The Lady Is a Tramp

"The Lady Is a Tramp" is a show tune from the 1937 Rodgers and Hart musical "Babes In Arms". This song is a sophisticated and witty spoof of New York high society and its strict etiquette (the first line of the verse is really significant: "I get too hungry for dinner at eight"..."). It has become a classic song in the pop standards/vocal genre. Several stars have recorded their own renditions.

It was also recorded and released in 1937 by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra, featuring Edythe Wright on vocals. In addition, it was recorded and released in 1937 by Midge Williams and Her Jazz Jesters.

It was recorded by Frank Sinatra in 1940s, Ella Fitzgerald in 1950s and Shirley Bassey in the 1960s, becoming a signature song for each of them. Sinatra also sang it in the film "Pal Joey". (In later years, as heard on the first "Duets" album, Sinatra would often alter the title lyric to "..."That's why this chick is a champ."). Fitzgerald would also in turn alter the lyrics, to praise Sinatra or Sidney Poitier "..."and for Frank Sinatra I whistle and stamp!". She and Sinatra sang the song as a duet on the 1967 television special "A Man and His Music + Ella + Jobim". Sammy Davis, Jr. made it a staple song in his live routines. Less conventional interpretations include versions by Alice Cooper, Yes and They Might Be Giants.

Lena Horne recorded the song with the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio Orchestra on March 30, 1948. Her performance appeared in the film, "Words and Music", a fictionalized biography of the partnership of Rodgers and Hart.

The song also features in the play "The Big Payback" sung by Ben Peake

External links

* [http://www.lorenzhart.org/babes.htm Babes in Arms songs]