Top Hat, White Tie and Tails

Fred Astaire

About Top Hat, White Tie and Tails

"Top Hat, White Tie and Tails" is a popular song written by Irving Berlin for the 1935 film Top Hat, where it was introduced by Fred Astaire. The song title refers to the formal wear required on a party invitation: top hat, white tie, and a tailcoat.


Year:
1993
2:36
52 

Lyrics currently unavailable…


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 »

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15 facts about this song

Release Information
"Top Hat, White Tie, and Tails" was released in 1935 as part of the film "Top Hat". The song was performed by the legendary actor, singer and dancer Fred Astaire.
Composer Details
The song was written and composed by Irving Berlin, one of the greatest songwriters in American history with a career spanning over five decades.
Film Recognition
The song is part of the 1935 musical film "Top Hat" which is widely recognized as one of the best musicals of Hollywood’s golden age.
Astaire's Performance
In the film, Astaire performs the song while executing one of his famous solo dance routines. His performance, featuring his tap dancing skills, is one of the film’s highlights.
Costume
Astaire's rendition of the song, where he appears dressed in ‘top hat, white tie, and tails’, has since become one of the quintessential images of the classic Hollywood era.
Cultural Impact
Since the release of "Top Hat", the song “Top Hat, White Tie and Tails” has become a shorthand for an older, more refined style of formal wear.
Grammy Hall of Fame
The film Top Hat along with the appended songs, including "Top Hat, White Tie, and Tails", was added to the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2004.
Cover and Tributes
The song has been covered by various artists since its release, including Ella Fitzgerald and Tony Bennett, indicating its lasting popularity.
Use in Other Films
"Top Hat, White Tie and Tails" was also sung by Wayne Newton in the 1981 film "The Adventures of Huck Finn".
Legacy
The song has become one of Irving Berlin's most iconic compositions and it continues to be a favorite among fans of classic Hollywood cinema and traditional pop music.
Signature Song
Although Astaire had a long and successful career both in film and music, "Top Hat, White Tie, and Tails" is often considered one of his signature songs.
Fashion Influence
The song and the corresponding film left a lasting influence on men's formal fashion. The phrase ‘top hat, white tie, and tails’ symbolizes the epitome of men's formal and classic Hollywood black tie dress code.
Modern Recordings
A few modern versions of the song exist, including Lawrence Welk and His Orchestra's recording made in Hollywood, June 11, 1958.
Acclaim for Astaire
Fred Astaire’s performance of the song in Top Hat is often cited as an excellent example of his singing and dancing talents.
Song Position
The song is performed about halfway through the film and serves as a kind of midpoint climax of the story, a showcase for Astaire’s talents and charisma.

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