Puttin ' On the Ritz - wikipedia Puttin ' On the Ritz Fred Astaire and a chorus of Fred Astaires performing `` Puttin ' On the Ritz '' in Blue Skies ( 1946 ). `` Puttin ' On the Ritz '' is a song written by Irving Berlin. He wrote it in May 1927 and first published it in December 2, 1929. It was registered as an unpublished song August 24, 1927 and again on July 27, 1928. It was introduced by Harry Richman and chorus in the musical film Puttin ' On the Ritz ( 1930 ). According to The Complete Lyrics of Irving Berlin, this was the first song in film to be sung by an interracial ensemble. The title derives from the slang expression `` to put on the Ritz '', meaning to dress very fashionably. The expression was inspired by the opulent Ritz Hotel. Hit phonograph records of the tune in its original period of popularity of 1929 -- 1930 were recorded by Harry Richman and by Fred Astaire, with whom the song is particularly associated. Every other record label had their own version of this popular song ( Columbia, Brunswick, Victor, and all of the dime store labels ). Richman 's Brunswick version of the song became the number - one selling record in America. The song received renewed popularity and became known to a new generation of fans in 1983 when Taco, a Indonesian - born Dutch musician, recorded and released a new version of the song. Taco 's version was accompanied by a music video, which aired on MTV and other music video networks and programs. Contents 1 Musical structure 2 Lyrics and race 3 Taco cover 3.1 Chart positions 3.1. 1 Weekly singles charts 3.1. 2 Year - end charts 3.1. 3 Certifications 4 Other cover versions 5 References 5.1 Notes 5.2 Citations 5.3 Bibliography Musical structure The song is in AABA form, with a verse. According to John Mueller, the central device in the A section is the `` use of delayed rhythmic resolution : a staggering, off - balance passage, emphasized by the unorthodox stresses in the lyric, suddenly resolves satisfyingly on a held note, followed by the forceful assertion of the title phrase. '' The marchlike B section, which is only barely syncopated, acts as a contrast to the previous rhythmic complexities. According to Alec Wilder, in his study of American popular song, for him, the rhythmic pattern in `` Puttin ' On the Ritz '' is `` the most complex and provocative I have ever come upon. '' Lyrics and race The original version of Berlin 's song included references to the then - popular fad of flashily - dressed but poor black Harlemites parading up and down Lenox Avenue, `` Spending ev'ry dime / For a wonderful time ''. In the UK, the song was popularized through the BBC 's radio broadcasts of Joe Kaye 's Band performing it at The Ritz Hotel, London restaurant in the 1930s. The song was featured with the original lyrics in the 1939 film Idiot 's Delight, where it was performed by Clark Gable and chorus, and this routine was selected for inclusion in That 's Entertainment ( 1974 ). Columbia released a 78 recording of Fred Astaire singing the original lyrics in May 1930 ( B - side -- `` Crazy Feet '', both recorded on March 26, 1930 ). For the film Blue Skies ( 1946 ), where it was performed by Fred Astaire, Berlin revised the lyrics to apply to affluent whites strutting `` up and down Park Avenue ''. This second version was published after being registered for copyright on August 28, 1946. Taco cover `` Puttin ' On the Ritz '' Single by Taco from the album After Eight B - side `` Livin ' in My Dream World '' Released 1982 Format 7 ``, 12 '' Genre Synth - pop Length 4 : 41 ( Album version ) 3 : 22 ( 7 '' version ) 6 : 08 ( Extended 12 '' version ) Label RCA Songwriter ( s ) Irving Berlin Producer ( s ) David Parker Taco singles chronology `` Cheek to Cheek '' ( 1982 ) `` Puttin ' On the Ritz '' ( 1982 ) `` Singin ' in the Rain '' ( 1992 ) `` Cheek to Cheek '' ( 1982 ) `` Puttin ' On the Ritz '' ( 1982 ) `` Singin ' in the Rain '' ( 1992 ) In 1982 singer Taco released a synth - pop cover version of `` Puttin ' On the Ritz '' as a single from his album After Eight, released on Polydor of Germany. The single was accompanied by a music video, which includes a tap dance solo. The original version of the video contains characters in blackface and has since been banned from many networks. An alternative version eliminates many shots of the blackface characters, though some remain. The single was a global hit, reaching No. 1 in Cashbox as well as No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making Irving Berlin, then 95, the oldest ever living songwriter to have one of his compositions enter the top ten. It was certified Gold by the RIAA for selling over one million US copies. It was Taco 's only hit in the States. This version of the song was ranked No. 53 in VH1 's 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of the 80s special. The song topped the charts in Sweden and New Zealand, and it entered the Top 5 in numerous countries including Australia, Norway, Austria and Canada. The Taco cover of the song was used in Baby Geniuses ( 1999 ) and The Call ( 2013 ). Alvin and the Chipmunks covered Taco 's version of the song for `` Do n't Be a Videot '', a 1984 episode of Alvin and the Chipmunks. Chart positions Weekly singles charts Chart ( 1982 -- 1983 ) Peak position Australia ( Kent Music Report ) 5 Austria ( Ö3 Austria Top 40 ) Belgium ( Ultratop 50 Flanders ) 13 Canada Adult Contemporary ( RPM ) Canada Top Singles ( RPM ) France ( IFOP ) 74 Germany ( Official German Charts ) 20 Ireland ( IRMA ) 24 Netherlands ( Dutch Top 40 ) 12 Netherlands ( Single Top 100 ) 18 New Zealand ( Recorded Music NZ ) Norway ( VG - lista ) South Africa ( Springbok Radio ) Sweden ( Sverigetopplistan ) Switzerland ( Schweizer Hitparade ) 6 US Billboard Adult Contemporary 12 US Billboard Hot 100 US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play 37 US Cash Box Year - end charts Chart ( 1983 ) Rank Australia ( Kent Music Report ) 34 Canada Top Singles ( RPM ) 14 New Zealand ( Recorded Music NZ ) 22 South Africa ( Springbok Radio ) 16 US Billboard Hot 100 31 US Cash Box 19 Certifications Region Certification Certified units / Sales Canada ( Music Canada ) Platinum 100,000 New Zealand ( RMNZ ) Platinum 20,000 United States ( RIAA ) Gold 1,000,000 sales figures based on certification alone shipments figures based on certification alone Other cover versions In addition to the Taco cover, this tune has enjoyed a number of revivals. A hit swing music version was recorded by Benny Goodman in 1939. Ella Fitzgerald also performed a swing music version. The song and a dance number were performed by Clark Gable in 1939 's Idiot 's Delight and by Fred Astaire in the 1946 film Blue Skies using the revised lyrics. Also, Judy Garland covered the song in 1961 during a live performance at Carnegie Hall. This cover was then included in the live album Judy at Carnegie Hall. Heidi Brühl, a German singer and actress popular in West Germany during the 1960s, recorded a German - language version entitled `` Liebe ist dabei '' ( meaning ' Love is included ' ) for her 1965 album Verliebt wie du und ich. Bing Crosby recorded the song for his album Bing Crosby 's Treasury - The Songs I Love. A humorous duet in Mel Brooks ' 1974 film Young Frankenstein is performed in character by Gene Wilder as Dr. Frederick ( Von ) Frankenstein and Peter Boyle as the inarticulate monster, which parodies Fred Astaire 's 1946 film version. In 2004 voters in AFI 's 100 Years... 100 Songs cited this rendition to list the tune at No. 89 in the survey of top songs in American cinema. This version was later used in the 2007 musical adaptation of the same name. The duet is referenced in the Family Guy episode `` The Story on Page One '', when Stewie takes control of an unknowing Chris via mind control ( over a transceiver ) and uses `` Puttin ' On The Ritz '' as a test by singing `` If you 're blue and you do n't know where to go to, why do n't you go where fashion sits ? '' with Chris responding `` Puttin ' On The Ritz ! '' and Stewie commenting `` Not my bit, but still funny ''. Mighty Diamonds recorded this song, with some variations, on a 1988 12 '' produced by reggae producer Ossie Hibbert. The song is performed by Bertie Wooster ( Hugh Laurie ) in the 1990 -- 1993 ITV Jeeves and Wooster TV series. The character at first struggles to sing the verses, until Jeeves ( Stephen Fry ) points out the song 's peculiar time signature and syncopated delivery. Neil Diamond recorded the song on his 1998 album, The Movie Album : As Time Goes By. The song was recorded by Shiny Toy Guns on the first version of their album We Are Pilots in 2005 called just `` Ritz ''. A speed metal version was recorded by the Finnish band Leningrad Cowboys in 2006 on their album Zombies Paradise. Rufus Wainwright performed the song on his album Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall ( released in 2007 ). The song is also used in the title music for the Game Boy game Super Hunchback. In Being Human, Hal covers this song when waking up the vampires. `` Puttin ' On the Ritz '' has also been recorded by Robbie Williams, using the original 1929 lyrics, on his 2013 Swing / Pop album Swings Both Ways. Herb Alpert recorded the song in 2013 and Pomplamoose made their version in 2014. Jiří Korn released a version in 1987. The Cherry Poppin ' Daddies recorded a version of the song for their 2016 covers album The Boop - A-Doo. The Puppini Sisters recorded and released a swing version of the song. References Notes Jump up ^ `` In the original version it told of the ritzy airs of Harlemites parading up and down Lenox Avenue. For the 1946 film, the strutters became well - to - do whites on Park Avenue. The patronizing, yet admiring satire of the song is shifted, then, and mellowed in the process. The change may have had to do with changing attitudes towards race and with Hollywood 's dawning wariness about offending blacks. '' Citations ^ Jump up to : Kimball & Emmet 2001, p. 262. ^ Jump up to : Mueller 1986, p. 267. Jump up ^ Montgomery - Massingberd, Watkin & Collie, p. 97. Jump up ^ `` Puttin ' On the Ritz / Crazy Feet ''. Rate Your Music. Retrieved May 8, 2016. ^ Jump up to : Ankeny, Jason. `` Taco -- Artist Biography ''. AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved May 8, 2016. ^ Jump up to : `` CASH BOX Top 100 Singles -- Week ending SEPTEMBER 17, 1983 ''. Archived from the original on September 13, 2012... Cash Box magazine. ^ Jump up to : `` Taco -- Awards ''. AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved May 8, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Irving Berlin ''. Russian Heritage Museum. Retrieved May 10, 2016. Jump up ^ `` RIAA -- Gold & Platinum Searchable Database -- Puttin ' On the Ritz ''. Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 8, 2016. ^ Jump up to : `` Forum -- ARIA Charts : Special Occasion Charts -- CHART POSITIONS PRE 1989 ''. Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on October 20, 2013. Retrieved May 8, 2016. ^ Jump up to : `` Ultratop.be -- Taco -- Puttin ' On The Ritz '' ( in Dutch ). Ultratop 50. Retrieved May 8, 2016. ^ Jump up to : `` Top RPM Singles : Issue 6252. '' RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 8, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Austriancharts.at -- Taco -- Puttin ' On The Ritz '' ( in German ). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved May 8, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Top RPM Adult Contemporary : Issue 6308. '' RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 8, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Le Détail par Artiste '' ( in French ). InfoDisc. Select `` Taco '' from the artist drop - down menu. Retrieved May 8, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Offiziellecharts.de -- Taco -- Puttin ' On The Ritz ''. GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved May 8, 2016. Jump up ^ `` The Irish Charts -- Search Results -- Taco ''. Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved May 8, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Nederlandse Top 40 -- Taco - Puttin ' On The Ritz search results '' ( in Dutch ) Dutch Top 40. Retrieved May 8, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Dutchcharts.nl -- Taco -- Puttin ' On The Ritz '' ( in Dutch ). Single Top 100. Retrieved May 8, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Charts.org.nz -- Taco -- Puttin ' On The Ritz ''. Top 40 Singles. Retrieved May 8, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Norwegiancharts.com -- Taco -- Puttin ' On The Ritz ''. VG - lista. Retrieved May 8, 2016. Jump up ^ `` South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 -- 1989 Acts ( T ) ''. Rock.co.za. Retrieved May 8, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Swedishcharts.com -- Taco -- Puttin ' On The Ritz ''. Singles Top 100. Retrieved May 8, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Swisscharts.com -- Taco -- Puttin ' On The Ritz ''. Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved May 8, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Forum -- ARIA Charts : Special Occasion Charts -- Top 100 End of Year AMR Charts -- 1980s ''. Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved May 8, 2016. Jump up ^ `` The Top Singles of 1983 ''. RPM. Vol. 39 no. 17. 24 December 1983. Retrieved May 8, 2016. Jump up ^ `` End of Year Charts 1983 ''. Recorded Music New Zealand. Retrieved May 8, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Top 20 Hit Singles of 1983 ''. Rock.co.za. Retrieved May 8, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Top 100 Hits for 1983 ''. The Longbored Surfer. Retrieved May 8, 2016. Jump up ^ `` The CASH BOX Year - End Charts : 1983 ''. Archived from the original on September 11, 2012... Cash Box magazine. Jump up ^ `` Canadian single certifications -- Taco -- Puttin ' On the Ritz ''. Music Canada. Jump up ^ `` New Zealand single certifications -- Taco -- Putting On the Ritz ''. Recorded Music NZ. Jump up ^ `` American single certifications -- Taco -- Puttin ' On the Ritz ''. Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH Jump up ^ `` Puttin ' On the Ritz ''. International Lyrics Playground. Retrieved May 8, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Young Frankenstein - Putting on the Ritz. '' on YouTube Bibliography Kimball, Robert ; Emmet, Linda, eds. ( 2001 ). The Complete Lyrics of Irving Berlin. Knopf. ISBN 0679419438. Montgomery - Massingberd, Hugh ; Watkin, David ; Collie, Keith ( 1980 ). The London Ritz : a social and architectural history. Aurum. ISBN 978 - 0 - 906053 - 01 - 0. Mueller, John ( 1986 ). Astaire Dancing -- The Musical Films. London : Hamish Hamilton. ISBN 0 - 241 - 11749 - 6. Irving Berlin songs `` Alexander 's Ragtime Band '' `` All Alone '' `` All by Myself '' `` All My Life '' `` Always '' `` Any Bonds Today ? '' `` Anything You Can Do ( I Can Do Better ) '' `` The Best Thing for You ( Would Be Me ) '' `` Blue Skies '' `` Change Partners '' `` Cheek to Cheek '' `` Count Your Blessings '' `` Daddy, Come Home '' `` Doin ' What Comes Natur'lly '' `` Easter Parade '' `` Follow the Crowd '' `` Get Thee Behind Me Satan '' `` The Girl That I Marry '' `` God Bless America '' `` Happy Holiday '' `` Heat Wave '' `` Heaven Watch the Philippines '' `` How About Me ? '' `` How Deep Is the Ocean ? '' `` How 's Chances ? '' `` I Got Lost in His Arms '' `` I Got the Sun in the Mornin ' ( and the Moon at Night ) '' `` I Used to Be Color Blind '' `` I Want To Go Back To Michigan '' `` I 'm an Indian Too '' `` I 'm Gonna Pin My Medal on the Girl I Left Behind '' `` I 'm Putting All My Eggs in One Basket '' `` I 've Got My Captain Working for Me Now '' `` I 've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm '' `` Is n't This a Lovely Day ? '' `` It 's a Lovely Day Today '' `` Lazy '' `` Let Yourself Go '' `` Let 's Face the Music and Dance '' `` Let 's Have Another Cup of Coffee '' `` Let 's Take an Old - Fashioned Walk '' `` Mandy '' `` Moonshine Lullaby '' `` My Defenses Are Down '' `` The Near Future '' `` No Strings ( I 'm Fancy Free ) '' `` Now It Can Be Told '' `` Oh ! How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning '' `` Play a Simple Melody '' `` A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody '' `` Puttin ' On the Ritz '' `` Reaching for the Moon '' `` Remember '' `` San Francisco Bound '' `` Say It Is n't So '' `` Sisters '' `` Slumming on Park Avenue '' `` The Song Is Ended ( but the Melody Lingers On ) '' `` Stay Down Here Where You Belong '' `` Steppin ' Out with My Baby '' `` Supper Time '' `` That International Rag '' `` That Mysterious Rag '' `` There 's No Business Like Show Business '' `` They Say It 's Wonderful '' `` Top Hat, White Tie and Tails '' `` What 'll I Do '' `` When I Lost You '' `` White Christmas '' `` Who Do You Love, I Hope ? '' `` You Can Have Him '' `` You Ca n't Get a Man with a Gun '' `` You Keep Coming Back Like a Song '' `` You 'd Be Surprised '' `` You 're Just in Love '' `` You 're Laughing at Me '' Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Puttin%27_On_the_Ritz&oldid=805857593 '' Categories : 1929 songs 1982 singles 1983 singles Songs written by Irving Berlin Fred Astaire songs Number - one singles in New Zealand Number - one singles in Sweden RPM Adult Contemporary number - one singles United States National Recording Registry recordings Hidden categories : CS1 French - language sources ( fr ) Articles with hAudio microformats All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from May 2016 Singlechart usages for Austria Singlechart usages for Flanders Singlechart making named ref Singlechart usages for Canadaadultcontemporary Singlechart called without artist Singlechart called without song Singlechart usages for Canadatopsingles Singlechart usages for Germany2 Singlechart usages for Ireland2 Singlechart usages for Dutch40 Singlechart usages for Dutch100 Singlechart usages for New Zealand Singlechart usages for Norway Singlechart usages for Sweden Singlechart usages for Switzerland Certification Table Entry usages for Canada Certification Table Entry usages for New Zealand Certification Table Entry usages for United States Talk Contents About Wikipedia Dansk Deutsch Italiano Қазақша Magyar Norsk Norsk nynorsk Русский Simple English Svenska Українська Edit links This page was last edited on 18 October 2017, at 02 : 17. 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Question: who wrote the song puttin on the ritz
Answer: Irving Berlin