Fascinating Rhythm

usps_gershwin
PROFILE
Composer George Gershwin
Lyricist Ira Gershwin
Year Written 1924
About Fascinating Rhythm
Written in 1924 for the Broadway musical Lady Be Good, “Fascinating Rhythm” was introduced by Cliff Edwards and Fred and Adele Astaire. The Astaires also recorded the song in 1926 with Gershwin on piano. “Fascinating Rhythm” was, and still is, a jazz number. For that reason, it has never been out of favor with jazz artists, both vocal and instrumental.

Lyrics

Fascinating rhythm
You got me on the go
Fascinating rhythm, I’m all a-quiver

What a mess you’re making
The neighbors want to know
Why I’m always shaking just like a flivver

Each morning I’m up with the sun
To find at night no work has been done

I know that once it didn’t matter
But now you’re doing wrong
When you start to patter I’m so unhappy

Won’t you take a day off?
Decide to run along somewhere far away off
And make it snappy

Oh, how I long to be the man I used to be!
Fascinating rhythm
Stop picking on me

Oh, how I long to be the man I used to be!
Fascinating rhythm
Stop picking on me?

Session / Album Information

1949

“Fascinating Rhythm” was recorded in April, 1949 and released that year by Leslie Records as a 78 rpm record. Bennett recorded this song as Joe Bari.

Fascinatin" Rhythm

Tony Bennett · Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1 · Song · 2012

This recording released on:

  • 1949: Leslie Records #919 (78 rpm)
  • 2011: Disc #1 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK1) Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1

1958

“Fascinating Rhythm” was recorded on December 22, 1958 and released in 1959 on the album In Person! . It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

This recording was also released on:

  • Columbia LP 12″: LE 10125 — In Person! With Count Basie
  • CBS LP 12″: 35DP159 — In Person! With Count Basie [Japan]
  • CBS LP 12″: 20AP1418 — In Person! With Count Basie [Japan]
  • Philips LP 12″: 840059BY — In Person! With Count Basie [UK]
  • 1959: CBS LP 12″: BPG 62250 — In Person! [UK]
  • 1959: Columbia LP 12″ (Mono): CL 1294 — In Person! With Count Basie
  • 1959: Philips LP 12″: BBL 7398/SBBL 542 — In Person! With Count Basie [UK]
  • 1973: Embassy LP 12″: EMB 31002 — Trolley Song
  • 1976: Warwick LP 12″: PR 5021 — The Very Best Of Tony Bennett: 20 Greatest Hits [UK]
  • 1976: Warwick/CBS LP 12″: CBS 5021 — The Very Best Of Tony Bennett: 20 Greatest Hits [UK]
  • 1983: CBS LP 12″ (Mono): 32373 — In Person! [UK]
  • 1994: Columbia CD: CK 64276 — In Person! With Count Basie
  • 1999: Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab CD: UDCD743 — In Person!
  • 2008: Jasmine CD: JASCD482 — Together At Last/A Perfect Combination
  • 2011: Disc #14 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK14) In Person!

1962

“Fascinatin’ Rhythm” was recorded live at Tony Bennett’s concert at Carnegie Hall on June 9, 1962, but was not released until 1997 on the album Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall: Complete Concert. Ralph Sharon arranged the song.

Fascinating Rhythm (From "Lady, Be Good") (with Ralph Sharon & his Orchestra) - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962

Listen to Fascinating Rhythm (From "Lady, Be Good") (with Ralph Sharon & his Orchestra) - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962 on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Ralph Sharon & His Orchestra · 1962

This recording released on:

  • 1997: Columbia CD: C2K 64609 — At Carnegie Hall June 9, 1962: Complete Concert
  • 2011: Disc #24 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK23) Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall

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