Top Hat White Tie and Tails
| PROFILE | |
| Composer and Lyricist | Irving Berlin |
| Year Written | 1935 |
| About To Hat, White Tie and Tails | |
| Irving Berlin wrote this song for the 1935 film Top Hat, starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. The song was introduced by Mr. Astaire. The film is widely considered to be one of the best of the RKO Astaire and Rogers films; the American Film Institute ranked it 15th on its list of best musicals. | |
Lyrics
I just got an invitation through the mails:
“Your presence requested this evening, it’s formal
A top hat, a white tie and tails”
Nothing now could take the wind out of my sails
Because I’m invited to step out this evening
With top hat, white tie and tails
I’m puttin’ on my top hat
Tyin’ up my white tie
Brushin’ off my tails
I’m dudein’ up my shirt front
Puttin’ in the shirt studs
Polishin’ my nails
I’m steppin’ out, my dear
To breathe an atmosphere that simply reeks with class
And I trust that you’ll excuse my dust when I step on the gas
For I’ll be there
Puttin’ down my top hat
Mussin’ up my white tie
Dancin’ in my tails
Session / Album Information
1993
“Top Hat, White Tie and Tails” was recorded in July 1993 and was released that year on Steppin’ Out. It was arranged by Tony Bennett and Ralph Sharon.
This recording released on:
- 1993: Columbia CD: CK 57424 — Steppin’ Out
- 2011: Disc #59 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK58) Steppin’ Out