Lulu's Back In Town

Lulu’s Back in Town is a popular song written in 1935 by Al Dubin (Text) and Harry Warren (Music).[1]

First performances

Lulu’s Back in Town was performed in the 1935 film Broadway Gondolier, directed by Lloyd Bacon, where it was sung by Dick Powell and the Mills Brothers. The arrangement was by George Roumanis.[2] It was also used as the title song of the Warner Brothers animated short Buddy the Gee Man.

Lyrics

The chorus runs

Gotta get my old tuxedo pressed,
Gotta sew a button on my vest,
’Cause tonight I’ve gotta look my best,
Lulu’s back in town.[3]

One line has a reference to Cole Porter:

You can tell all my pets, all my Harlem coquettes,
Mister Otis regrets, that he won't be aroun’

This refers to the macabre Cole Porter song Miss Otis Regrets.

Other recordings and performances

Lulu’s Back in Town was popularised by Fats Waller in his recording of 8. May 1935 for Victor Records which made the US-Charts. Others who recorded it include Dick Powell, Mel Tormé, Mills Brothers, Wingy Manone, Chick Bullock, Bob Howard, Teddy Hill, Bert Ambrose, Ted Fiorito, Thelonious Monk and Art Tatum.

In the 1969-70 premiere season of Sesame Street, the song was performed by a pair of Muppets: "Lulu" was an aggressive monster with red-ribboned black hair, and the lead singer was a mild-mannered mustached man in a tuxedo who was simultaneously fascinated and frightened by Lulu.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Jazzstandards.com
  2. ↑ Swing! Here and Now: 3rd Trumpet, 2001, P.8
  3. ↑ Philip Furia: American Song Lyricists, 1920-1960, 2002, P.120
  4. ↑ Sesame Street - Lulu's Back in Town, YouTube
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