View source for Puttin' On the Ritz

{{Short description|1929 song by Irving Berlin}}
{{other}}
{{Infobox song
| cover         = Puttin' On the Ritz US sheet music circa 1930.png
| caption       = US sheet music ({{circa|1930}})
| released      = December 2, 1929
| writer        = [[Irving Berlin]]
}}

"'''Puttin' On the Ritz'''" is a song written by [[Irving Berlin]]. He wrote it in May 1927 and first published it on December 2, 1929.{{sfn|Kimball|Emmet|2001|p=262}} It was registered as an unpublished song on August 24, 1927 and again on July 27, 1928.{{sfn|Kimball|Emmet|2001|p=262}} It was introduced by [[Harry Richman]] and chorus in the musical film ''[[Puttin' On the Ritz (film)|Puttin' On the Ritz]]'' (1930). According to ''The Complete Lyrics of Irving Berlin'', this was the first song in film to be sung by an interracial ensemble.{{sfn|Kimball|Emmet|2001|p=262}} The title derives from the [[slang]] expression "to put on the Ritz", meaning to dress very fashionably. This expression was inspired by the opulent [[The Ritz Hotel, London|Ritz Hotel]] in [[London]].

Hit [[gramophone record|phonograph records]] of the tune in its original period of popularity of 1929–1930 were recorded by [[Harry Richman]] and by [[Fred Astaire]], with whom the song is particularly associated.  Every other record label had their own version of this popular song (Columbia, Brunswick, Victor, and all of the dime store labels). Richman's Brunswick version of the song became the number-one selling record in America.{{sfn|Kimball|Emmet|2001|p=262}}

The song received renewed popularity in 1974 when it was performed by [[Gene Wilder]] and [[Peter Boyle]] in the film ''[[Young Frankenstein]]''.  Their version of "Puttin' On the Ritz" was ranked 84th in the [[American Film Institute]]'s 2004 list, [[AFI's_100_Years...100_Songs|100 Years...100 Songs]].  In 1982, [[Taco (musician)|Taco]], a Dutch musician, recorded and released a modernized version of the song.  Accompanied by a music video that aired on [[MTV]] and other music video networks, Taco's cover became a Top 10 hit in the United States, Canada, and much of Europe.  [[Kenny Yarbrough]] also recorded a cover of the song; this version was used as theme music for the short-lived 1991 sitcom ''[[Top of the Heap]]''.

==Musical structure==
The song is in [[Thirty-two-bar form|AABA form]], with a verse.{{sfn|Mueller|1986|p=267}} According to [[John Mueller]], the central device in the A section is the "use of delayed rhythmic resolution: a staggering, off-balance passage, emphasized by the unorthodox stresses in the lyric, suddenly resolves satisfyingly on a held note, followed by the forceful assertion of the title phrase". The marchlike B section, which is only barely [[Syncopation|syncopated]], acts as a contrast to the previous rhythmic complexities.{{sfn|Mueller|1986|p=267}} [[Alec Wilder]], in his study of American popular song, stated that the song's rhythmic pattern is "the most complex and provocative I have ever come upon".{{sfn|Mueller|1986|p=267}}

==Lyrics==

[[File:Clark Gable - Idiot's Delight.jpg|thumb|Clark Gable performs "Puttin' On the Ritz" in ''[[Idiot's Delight (film)|Idiot's Delight]]'' (1939)]]
The original version of Berlin's song included references to the then-popular fad of flashily dressed but poor [[Black people|black]] [[Harlem]]ites parading up and down [[Lenox Avenue]], "Spending ev'ry dime / For a wonderful time". In the United Kingdom, the song was popularized through the BBC's radio broadcasts of [[Joe Kaye's Band]] performing it at [[The Ritz Hotel, London]] restaurant in the 1930s.{{sfn|Montgomery-Massingberd|Watkin|Collie|1980|p=97}} 

===Original lyrics===
{{poemquote|Have you seen the well to do
Up on Lenox Avenue
On that famous thoroughfare
With their noses in the air?

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

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 levee, all misfits
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

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 the Ritz}}

The song was featured with the original lyrics in the 1939 film ''[[Idiot's Delight (film)|Idiot's Delight]]'', where it was performed by [[Clark Gable]] and chorus, and this routine was selected for inclusion in ''[[That's Entertainment!|That's Entertainment]]'' (1974). Columbia released a [[Gramophone record#78 rpm disc developments|78 recording]] of [[Fred Astaire]] singing the original lyrics in May 1930<ref>{{cite web|title= Puttin' On the Ritz / Crazy Feet |publisher= [[Rate Your Music]] |access-date= May 8, 2016 |url= http://rateyourmusic.com/release/single/fred_astaire/puttin_on_the_ritz___crazy_feet/}}</ref>{{deprecated source|certain=y|date=November 2024}} (B-side – "Crazy Feet", both recorded on March 26, 1930). For the film ''[[Blue Skies (1946 film)|Blue Skies]]'' (1946), where it was performed by Fred Astaire, Berlin revised the lyrics to apply to affluent whites strutting "up and down [[Park Avenue]]".{{sfn|Kimball|Emmet|2001|p=262}}{{efn-ua|"In the original version it told of the ritzy airs of [[Harlem]]ites parading up and down [[Lenox Avenue]]. For the 1946 film, the strutters became well-to-do whites on [[Park Avenue]]. The patronizing, yet admiring, satire of the song is shifted, then, and mellowed in the process. The change may have had to do with a growing awareness that stereotypical portrayal of minorities is offensive."{{sfn|Mueller|1986|p=267}}}} This second version was published after being registered for copyright on August 28, 1946.{{sfn|Kimball|Emmet|2001|p=262}}

==Taco version==
{{Infobox song
| name       = Puttin' On the Ritz
| cover      = Puttin' On the Ritz by Taco international sleeve variant A.png
| alt        =
| caption    = One of variants of the international picture sleeve
| type       = single
| artist     = [[Taco (musician)|Taco]]
| album      = [[After Eight (album)|After Eight]]
| B-side     = Livin' in My Dream World
| released   = 1982
| recorded   =
| studio     =
| genre      = [[Synth-pop]] 
| length     = 
*4:41 (album version)
*3:22 (7-inch version)
*6:08 (extended 12-inch version)
| label      = [[RCA Records|RCA]]
| writer     = Irving Berlin
| producer   = David Parker
| prev_title = Cheek to Cheek
| prev_year  = 1982
| next_title = [[Singin' in the Rain (song)|Singin' in the Rain]]
| next_year  = 1982
| misc       =  {{External music video|{{YouTube|id=YsGjFh1ke44|title="Puttin' On The Ritz"}}
{{YouTube|4OUnedMCCW0|"Puttin' On the Ritz" (''ZDF Silvester-Tanzparty'', 1983)}}}}
}}

In 1982, singer [[Taco (musician)|Taco]] released a [[synth-pop]] [[cover version]] of "Puttin' On the Ritz" as a single from his album ''After Eight'',<ref name="Bio">{{cite web|first= Jason |last= Ankeny |title= Taco – Artist Biography |publisher= [[AllMusic]] |access-date= May 8, 2016 |url= http://www.allmusic.com/artist/taco-mn0000019028/biography}}</ref> released in Europe on [[Polydor Records|Polydor]] and by [[RCA Records|RCA]] in the US. The single was accompanied by a music video, the original version of which contains characters in [[blackface]] and has since been banned from many networks.<ref>{{cite web|first= Matt |last= Koelling |title= The Five Spot: Five Hit Music Videos from the 80's That Wouldn't Fly Today |website= Something in the Wudder |date= October 10, 2016 |access-date= September 27, 2019 |url= http://www.somethinginthewudder.com/home/2016/10/8/the-five-spot-five-hit-music-videos-from-the-80s-that-wouldnt-fly-today}}</ref> An alternative version eliminates many shots of the blackface characters, though some remain.

The cover features [[interpolation (popular music)|interpolations]] of other Berlin-penned songs, such as, "[[Always (Irving Berlin song)|Always]]", "[[White Christmas (song)|White Christmas]]", "[[Alexander's Ragtime Band]]", and "[[There's No Business Like Show Business]]", as well as "Broadway Rhythm" from the film ''[[Broadway Melody of 1936]]'', which was written by [[Arthur Freed]] and [[Nacio Herb Brown]].<ref>{{cite web|title= Puttin' on the Ritz Interpolations|publisher= Genius |access-date= August 16, 2024 |url= https://genius.com/Taco-puttin-on-the-ritz-sample/interpolations}}</ref>

The single was a global hit, reaching No. 1 on ''[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]]''<ref name="Cashbox"/> as well as No. 4 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] chart,<ref name="awards"/> making Irving Berlin, then 95, the oldest ever living songwriter to have one of his compositions enter the top ten.<ref>{{cite web |title= Irving Berlin |publisher= Russian Heritage Museum |access-date= May 10, 2016 |url= http://russianheritagemuseum.com/en/RHM_Irving_Berlin/ |archive-date= June 1, 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220601121036/http://russianheritagemuseum.com/en/RHM_Irving_Berlin/ |url-status= dead }}</ref> It was certified [[Music recording sales certification|gold]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]] for selling over one million copies.<ref>{{cite web|title= RIAA – Gold & Platinum Searchable Database – Puttin' On the Ritz |publisher= [[Recording Industry Association of America]] |access-date= May 8, 2016 |url= https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Taco&ti=Puttin%27+On+the+Ritz#search_section}}</ref> It was Taco's only hit in the United States.<ref name="Bio"/> This version of the song was ranked No. 53 in [[VH1]]'s ''[[The Greatest (VH1 TV series)|100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of the 80s]]'' special.<ref>{{cite web|title= 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of the 80s: Read the List |publisher= [[VH1]] |date= April 1, 2009 |url= http://blog.vh1.com/2009-04-01/100-greatest-one-hit-wonders-of-the-80s-read-the-list-2/ |archive-date= August 6, 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090806041321/http://blog.vh1.com/2009-04-01/100-greatest-one-hit-wonders-of-the-80s-read-the-list-2/}}</ref>

The song topped the charts in Sweden and New Zealand, and entered the top 5 in numerous countries including Australia, Norway, Austria, and Canada.<ref name="AUS"/><ref name="BEL"/><ref name="CAN"/><ref name="Record"/>

===Chart history===
{{col-float|width=30em}}

====Weekly charts====
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
!Chart (1982–1983)
!Peak<br/>position
|-
|Australia ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref name="AUS">{{cite web|title= Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – CHART POSITIONS PRE 1989 |publisher= Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien |access-date= May 8, 2016 |url= http://australian-charts.com/forum.asp?todo=viewthread&id=21533&pages= |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131020025459/http://australian-charts.com/forum.asp?todo=viewthread&id=21533&pages= |archive-date= October 20, 2013}}</ref>
|align="center"|5
|-
{{singlechart|Austria|3|artist=Taco|song=Puttin' On The Ritz|access-date=May 8, 2016}}
|-
{{singlechart|Flanders|13|artist=Taco|song=Puttin' On The Ritz|access-date=May 8, 2016|refname="BEL"}}
|-
{{singlechart|Canadaadultcontemporary|1|chartid=6308|access-date=May 8, 2016}}
|-
{{singlechart|Canadatopsingles|2|chartid=6252|access-date=May 8, 2016|refname="CAN"}}
|-
|Canada (''[[The Record (magazine)|The Record]]'')<ref name="Record">{{cite book|first= Nanda |last= Lwin |author-link= Nanda Lwin |year= 1999 |title= Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide |publisher= Music Data Canada |isbn= 1-896594-13-1}}</ref>
|align="center"|4
|-
|Finland ([[Official Finnish Charts|Suomen virallinen lista]])<ref name = "Finland">{{cite book |url=https://musiikkiarkisto.fi/oa/_tiedostot/julkaisut/sisaltaa-hitin.pdf#page=253|first=Timo |last=Pennanen |year=2021 |title=Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 |section=Taco|page=253|publisher=Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava |location=Helsinki|access-date=June 18, 2022}}</ref>
|align="center"|1
|-
|France ([[Institut français d'opinion publique|IFOP]])<ref>{{cite web|title= Le Détail par Artiste |website= InfoDisc |access-date= May 8, 2016 |url= http://www.infodisc.fr/Tubes_Artistes_T.php |id= Select "Taco" from the artist drop-down menu |language= fr}}</ref>
|align="center"|74
|-
{{singlechart|Germany|20|artist=Taco|song=Puttin' On The Ritz|songid=915|access-date=May 8, 2016}}
|-
{{singlechart|Ireland2|24|artist=Taco|access-date=May 8, 2016}}
|-
{{singlechart|Dutch40|12|year=1983|week=16|access-date=May 8, 2016}}
|-
{{singlechart|Dutch100|18|artist=Taco|song=Puttin' On The Ritz|access-date=May 8, 2016}}
|-
{{singlechart|New Zealand|1|artist=Taco|song=Puttin' On The Ritz|access-date=May 8, 2016}}
|-
{{singlechart|Norway|2|artist=Taco|song=Puttin' On The Ritz|access-date=May 8, 2016}}
|-
|South Africa ([[Springbok Radio]])<ref>{{cite web|title= South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (T) |website= Rock.co.za |access-date= May 8, 2016 |url= http://www.rock.co.za/files/springbok_top_20_(T).html}}</ref>
|align="center"|3
|-
{{singlechart|Sweden|1|artist=Taco|song=Puttin' On The Ritz|access-date=May 8, 2016}}
|-
{{singlechart|Switzerland|6|artist=Taco|song=Puttin' On The Ritz|access-date=May 8, 2016}}
|-
|US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]<ref name="awards">{{cite web|title= Taco – Awards |publisher= [[AllMusic]] |access-date= May 8, 2016 |url= http://www.allmusic.com/artist/taco-mn0000019028/awards}}</ref>
|align="center"|4
|-
|US ''Billboard'' [[Adult Contemporary (chart)|Adult Contemporary]]<ref name="awards"/>
|align="center"|12
|-
|US ''Billboard'' [[Dance Club Songs|Hot Dance Club Play]]<ref name="awards"/>
|align="center"|37
|-
|US ''[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]]''<ref name="Cashbox">{{cite magazine|title= Cash Box Top 100 Singles |date=September 17, 1983 |magazine= [[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]] |url= http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/19830917.html |archive-date= September 13, 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120913113052/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/19830917.html}}</ref>
|align="center"|1
|}
{{col-float-break|width=30em}}

====Year-end charts====
{|class="wikitable sortable"
!Chart (1983)
!Rank
|-
|Australia ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref name="aus83">{{cite web |url=https://i.imgur.com/860ttad.jpg |title=Kent Music Report – National Top 100 Singles for 1983 |publisher=[[Kent Music Report]] |via=Imgur.com |access-date=January 22, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title= Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – Top 100 End of Year AMR Charts – 1980s |publisher= Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien |access-date= May 8, 2016 |url= http://australian-charts.com/forum.asp?todo=viewthread&id=40275 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141006134948/http://australian-charts.com/forum.asp?todo=viewthread&id=40275 |archive-date= October 6, 2014}}</ref>
|align="center"|34
|-
|Canada Top Singles (''[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|title= The Top Singles of 1983 |magazine= [[RPM (magazine)|RPM]] |volume= 39 |issue= 17 |date= 24 December 1983 |access-date= May 8, 2016 |url= http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.6699&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.6699.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.6699}}</ref>
|align="center"|14
|-
|New Zealand ([[Recorded Music NZ]])<ref>{{cite web|title= End of Year Charts 1983 |publisher= Recorded Music New Zealand |access-date= May 8, 2016 |url= https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/annual-singles/1983-12-31}}</ref>
|align="center"|22
|-
|South Africa ([[Springbok Radio]])<ref>{{cite web|title= Top 20 Hit Singles of 1983 |website= Rock.co.za |access-date= May 8, 2016 |url= http://www.rock.co.za/files/sahits_1983.html}}</ref>
|align="center"|16
|-
|US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]<ref>{{cite web|title= Top 100 Hits for 1983 |website= The Longbored Surfer |access-date= May 8, 2016 |url= http://longboredsurfer.com/charts/1983}}</ref>
|align="center"|31
|-
|US ''[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]]''<ref>{{cite magazine|title= The CASH BOX Year-End Charts: 1983 |magazine= [[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]] |url= http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/1983YESP.html |archive-date= September 11, 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120911042042/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/1983YESP.html}}</ref>
|align="center"|19
|}
{{col-float-end}}

====Certifications====
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=single|artist=Taco|title=Puttin' On the Ritz|award=Platinum|relyear=1983|certyear=1983}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Taco|title=Putting On the Ritz|award=Platinum|relyear=1983|id=1984-02-03|source=newchart|access-date=2024-11-20|certyear=1984}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Taco|title=Puttin' On the Ritz|award=Gold|relyear=1983|certyear=1983}}
{{Certification Table Bottom}}

==See also==
* ''[[Puttin' On the Ritz (film)|Puttin' On the Ritz]]'', a 1930 musical film directed by [[Edward Sloman]], featuring the song
* ''[[Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Irving Berlin Song Book]]'', 1958
* Puttin' on the Ritz, original and revised lyrics, at RagPiano by Bill Edwards (http://www.perfessorbill.com/lyrics/lyritz.htm)

==References==
===Notes===
{{reflist|group=upper-alpha}}

===Citations===
{{reflist}}

===Bibliography===
*{{cite book|editor1-first=Robert|editor1-last=Kimball|editor2-first=Linda|editor2-last=Emmet|year=2001|title=The Complete Lyrics of Irving Berlin|publisher=Knopf|isbn=0679419438}}
*{{cite book|first1=Hugh|last1=Montgomery-Massingberd|first2=David|last2=Watkin|first3=Keith|last3=Collie|year=1980|title=The London Ritz: a social and architectural history|publisher=[[Aurum Press|Aurum]]|isbn=978-0-906053-01-0|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_xBUAAAAMAAJ}}
*{{cite book|first=John|last=Mueller|year=1986|title= Astaire Dancing – The Musical Films|publisher=Hamish Hamilton|location=London|isbn=0-241-11749-6}}

==External links==
{{subject bar|auto=y|d=y|portal=jazz}}

{{Irving Berlin songs}}
{{Fred Astaire}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Songs about theatre]]
[[Category:Songs about dancing]]
[[Category:1929 songs]]
[[Category:1930 singles]]
[[Category:1982 singles]]
[[Category:Songs written by Irving Berlin]]
[[Category:Fred Astaire songs]]
[[Category:Cashbox number-one singles]]
[[Category:Number-one singles in New Zealand]]
[[Category:Number-one singles in Sweden]]
[[Category:United States National Recording Registry recordings]]
[[Category:RCA Records singles]]
[[Category:Music video controversies]]
[[Category:Taco (musician) songs]]
[[Category:Blackface minstrelsy]]
[[Category:Works subject to expurgation]]