| Composer | Cy Coleman |
| Lyricist | Joseph Allen McCarthy |
| Year Written | 1953 |
About This Song
“The Riviera” was written by Cy Coleman and Joseph Allen McCarthy in 1953. Mabel Mercer was the first to record the song. Blossom Dearie recorded it for her 1958 album Give Him the 0h-La-La.
View the lyrics
The Riviera
On every street a gay casino
Where continentals sip their vino
And leave their fortunes to chance
The Riviera
Nevada’s number one casino
Where ladies make the play for dino
In that pursuit of romance
Every gay mademoiselle
Is disarming some maharajah
With the daring of her décolletage
Every [?] will be willing to bet you
She’s gonna be what you will get
Ah the Riviera
Where every golden coat of suntan
Has cost the gold of more than one man
Who wasn’t warned in advance
He can live like a king
Have a fabulous fling
Then as a token for the dough that he’s sunk
He gets a little label slapped on his trunk
The Riviera
The Riviera
Where every golden coat of suntan
Has cost the gold of more than one man
Who wasn’t warned in advance
He can live like a king
Have a fabulous fling
Then as a token for the dough that he’s sunk
He gets a little label slapped on his trunk
The Riviera
Recordings
1971
Tony Bennett recorded “The Riviera” in October 1971 at the Cine-Tele Studio in London. Robert Farnon wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.
CO 111847
Release History
| 1971 | Columbia 45: 4-45493 |
| 1972 | Columbia LP 12″: KC 31460 — With Love |
| 1972 | Columbia LP 12″: CBS-64849 (UK) |
| 1975 | Columbia LP 12″: KG 33376 — Let’s Fall In Love With The Songs Of Harold Arlen And Cy Coleman |
| 2011 | Columbia: The Complete Collection — Disc 44 — With Love |