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Song

Written by
Composition date
May 1927
Copyright date
December 2, 1929
Language
English
ISWC
T-070.167.001-0 ASCAP, GEMA, ISWC, JASRAC
Comments
Published with two different sets of lyrics, since Irving Berlin rewrote the lyrics in 1946 for the Fred Astaire movie Blue Skies.

The original 1930 version goes as follows:
Have you seen the well-to-do, up on Lenox Avenue
On that famous thoroughfare, white spats and fifteen dollars
Spending every dime for a wonderful time
Refrain:
If you're blue and you don't know where to go to
Why don't you go where Harlem sits: puttin' on the Ritz
Spangled gowns upon a bevy of high browns
From down the levee, all misfits: puttin' on the Ritz
That's where each and ev'ry Lulu Bell goes
Ev'ry Thursday ev'ning with her swell beaus
Rubbing elbows
Come with me and we'll attend their jubilee
And see them spend their last two bits
Puttin' on the Ritz

The 1946 lyrics as first used by Fred Astaire:
Have you seen the well-to-do, up and down Park Avenue
On that famous thoroughfare, with their noses in the air
High hats and arrowed collars, white spats and lots of dollars
Spending every dime, for a wonderful time
Refrain:
If you're blue and you don't know where to go to
Why don't you go where fashion sits: puttin' on the ritz.
Different types who wear a daycoat, pants with stripes
And cut away coat, perfect fits: puttin' on the Ritz .
Dressed up like a million dollar trouper
Trying hard to look like Gary Cooper (super duper)
Come let's mix where Rockefellers walk with sticks
Or umbrellas in their mitts: puttin' on the Ritz

Tips his hat just like an english chappie
To a lady with a wealthy pappy (very snappy)
You'll declare it's simply topping to be there
And hear them swapping smart titbits: puttin' on the Ritz!
Published by
BERLIN-IRVING-MUSIC CO GEMA
BERLIN IRVING MUSIC CORP ASCAP
Licensing
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Added by Denis
Managed by CarlDennis

Adaptations

An adaptation is a musical work, which uses elements (music or lyrics) from another musical work.