"I Could Write a Book"
Song
Published1940
Composer(s)Richard Rodgers
Lyricist(s)Lorenz Hart

"I Could Write a Book" is a show tune from the 1940 Rodgers and Hart musical Pal Joey,[1] where it was introduced by Gene Kelly and Leila Ernst. It is considered a standard.

Critical reception

An uncredited critic reviewing "New Plays in Manhattan" for Time said of Pal Joey that the musical contains "all the dancing anyone could want and at least three more great Richard Rodgers tunes: 'I Could Write a Book' (sweet), 'Love Is My Friend' (torchy), 'Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered' (catchy)."[2]

Cover versions

The song has been covered by such artists as:

In popular culture

References

  1. ^ Banfield, Stephen (1998). "Popular Song and Popular Music on Stage and Film". In Nicholls, David (ed.). The Cambridge History of American Music. Cambridge University Press. pp. 329–330. ISBN 978-0-521-45429-2.
  2. ^ (No author.) "New plays in Manhattan," Time, 37:1, 6 January 1941.
  3. ^ Wright, Matthew (June 15, 2019). "Frank D'Rone: Sings / After The Ball". Jazz Journal. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  4. ^ Bang, Derrick. "Vince Guaraldi on LP and CD: The Navy Swings". fivecentsplease.org. Derrick Bang, Scott McGuire. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  5. ^ Rickert, David (January 12, 2008). "Frank Sinatra: A Voice In Time (1939-1952)". All About Jazz. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  6. ^ "Vic Damone – on the Street Where You Live (1964, Scranton Pressing, Vinyl)". Discogs. 1964.
  7. ^ a b Hischak 2007, p. 123.
  8. ^ a b Wade, Chris (December 26, 2015). "Ash vs. Evil Dead Recap: 'Hey Evil, Why Don't You Eat My Butt!'". Vulture. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  9. ^ "The Miles Davis Quintet – Relaxin' With The Miles Davis Quintet". Doscogs. Discogs. Retrieved 7 January 2023.

Sources



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