"Play a Simple Melody"is a song from the 1914 musical,Watch Your Step,with words and music byIrving Berlin.
Background
editThe show was the first stage musical that Berlin wrote. It ran for 175 performances at theNew Amsterdam TheaterinNew York City.The one song from the show that is well-remembered today is "Play a Simple Melody," one of the few true examples ofcounterpointin American popular music — a melody running against a second melody, each with independent lyrics. In the printed music, first the "simple melody" plays alone. Then comes the contrasting melody. Finally, the two play together.[1] The lyrics of "Play a Simple Melody" also track the counterpoint duet in that one singer yearns for the music which mother sang (the style of a bygone generation), but the other singer disdains such classic fare as lacking interest and rhythm. When "Play a Simple Melody" was published,ragtimewas in its heyday, led by its most consummate composer,Scott Joplin.In a famous 1916 recording of the song,[2]whileElsie Baker(using her stage name "Edna Brown" ) wants what she considers simplicity,Billy Murrayexplicitly asks for "rag". The song was also recorded by Walter Van Brunt and Mary Carson in 1915.[3]
Film appearances
edit"Play a Simple Melody" was featured in the1954movieThere's No Business Like Show Business,a movie starringEthel Merman,Dan Dailey,Donald O'Connor,Johnnie Ray,Mitzi Gaynor,andMarilyn Monroeshowcasing Irving Berlin songs from the whole of his career. In the movie, Merman and Dailey sang the song in a vaudeville sequence.
1950 recordings
edit- A duet byBingandGary CrosbywithMatty Matlock's All Stars (listed on the label as "Gary Crosby and Friend with Matty Matlock's All Stars" ) was recorded on June 23, 1950,[4]and became a hit recording in1950reaching the No. 2 position in theBillboardcharts.[5]It was released byDecca Recordsas catalog number 27112 with the flip side "Sam's Song."[6]Other charted versions in 1950 were byJo Stafford(#18),Georgia GibbswithBob Crosby(#25) andPhil Harris(#30).[5]
Other recordings
edit- Horst Jankowskirevived the song for hisMore Genius of Jankowski(1966)[7]His version also peaked at #19 onBillboard'sEasy Listeningchart.[8]
Popular culture
edit- In the 1960s, the song was the basis of a sketch on theMorecambe & Wiseshow featuring their writersDick Hills and Sid Green;it was later reprised on their 1976 Christmas Show withElton John.[9][10]
- Jean Stapletonperformed the song withFozzie Bearon episode 306 ofThe Muppet Show,premiered on October 5, 1978.
References
edit- ^Wilder, Alec(1972).American Popular Song: The Great Innovators, 1900-1950.New York:Oxford University Press.p.97.ISBN0-19-501445-6.
- ^Billy Murray & Edna Brown (Elsie Baker)."Collected Works of Billy Murray & Edna Brown (Elsie Baker)".Archive.org.Retrieved10 November2018.
- ^"Music VF search • Music VF, US & UK hits charts".Musicvf.Retrieved10 November2018.
- ^"A Bing Crosby Discography".BING magazine.International Club Crosby.RetrievedSeptember 19,2016.
- ^abWhitburn, Joel (1986).Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954.Wisconsin, USA: Record Research Inc. p.567.ISBN0-89820-083-0.
- ^"DECCA (USA) 78rpm numerical listing discography: 27000 - 27500".78discography.Retrieved10 November2018.
- ^"allmusic".RetrievedMay 19,2024.
- ^Whitburn, Joel(2002).Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-2001.Record Research. p. 125.
- ^"Two Of A Kind - Review".Morecambeandwise.Retrieved10 November2018.
- ^Video clip of the sketchonYouTube
External links
editFor links to a 1916 (public domain) recording ofBilly MurrayandElsie Bakerdueting on "Play a Simple Melody" go to theInternet Archive of Murray & Baker's "Simple Melody" duet.