An American in Paris - Songs

Composer: George Gershwin

Lyricist: Ira Gershwin

SynopsisDVDCast

The songs in "An American in Paris" were all originally used in earlier movies and some had been popular hits before the release of the movie.


I Got Rhythm

"I Got Rhythm" was first performed by Ethel Merman in the 1930 musical "Girl Crazy". Although it was originally written in 1928 with a slower tempo, it became a hit with the upbeat tempo heard in "Girl Crazy" and "An American in Paris." It has been recorded many times by popular and, more frequently, jazz artists, such as Lena Horne, Ella Fitzgerald, Ethel Waters, and Count Basie.

'S Wonderful

"'S Wonderful," like most of the songs from "An American in Paris," was written and published long before the movie was made. It was first performed in 1927 in the Broadway musical of "Funny Face." Many years later it was introduced to the movie musical audience in "An American in Paris" and again used in the 1957 movie of "Funny Face." Interestingly, its first introduction on the stage was by Adele Astaire and its last use in a movie was by her brother Fred. "'S Wonderful," like the other popular songs from "An American in Paris," has been recorded many times, especially with jazz renditions. Some popular recordings have been made by Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Lionel Hampton, and Shirley Bassey.

Our Love is Here to Stay

"Our Love is Here to Stay," originally published in 1938 for "The Goldwyn Follies" film, has also been a popular and jazz favorite. Some of the many recordings of the song include ones by Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Rod Stewart, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Natalie Cole, Smokey Robinson, and Louis Armstrong.

Embraceable You

"Embraceable You," written in 1928, was first published and sung in the Broadway musical, "Girl Crazy," in 1930. The first rendition of the song was sung by Ginger Rogers as she danced to choreography by Fred Astaire. Others who sang hit versions of the song included Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and, in more recent times, Rod Stewart. However, it was Billie Holiday's 1944 version that achieved the most notice and, in 2005, it was added to the Grammy Hall of Fame.

I'll Build a Stairway to Paradise

Nice Work If You Can Get It

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