956 album "Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Songbook."
Song Lyrics
The lyrics of the song are a poetic reflection of the longing and nostalgia of a love affair that has ended.
Song Recognition
The song was listed on the National Public Radio's list of the 100 most important American musical works of the 20th century.
Song's Meaning
The word "Beguine" refers to a style of dance and music that originates from the French-Speaking Caribbean. As such, it's likely Cole Porter used the term metaphorically to represent the beginning of a passionate and intense relationship.

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