Puttin' On the Ritz

"Puttin' On the Ritz" is a popular ballad. It was written by Irving Berlin. He wrote this song in May 1927. It was first published in December 1929. The song lyrics tell people that if they are feeling blue they should go "where fashion sits" and "put on the Ritz."   "The Ritz" most likely refers to the Ritz Tower at 465 Park Avenue, New York City. This is a luxury residential building originally built as an apartment hotel just before this song was written. 

The original 78rpm was recorded by Leo Reisman & his Orchestra (Lew Conrad vocals) in New York City on January 20, 1930 and released on Victor records catalog number 22306. Several other artists sang and recorded the song later in 1930, including Fred Astaire who recorded it on March 26, 1930.

In the early 1980s, Taco released a synthpop euro disco-style version of "Puttin' On the Ritz" in 1981 by RCA Records and Peer Studios. His performance consisted of song and tap. It hit #4 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

lyrics

if you're blue, and you don't know where to go to

Why don't you go where fashion sits?

Puttin' on the Ritz

Different types who wear a day coat

Pants with stripes and cutaway coat, perfect fits

Puttin' on the Ritz

Dressed up like a million-dollar trouper

Trying hard to look like Gary Cooper (super duper)

Come, let's mix where Rockefellers

Walk with sticks or umbrellas in their mitts

Puttin' on the Ritz

Have you seen the well-to-do

Up and down Park Avenue?

On that famous thoroughfare

With their noses in the air

High hats and Arrow collars

White spats and lots of dollars

Spending every dime for a wonderful time

If you're blue, and you don't know where to go to

Why don't you go where fashion sits?

Puttin' on the Ritz

Different types who wear a day coat

Pants with stripes and cutaway coat, perfect fits

Puttin' on the Ritz

Dressed up like a million-dollar trouper

Trying hard to look like Gary Cooper (super duper)

Come, let's mix where Rockefellers

Walk with sticks or umbrellas in their mitts

Puttin' on the Ritz

Dressed up like a million-dollar trouper

Trying hard to look like Gary Cooper (super duper)

If you're blue, and you don't know where to go to

Why don't you go where fashion sits?

Puttin' on the Ritz

Puttin' on the Ritz

Puttin' on the Ritz

Puttin' on the Ritz

Downtown, uptown

Get your kicks at the Ritz

Dine and wine, but not 'til nine

The time is right for us tonight

We can move

Move to the rhythm

We can

Move

Move

I want you to move

References

Category:Pop songs
Category:1920s songs
Category:1927 works
Category:1982 songs
Category:Fred Astaire songs
Category:1929 works
Category:1930s songs
Category:1930 works