"It's De-Lovely" is one of Cole Porter's hit songs, originally appearing in his 1936 musical, Red Hot and Blue. It was introduced by Ethel Merman and Bob Hope.[1] The song was later used in the musical Anything Goes, first appearing in the 1956 film version (when it was sung by Donald O'Connor and Mitzi Gaynor); in the 1962 revival where it was sung by Hal Linden and Barbara Lang, and in the 2004 biographical film De-Lovely, where it was performed by Robbie Williams.

The hit records in late 1936 and early 1937 included versions by Leo Reisman, Eddy Duchin, Shep Fields, and Will Osborne.[2]

The song played with words that have the prefix "de", which leads to the creation of the neologism "de-lovely": "It's de-lightful, it's de-licious, it's de-lovely."

Other recordings

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External audio
  You may hear the song "It's De-Lovely" performed by the Shep Fields Rippling Rhythm Orchestra in 1936
Here on Archive.org
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The song was used by the Chrysler Corporation in advertising DeSoto automobiles, in 1956 singing, "It's Delightful, It's De Lovely, It's DeSoto. Then in 1957 the lyrics changed to "Its delovely, its dynamic, its DeSoto."[18] A 1970s commercial for 7 Up used the song, describing it as "de-sugarfree".

References

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  1. ^ "Red, Hot and Blue! : Original Broadway Producti". Sondheimguide.com. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  2. ^ Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. p. 532. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
  3. ^ "Biography by Eugene Chadbourne". Allmusic.com. Retrieved September 30, 2011.
  4. ^ "Dinah Shore – Dinah Shore Sings". Discogs.com. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  5. ^ "Ethel Merman – Songs She Made Famous". Discogs.com. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  6. ^ "Jeri Southern – The Southern Style". Discogs.com. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  7. ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  8. ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  9. ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  10. ^ "www.discogs.com". discogs.com. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  11. ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  12. ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  13. ^ "Breathless! by Sue Raney". Secondhandsongs.com. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  14. ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  15. ^ DeLay, Tom (January 1985). "For the Records". Theatre Organ. 27 (1): 19. ISSN 0040-5531.
  16. ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  17. ^ Wilman, Chris (August 3, 2021). "Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga Reveal 'Love for Sale,' Cole Porter Tribute Album Said to Be Bennett's Last". Variety. Archived from the original on August 3, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  18. ^ Video on YouTube