42nd Street (song)
| "42nd Street" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Ruby Keeler, Dick Powell & Ensemble | |
| Released | 1933 |
| Genre | Musicals |
| Label | Warner Bros. |
| Composer(s) | Harry Warren |
| Lyricist(s) | Al Dublin |
"42nd Street" is the title song from the 1933 Warner Bros. backstage musical film 42nd Street, with music by Harry Warren and lyrics by Al Dubin. The song was published in 1932. It is the finale of the film, where it was sung by Ruby Keeler, Dick Powell and ensemble. It was used again in 1980 when the film was adapted as a long-running Broadway musical.[1] In 2004 the song placed #97 in AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs survey of the top tunes in American cinema.
Cover versions
- Popular recordings in 1933 were by Don Bestor & His Orchestra (vocal by Dudley Mecum) and by Hal Kemp & His Orchestra (vocal by Skinnay Ennis).[2]
- The Boswell Sisters also recorded the song on April 11, 1933 for Brunswick Records (catalog No. 6545A).[3]
- Joseph Robichaux and his New Orleans Rhythm Boys recorded a very hot jazz instrumental version on August 25, 1933.
- Diana Krall included the song on her album Stepping Out (1993).[4]
- Mel Torme - Mel Tormé Sings Sunday in New York & Other Songs About New York (1964).[5]
- Frankie Vaughan - Love Hits and High Kicks (1985).[6]
In popular culture
The music inspired the title song to the Indian Hindi language film Sabse Bada Rupaiya. The song "Sabse Bada Rupaiya" would be used again in another Indian "Bollywood" film Bluffmaster (2005).[7]
The song was used in the 1940 Warner Bros. film City for Conquest, starring James Cagney and Ann Sheridan when it was played at various times throughout the picture.
Warner Bros. cartoon musical director Carl Stalling often used the song in cartoons in urban settings. In Daffy Doodles, it is used in a scene involving a subway train.
References
- ^ "42nd Street", Internet Broadway Database, accessed February 26, 2013
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. p. 500. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
- ^ "The Online Discographical Project". 78discography.com. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
- ^ "allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
- ^ "allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
- ^ "Discogs.com". Discogs.com. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
- ^ "Various The Essential Guide To Bollywood CD". UnionSquareMusic.co.uk. 2008-06-23. Archived from the original on 2008-06-23. Retrieved 2012-07-11.