Table of Contents
Remembering George Gershwin, born on this day in 1898.
George Gershwin at the Piano “Oh, lady be good” performed by George Shearing
“Oh, Lady Be Good!” is a 1924 song by George and Ira Gershwin. It was introduced by Walter Catlett in the Broadway musical Lady, Be Good! written by Guy Bolton, Fred Thompson, and the Gershwin brothers and starring Fred and Adele Astaire. The song was also performed by the chorus in the film Lady Be Good (1941), although the film is unrelated to the musical.
Please, subscribe to our Library.
If you are already a subscriber, please, check our NEW SCORES’ page every month for new sheet music. THANK YOU!
Recordings in 1925 were by Paul Whiteman, Carl Fenton, and Cliff Edwards. A 1947 recording of the song became a hit for Ella Fitzgerald, notable for her scat solo. For her album Ella Fitzgerald Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Songbook (1959), it was sung as a ballad arranged by Nelson Riddle.
Recorded versions
- Rob Agerbeek – Three of a Kind (1998)
- Fred Astaire – rec. December 1952 – The Astaire Story
- Count Basie – rec. February 4, 1939 (Decca)
- Buck and Bubbles – rec. December 26, 1933 (Columbia)
- Kenny Burrell – rec. August 25, 1959 – On View at the Five Spot Cafe (Blue Note)
- Joe Carroll – The Man with the Happy Sound (1962)
- Cliff “Ukulele Ike” Edwards – rec. January 2, 1925
- Carl Fenton and His Orchestra – recorded on December 11, 1924 (Brunswick)
- Ella Fitzgerald – with Bob Haggart (1947)
- Ella Fitzgerald – rec. 1959 – Ella Fitzgerald Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Songbook
- Benny Goodman Trio – rec. April 27, 1936 as the B–side of China Boy (Victor)
- The Gordons with Dizzy Gillespie and Stuff Smith – rec. April 17, 1957
- Jack Hylton and his Orchestra – rec. March 29, 1926
- Buddy Lee with the Gilt–Edged Four – rec. May 17, 1926 (Columbia)
- Charlie Parker and Lester Young for Jazz at the Philharmonic, January 28, 1946
- Dianne Reeves – We All Love Ella: Celebrating the First Lady of Song (2007)
- Slim & Slam – rec. May 3, 1938 (Vocalion)
- Mel Tormé and Buddy Rich – Together Again: For the First Time (1978)
- Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra – rec. December 29, 1924 (Victor)
- John Wilson Orchestra– Gershwin in Hollywood, live at the Royal Albert Hall (2016)
- Django Reinhardt– Django Reinhardt swing de Paris 4 CD set (2003)
See also
“When Lester Young played on the second chorus, the jazz world was introduced to another way of playing the tenor saxophone … Jazz would never be the same.” | ||
– Chris Tyle |
As improvisational vehicles, many songs could not endure the transition from the loose Dixieland style of the “Roaring Twenties” to the smooth, swing sound of the 1930’s. They were dropped from jazz musicians’ catalogs, performances, and recordings and relegated to period collections and specialty bands.
There are, however, a handful of songs written in the mid-twenties or earlier that have persisted as the topmost jazz standards: WC Handy’s “St. Louis Blues” (1914); the Ken Casey, Maceo Pinkard, Ben Bernie composition “Sweet Georgia Brown” (1925); and George and Ira Gershwin’s “The Man I Love” (1924) and “Oh, Lady Be Good” (1924).
Walter Catlett introduced “Oh, Lady Be Good!” on the stage of the Liberty Theater December 1st 1924. The song was included in the Broadway Musical Lady, Be Good! a popular show that would run for 330 performances. The show starred Fred and Adele Astaire, Walter Catlett, Alan Edwards, Jayne Auburn, Kathlene Martyn, and Cliff Edwards. It opened to generally favorable reviews, with the critics raving about the Astaires’ footwork and the “jazzy” Gershwin score.
In 1925 “Oh, Lady Be Good!” went on to become a pop chart hit three times with Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra (1925, instrumental, #2) Carl Fenton and his Orchestra (1925, instrumental, #9) Cliff Edwards (1925, #13) |
Best Sheet Music download from our Library.
Lady Be Good was one of several shows in 1924 that represented a significant departure from the romantic operetta style. According to Edward Jablonski’s book Gershwin: A Biography, these pioneering productions were “… brittle in tone, ‘smart,’ characterized by athletic dances, tongue-in-cheek love songs”; in other words, forerunners of the modern musical comedy.
“Oh, Lady Be Good!” was one of a dozen songs in the all-Gershwin Broadway score. Also becoming hits were “So Am I,” “Little Jazz Bird,” “The Half of It, Dearie, Blues,” and “Fascinating Rhythm.” Lady Be Good was also a turning point in the career of Cliff Edwards. Edwards’ ukulele rendition of “Fascinating Rhythm” stole the show and would prove to be the beginning of a string of Broadway appearances for him.
Browse in the Library:
Artist or Composer / Score name | Cover | List of Contents |
---|---|---|
Trinity Classical Guitar 2020-2023 INITIAL | ||
Trinity Classical Guitar Grade 05 2010-2015 | ||
Trinity Electronic Keyboard Grade 1 Pieces & Technical work | Trinity Electronic Keyboard Grade 1 | |
Trinity Electronic Keyboard Grade 2 Pieces & Technical work | Trinity Electronic Keyboard Grade 2 | |
Trinity Electronic Keyboard Grade 6 Pieces & Technical work | Trinity Electronic Keyboard Grade 6 | |
Trinity Electronic Keyboard Grade 7 Pieces & Technical work | Trinity Electronic Keyboard Grade 7 | |
Trinity Electronic Keyboard Initial Grade 2019-2022 | ||
Trinity Electronic Keyboard Initial Pieces and Technical Work 2015-2018 | ||
Trinity Electronic Keyboard Sample Booklet | ||
Trinity Guitar 2016 2019 Grade 1 | ||
Trinity Guitar 2016 2019 Grade 2 | ||
Trinity Guitar 2016 2019 Grade 3 | ||
Trinity Guitar 2016 2019 Grade 4 | ||
Trinity Guitar 2016 2019 Grade 5 | ||
Trinity Guitar 2016 2019 Grade 6 | ||
Trinity Guitar 2016 2019 Grade 7 | ||
Trinity Guitar 2016 2019 Grade 8 | ||
Trinity Guitar 2016 2019 Initial | ||
Trinity Guitar Initial to Grade 5 Scales Arpeggios and studies | ||
Trinity Piano Grade 1 Pieces and exercises 2018 2020 | Trinity Piano Grade 1 Pieces and exercises 2018 2020 | |
Trinity Piano Grade 2 Pieces and exercises 2018 2020 | ||
Trinity Piano Grade 3 Pieces and exercises 2018 2020 | ||
Trinity Piano Grade 5 Pieces and exercises | ||
Trinity Piano Grade 6 (2021-2023) Extended Edition | Trinity Piano Grade 6 (2021-2023) Extended Edition | |
Trinity Piano Grade 6 Pieces and exercises | ||
Trinity Piano Initial Piano 2018-2020 | Trinity Piano Initial Piano 2018-2020 | Trinity Piano Initial Piano 2018-2020 |
Trinity Piano Pieces And Exercises Grade 1 2015 2017 | Trinity Piano Pieces And Exercises Grade 1 2015 2017 | |
Trinity Piano Pieces And Exercises Grade 2 2015 2017 | Trinity Piano Pieces And Exercises Grade 2 2015 2017 | |
Trinity Piano Pieces Grade 1 2021-2023 | Trinity Piano Pieces Grade 1 2021-2023 | |
Trinity Piano Pieces Grade 2 12 Piano Pieces 2021-2023 | Trinity Piano Pieces Grade 2 12 Piano Pieces 2021-2023 | |
Trinity Rock and Pop Guitar Grade 8 (Contemporary and classic songs) with Tablature | Trinity Rock and Pop Guitar Grade 8 (Contemporary and classic songs) | |
Trinity Sight Reading Book 1 Sound at sight Piano | ||
Trinity Theory Of Music Workbook Grade 1 | Trinity Theory Of Music Workbook Grade 1 | |
True Silent Hill-2- Akira-Yamaoka | ||
Truman Show, The Reunion Philip Glass | ||
Trumpet Method Allen Vizzutti Trumpet Method Book 1 2 3 Complete | ||
Trumpet Method Anthony Plog Method For Trumpet Complete 7 books | ||
Trumpet Omnibook For B Flat Instruments Transcribed Exactly From Artist Recorded Solos | Trumpet Omnibook For B Flat Instruments Transcribed Exactly From Artist Recorded Solos | |
Trumpet Solos, Easy (The Canadian Brass) | ||
Trumpet, The (John Wallace, Alexander McGrattan) Yale Musical Instruments Series (Book) | ||
Tsim Sha Tsui Stroll (Lust, Caution OST) Alexandre Desplat | ||
Tu vuo’ fa’ l’Americano (Renato Carosone) | ||
Tubular Bells (Mike Oldfield) | ||
Tubular Bells Intro – Mike Oldfield (Musescore File).mscz | ||
Tuck Andress Europa by Carlos Santana guitar TABs | ||
Tuck Everlasting (The Musical) Music By Chris Miller Lyrics By Nathan Tysen (Piano Vocal Selections) | Tuck Everlasting (The Musical) Music By Chris Miller Lyrics By Nathan Tysen (Piano Vocal Selections) | |
Tunes For Ten Fingers A First Piano Book By Pauline Hall (Oxford) | ||
TV and Movie Themes (Piano, Vocal, Guitar) | TV and Movie Themes (Piano, Vocal, Guitar) | |
TV Detective Themes For Solo Piano | TV Detective Themes For Solo Piano | |
TV Fake Book, The | TV Fake Book, The | |
TV Songs Big Book Of TV Theme Songs 2nd Edition Piano Vocal Guitar | TV Songs Big Book Of TV Theme Songs 2nd Edition Piano Vocal Guitar Contents | |
Twelve Etudes Op 8 No 12 Scriabin (Musescore File).mscz | ||
Twenty One Pilots – Goner | ||
Twenty One Pilots – Heathens – Piano | ||
Twenty One Pilots – Stressed Out Sheet Music | Twenty One Pilots – Stressed Out Sheet Music | |
Twenty-Four Italian Songs And Arias Medium High | Twenty-Four Italian Songs And Arias, Medium High | |
Twice – Knock Knock Piano Solo | ||
Twilight – The Score – Carter Burwell | Twilight – The Score – CArter Burwell | |
Twilight saga – New Moon Music Score for Piano Solo Alexandre Desplat | Twilight.New.Moon.Music.Score.for.Piano.Solo).Alexandre.Desplat | |
Twin Peaks – Audreys Dance Angelo Badalamenti | ||
Twin Peaks – Laura Palmers Theme Angelo Badalamenti | ||
Twin Peaks – Twin Peaks Theme Angelo Badalamenti | ||
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Variations Suzuki Guitar Vol. 1 (Musescore File).mscz | ||
Two Socks theme (Dances with Wolves OST) John Barry | ||
Two Steps From Hell Blackheart Piano Sheet Music by Thomas Bergersen | ||
Two Steps From Hell Flight Of The Silverbird (Piano Solo) Thomas Bergersen | ||
Two Steps from Hell Invincible Sheet Music | ||
Two Steps From Hell Star Sky by Thomas Bergersen | ||
Txarango – La Dansa Del Vestit En Fa M | ||
Tymoczko, Prof. Dimitri MUSXI 105 Handouts 1 | Book Theory | |
Tymoczko, Prof. Dimitri MUSIC 106 Handouts | Book Theory | |
U2 The Piano Collection | U2 The Piano Collection | |
U2 – All I Want Is U | ||
U2 – Best Of – (Guitar Tab Songbook) | U2 – Best Of – (Guitar Tab Songbook) Contents — U2 – Best Of – (Guitar Tab Songbook) | |
U2 – How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb (guitar tab songbook) | U2 – How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb (guitar tab songbook) Contents — U2 – How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb (guitar tab songbook) | |
U2 – October | ||
U2 – Stuck In A Moment You Cant Get Out Of | ||
U2 – The Best of 1990-2000 (Songbook) – U2 sheet music | U2 – The Best of 1990-2000 (Songbook) – U2 sheet music | |
U2 – The Best Of U2 (recorded versions) Guitar with TABs | U2 – Best Of – (Guitar Tab Songbook) | |
U2 – The Sweetest Thing | ||
U2 Rock Score 5 Great Songs | ||
U2 The Joshua Tree Guitar Songbook with TABs | U2 The Joshua Tree Guitar Songbook | |
U2 WAR | U2 WAR | |
UB40 The Best Of – Piano, vocal & Guitar Songbook | UB40 The Best Of – Piano, vocal & Guitar Songbook | |
Ubi Caritas – Ola Gjeilo (Musescore File).mscz | ||
Ubi Caritas -Ola Gjeilo-with piano improvisation | ||
Ukelele Chord Finder – Easy to use Guide | ||
Ukrainian folk song.mscz | ||
Ukulele – 3-Chord Christmas Carols For Ukulele (Guitar Songbook Sheet Music) 30 Holiday Favorites With Just 3 Chords | Ukulele – 3-Chord Christmas Carols For Ukulele (Guitar Songbook Sheet Music) 30 Holiday Favorites With Just 3 Chords | |
Ukulele – Simple Songs For Ukulele (Guitar Sheet Music) | Ukulele – Simple Songs For Ukulele (Guitar Sheet Music) | |
Ukulele – The Daily Ukulele (Songbook) – Jim Beloff Guitar Sheet Music | ||
Ukulele for Kids Songbook Ukulele Method | ||
Ultimate 80s Songs | Ultimate 80s Songs | |
Ultimate Guitar Chord-Book | ||
Ultimate Guitar Songbook with TABs | Ultimate Guitar Songbook, The (110 songs) | |
Ultimate Latin Piano Riffs – Carlos Campos & Andrew D.Gordon | Ultimate Latin Piano Riffs – Carlos Campos & Andrew D.Gordon | |
Umberto Tozzi Gloria – Piano Vocal | ||
Un air de liberté (Et maintenant on va où OST) Khaled Mouzanar | ||
Un anno d’amore (Mina) | ||
Un Homme et son Chien (Philippe Rombi) | ||
Un Monstre À Paris La Seine And I By Vanessa Paradis & Sean Lennon (Piano Vocal) | ||
Un Monstre à Paris – La Seine And I by Vanessa Paradis & Sean Lennon (Piano vocal).mscz | ||
Una Mattina (Musescore File).mscz | ||
Unchained Melody (Sheet Music) – The Righteous Brothers | ||
Under The Sea Ukulele Guitar From The Little Mermaid | ||
Under The Sea – Ukulele Guitar.mscz | ||
Understanding chord progressions for Guitar by Arnie Berle | Understanding chord progressions for Guitar | |
Understanding The Fundamentals Of Classical Music Course Guide Modern Scholar (Book) | ||
Undertale Full OST – Toby Fox | ||
Undertale Megalovania Piano – Toby Fox | ||
Undertale – Home | ||
Undertale – Megalovania | ||
Undertale OST – Hopes and Dreams Save the World | ||
UNDERTALE OST – Hopes and Dreams Save the World Piano Solo.mscz | ||
Undertale OST – Hopes and DreamsSave the World.mscz | ||
Undertale Ost – Nyeh Heh Heh! Bonetrousle | ||
Une Heure de Plus (Erik Berchot) | ||
Unfaithful (Rihanna) | ||
Unfinished Music – Richard Kramer | ||
Unforgettable – Irving Gordon (Nat King Cole Song) (Musescore File).mscz |