Friday, November 09, 2007

4:53 AM - Puttin’ on the Ritz

I've been browsing YouTube for music videos this week. Doesn't matter the genre. It could be rap, R&B, soul, funk, rock, new wave, or what have you.

I posted a couple of videos on the 1980s version of Puttin on the Ritz here earlier this year but both of those videos have been deleted from YouTube. This time I think that YouTube isn't likely to bother it so I post it now and delete those other posts that I already have here.

I always though of this song as a nice snappy song. Especially with that nice early 1980s sound (performed by this artist named Taco).

There were two version of this video I should add. This is the controversial version where the permorers here were in blackface. In another version of this video, those sequences with the performers in black face were edited out and in some shots headshots of movie legend Gary Cooper were inserted.

I decided to look up more about this song and found out that originally the lyrics were to reflect the fad of well to do New Yorkers going to black jazz clubs in Harlem. I decided to see if I can find the original lyrics of this song and excuse me if I call this Exhibit A.

Have you seen the well-to-do
Up and down Park Avenue
On that famous thoroughfare
With their noses in the air

High hats and narrow collars
White spats and fifteen dollars
Spending every dime
For a wonderful time

Now, if you're blue
And you don't know where to go to
Why don't you go where Harlem flits
Puttin' on the Ritz
Spangled Gowns upon the bevy of
High browns from down the levy
Always spits
Puttin' on the Ritz

That's where each and every lulu-belle goes
Every Thursday evening with her swell beaus
Rubbin' elbows

Come with me and we'll attend their jubilee
And see them spend
Their last two bits
Puttin' on the Ritz

- short instrumental break -

(Boys, look at that man puttin' on that Ritz)

Now, if you're blue
And you don't know where to go to
Why don't you go where Harlem flits
Puttin' on the Ritz
Spangled Gowns upon the bevy of
High browns from down the levy
All misfits
Puttin' on that certain Ritz

Come with me and we'll attend their jubilee
And see them spend
Their last two bits
Puttin' on the Ritz

Come with me and we'll attend their jubilee
And see them spend
Their last two bits
Puttin' on the Ritz