When I saw the word “Romance” in the spotlight, the first song I thought of was “A Fine Romance”, sung by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, written by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields. I admit that its lyrics are not all that lofty (“A fine romance, my fine fellow/You take romance, I’ll take Jell-o”) and are of its time (“You’re just as hard to land as the Ile de France/I never get the chance. This is a fine romance”). As an ocean liner enthusiast I give it extra points. I must say, though, that “Isn’t it Romantic” is a real treat. Thank you.
None of the lyrics on the amusing film clip quite matched the ones which sprang up in my head when I first saw your chosen song title—even allowing for my occasional la,la,la fill-ins. The “right” ones, which I found by doodling around the Internet, are those sung by Ella Fitzgerald.
Actually, I was surprised to see “Isn’t It Romantic”. I thought this week’s song was sure to be “Romance” from “The Desert Song”.
Mary, I was in a quandary. There were a number of good choices for today! Yes, the words in the clip were written for the goofy film. So Larry Hart had to write a more typical lyric for the song to be sung on its own. And it was Ella, I believe, who premiered that revised version.
OMG: The great lyrics of Laurence Hart match the music of Richard Rodger’s, but this may only be appreciated in a performance based on the NON-JAZZED UP SWING TREATMENT made by the masterful academic treatment of Joan Morris and Dr. William Balkin of the University of Michigan College of Music a generation ago, and the sensitive treatment of the master Manhattan performer and impresario of the Tin Pan Alley Standards Michael Feinstein. There’s a Big difference when you hear the standards played in try he style in which they were written!
I agree with you, Charles. In fact, I looked in vain for an appropriate rendering of this song online, but I can only use what's available free in my posts. I have loved Rodgers and Hart for a long time. This song is a masterpiece. Imagine Jack Warner giving them the boot after he tried to use them for hack writers!
Thanks. The performance I speak of is not readily available these days. Why? Is no one interested in AUTHENTIC Ton Pan Alley? I guess. I compare this to today’s school curricula’s rejection of the great literary classics in favor of J. K. Rowling!
The schools and our public libraries have been "purging" the classics for decades not. And Rowling isn't the worst of that they offer by far. I've heard the contemporary covers of The Songbook, and they all leave me cold, to be honest. I'm glad that some interest in the music has been revived, but the performers haven't the heart for it.
Father, you said it. The modern answer to greatness is to denigrate and discard it. That's how you kill a culture. Let him who has ears to hear listen to this sublime little masterpiece!
When I saw the word “Romance” in the spotlight, the first song I thought of was “A Fine Romance”, sung by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, written by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields. I admit that its lyrics are not all that lofty (“A fine romance, my fine fellow/You take romance, I’ll take Jell-o”) and are of its time (“You’re just as hard to land as the Ile de France/I never get the chance. This is a fine romance”). As an ocean liner enthusiast I give it extra points. I must say, though, that “Isn’t it Romantic” is a real treat. Thank you.
Margaret, as I said to someone else (below), there were a LOT of options! I'm glad you enjoyed the song I finally settled on!
None of the lyrics on the amusing film clip quite matched the ones which sprang up in my head when I first saw your chosen song title—even allowing for my occasional la,la,la fill-ins. The “right” ones, which I found by doodling around the Internet, are those sung by Ella Fitzgerald.
Actually, I was surprised to see “Isn’t It Romantic”. I thought this week’s song was sure to be “Romance” from “The Desert Song”.
Mary, I was in a quandary. There were a number of good choices for today! Yes, the words in the clip were written for the goofy film. So Larry Hart had to write a more typical lyric for the song to be sung on its own. And it was Ella, I believe, who premiered that revised version.
OMG: The great lyrics of Laurence Hart match the music of Richard Rodger’s, but this may only be appreciated in a performance based on the NON-JAZZED UP SWING TREATMENT made by the masterful academic treatment of Joan Morris and Dr. William Balkin of the University of Michigan College of Music a generation ago, and the sensitive treatment of the master Manhattan performer and impresario of the Tin Pan Alley Standards Michael Feinstein. There’s a Big difference when you hear the standards played in try he style in which they were written!
I agree with you, Charles. In fact, I looked in vain for an appropriate rendering of this song online, but I can only use what's available free in my posts. I have loved Rodgers and Hart for a long time. This song is a masterpiece. Imagine Jack Warner giving them the boot after he tried to use them for hack writers!
Thanks. The performance I speak of is not readily available these days. Why? Is no one interested in AUTHENTIC Ton Pan Alley? I guess. I compare this to today’s school curricula’s rejection of the great literary classics in favor of J. K. Rowling!
The schools and our public libraries have been "purging" the classics for decades not. And Rowling isn't the worst of that they offer by far. I've heard the contemporary covers of The Songbook, and they all leave me cold, to be honest. I'm glad that some interest in the music has been revived, but the performers haven't the heart for it.
The movie clip was an entertaining heartwarmer, thank you!
Thank you! I thought the clip was just charming.
Certainly one of the greatest films, of that time, or this. Silly and profound all at once.
I agree!
Sigh. It IS the perfect song. Why can’t we have nice things like that anymore?
Father, you said it. The modern answer to greatness is to denigrate and discard it. That's how you kill a culture. Let him who has ears to hear listen to this sublime little masterpiece!