The Lady is a Tramp
| PROFILE | |
| Composer | Richard Rodgers |
| Lyricist | Lorenz Hart |
| Year Written | 1937 |
| About The Lady Is a Tramp | |
| This song was written for the Broadway musical Babes In Arms, where it was introduced by Mitzi Green. The song was meant as a spoof on the high society of New York, where the singer is clear about what she likes to do, no matter what everyone else is doing. “The Lady Is A Tramp” has been sung by Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Lena Horne. More recently, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga sang a duet of this song on their 2011 album “Duets II.” | |
Lyrics
She wined and dined on mulligan stew
And never wished for turkey
As she hitched and hiked and grifted too
From Maine to Albuquerque
Alas, she missed the Beaux Arts Ball, and what is twice as sad
I was never at a party where they honored Noel Ca-ad (Coward)
But social circles spin too fast to see
The “hobohemia” is the place to be
She gets too hungry, for dinner at eight
She likes the theater, but never comes late
She never bothers with people she hates
That’s why the lady is a tramp
She won’t like crap games, with barons or earls
Won’t go to Harlem, in ermine and pearls
Won’t dish the dirt, with the rest of the girls
That’s why the lady is a tramp
She likes the free, fresh wind in her hair
Life without care
She’s broke, and it’s o’k
She hates California, it’s cold and it’s damp
That’s why the lady is a tramp
She loves the free, fresh wind in her hair
Life without care
She’s broke, it’s o’k
She hates California, it’s cold and it’s damp
That’s why the lady is a tramp
That’s why the lady is a tramp
Session / Album Information
1973
“The Lady Is A Tramp” was recorded in July, 1973 and released in 1976 on Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs.
This recording released on:
- 1976: Improv LP 12″: 7113 — Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs
- 1990: King CD: KICP-2046 — The Rodgers and Hart Songbook [Japan]
- 1991: Improv LP 12″: DARC2-2102 — The Rodgers And Hart Songbook
- Disky CD: BX 883552 — As Time Goes By
- 1991: DRG CD: CDXP 2102 — The Rodgers And Hart Songbook
- 2004: Concord CD: CCD4-2255 — The Complete Improv Recordings
- 2005: Concord CD: 2243 — Sings the Rodgers & Hart Songbook
- 2006: Universal CD: 3122432 — Sings The Rodgers & Hart Songbook (UK)
- 2011: Concord CRE-32955-02 – The Best of the Improv Recordings
- 2011: Disc #50 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK49) Tony Bennett’s Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs
1988
“The Lady Is A Tramp” was recorded on September 3, 1988 with Frank Sinatra and was released in 2006 on Duets: An American Classic [Target]
This recording released on:
- 2006: RPM Records/Columbia CD: 82876887352 — Duets: An American Classic [Target Stores]
1992
“The Lady Is A Tramp” was recorded in June 1992 and was released that year on Perfectly Frank. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.
This recording released on:
- 1992: Columbia CD: CK 52965 — Perfectly Frank
- 1992: CBS/Sony CD: SRCS-6565 — Perfectly Frank [Japan]
- 2011: Disc #58 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK57) Perfectly Frank
2011
“The Lady Is A Tramp” with Lady Gaga was recorded in 2011 and was released that year on Duets II. It was arranged by Marion Evans.
This recording released on:
- 2011: RPM Sony 88697662532: Duets II
- 2011: RPM Sony 88697961501: Duets II (LP)
- 2011: Disc #71 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK69) Duets II
- 2013: Columbia/Legacy – Sixty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett