Strike Up The Band
| PROFILE | |
| Composer | George Gershwin |
| Lyricist | Ira Gershwin |
| Year Written | 1927 |
| About Strike Up The Band | |
| “Strike Up the Band” is from the 1927 musical of the same name. Although Strike Up the Band was not a big hit on Broadway, the song became extremely popular. When Gershwin moved to Los Angeles, he was approached by UCLA to help with a fight song and so he contributed “Strike Up the Band for UCLA”, which is still played at all football and home basketball games at the university. | |
Lyrics
Let the drums roll out
Let the trumpet call
While the people shout “Strike up the band”
Hear the cymbals ring
Callin’ one and all
To the martial swing, strike up the band
There is work to be done, to be done
Let’s have fun, fun, fun
You son of a gun of a gun, take your stand
Form a line, oh, oh
Come on, let’s go
Hey, leader, strike up the band!
There is work to be done, to be done
Let’s have fun, fun, fun
Come on, son of a gun of a gun, take your stand
Form a line, oh, oh
Come on, let’s go
Hey, Mr. Leader,
Hey, Mr. Leader,
Please strike up the band!
Session / Album Information
1959
“Strike Up The Band” was recorded on January 5, 1959 and was released in 1959 on Basie/Bennett. The song was arranged by Ralph Sharon.
This recording released on:
- 1959: Emus Records LP 12″: ES-12026 — Strike Up The Band
- 1961: Roulette LP 12″: R/SR-25072 — Basie Swings, Bennett Sings
- 1961: Roulette LP 12″: SR 25231 — Bennett & Basie – Strike Up The Band
- 1963: Roulette LP 12″: R/SR-25231 — Strike Up the Band
- 1966: Allegro LP 12″: ALLR 799 — A One Night Stand! [UK]
- 1969: Saga Eros LP 12″: EROS 8076 — Tony Bennett and Count Basie
- 1981: Reactivation LP 12″: JR 149 — Bennett & Basie [UK]
- 1987: Roulette CD: RCD 59021 — Strike Up the Band
- 1990: Roulette Jazz CD: CDP 7 93899 2 — Basie/Bennett
- 1990: Roulette CD: B2-93899 — Basie Swings, Bennett Sings
- 1992: Capitol CD: C2-96792 — Capitol Sings George Gershwin: Fascinatin’ Rhythm
- 1992: Capitol CD: 96792 — Capitol Sings George Gershwin: Fascinatin’ Rhythm
- 1996: Alliance CD: 96792 — Capitol Sings George Gershwin: Fascinatin’ Rhythm
- 2008: Jasmine CD: JASCD482 — Together At Last/A Perfect Combination
- 2011: Disc #13 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK13) Basie/Bennett
- 2012: Essential Media Group: Bennett & Basie Strike Up The Band (Digitally Remastered) (CD-R on-demand)