THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

286-Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong-They Can’t Take That Away from Me.

1956-It has never been released as a single in the UK.

Best Bit-At 1.32. When you have the music of George Gershwin, the lyrics of Ira Gershwin, and the mesmerising vocals of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, the hard part isn’t trying to find a 1000 songs to fill this list, it’s having to choose which ones to leave out.

‘They Can’t Take That Away from Me’ was one of the songs written by George Gershwin (1898-1937) (music) and his brother Ira Gershwin (1896-1983) (see also best songs 231) (lyrics) for the 1937 Musical Comedy ‘Shall We Dance,’ starring Fred Astaire, (1899-1987) (see also best songs 385) and Ginger Rodgers (1911-1995.) In the film the song is sung by Astaire to Rodgers, who remains silent throughout the performance, there is also no dance sequence performed. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers did perform a dance routine to the song when appearing in their 10th and final movie together in 1949, in ‘Barkleys of Broadway.’ This was also the only song that Astaire performed more than once in any of his movies.

George Gershwin (see also best songs 231) was born Jacob Gershwine on September 26th, 1898, in Brooklyn, New York City, United States, he died from a malignant brain tumour on July 11th, 1937, at the age of 38. Gershin was a prolific writer of music, composing several orchestral pieces including ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ (1924.) His Opera’s include ‘Blue Monday,’ (1922) and ‘Porgy and Bess,’ (1935) he also composed the music for 19 Broadway, and London Musicals, as well as the original scores for five films. George Gershwin showed no interest in music until the age of 10 when he heard a friend playing a violin. At about the same time, George’s parents had bought a piano for his older brother Ira. To his parents surprise though, and to Ira’s relief, it was George who spent more time playing it. In 1913 at the age of 15 George Gershwin left school to work as a ‘song plugger’ on New York City’s Tin Pan Alley, (see also best songs 669-535-443-412 and 397) earning $15 a week. His first published song was ‘When You Want ‘Em, You Can’t Get ‘Em, When You’ve Got ‘Em, You Don’t Want ‘Em’ in 1916. His first song to appear on Broadway was ‘Making of a Girl,’ written in 1916 with Sigmund Romberg, (1887-1951) with lyrics by Harold Atteridge, (1886-1938) it was sung in ‘The Passing Show’ of 1916. In 1919, Gershwin scored his first big national hit with his song ‘Swanee,’ with words by Irving Caesar, (1895-1996) after hearing Gershwin perform it, Al Jolson (1886-1950) (see also best songs 310) put it into his show ‘Sinbad,’ and recorded it in 1920, the song would become one of Jolson’s signature tunes. It was in 1924 that George Gershwin composed his first major work, ‘Rhapsody in Blue,’ It was orchestrated by Ferde Grofé, (1892-1972) and premiered by Paul Whiteman’s (1890-1967) (see also best songs 82) Concert Band, in New York. It subsequently went on to be his most popular work, and established Gershwin’s signature style and genius in blending vastly different musical styles, including Jazz and Classical, in revolutionary ways.

Ella Fitzgerald (1917-1996) (see also best songs 944-231 and 100) and Louis Armstrong (1901-1971) (see also best songs 1039-767-231 and 100) had recorded together in the 1940’s for the Decca Records label. In 1956 they recorded the first of a further three Albums together, this time for the ‘Verve’ label. Their version of
‘They Can’t Take That Away from Me’ is featured on ‘Ella and Louis,’ with the production being by Norman Granz (1918-2001) (see also best songs 231) and was released in October 1956. The musicians who played on this song, and it’s parent Album, were the ‘Oscar Peterson Quartet,’ who were Oscar Peterson, (1925-2007) (piano) Herb Ellis, (1921-2010) (guitar) Ray Brown, (1926-2002) (bass) and Buddy Rich, (1917-1987) (drums) as well as sharing the vocals, Louis Armstrong also played the trumpet. In 1959 Ella Fitzgerald recorded the song again, this time as a solo artist, for her acclaimed Album ‘Ella Fitzgerald Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Song Book.’

They Can’t Take That Away from Me,’ and it’s parent Album ‘Ella and Louis’ were produced by Norman Granz, who was born on August 6th, 1918, in Los Angeles, California, United States, he died of cancer on November 22nd, 2001, at the age of 83. Norman Granz was a music producer who is acknowledged as ‘The most successful impresario in the history of Jazz.’ He was the founder of five record labels, including ‘Verve Records’ in 1956, which was the label that the ‘Ella and Louis’ Album was released on. Granz was also Ella Fitzgerald’s, and Oscar Peterson’s manager. Many other giants of Jazz, including Charlie Parker, (1920-1955) Art Tatum, (1909-1956) and Lester Young (1909-1959) also had their recordings issued on the ‘Verve’ record label. Granz was a champion of racial equality, insisting, for example, on integrating audiences at the concerts he promoted. Granz opposed racism and fought many battles for his artists, many of whom were black. Oscar Peterson recounted how Granz once insisted that white cabdrivers take his black artists as customers, while a policeman pointed a loaded pistol at his stomach. Norman Granz also was among the first to pay white and black artists the same salary, and to give them equal treatment even in minor details such as dressing rooms. He insisted on equal treatment for Ella Fitzgerald, in both pay and hotel accommodations.

‘The way your smile just beams, the way you sing off key. The way you haunt my dreams, no, no, they can’t take that away from me.’