| "I Could Write a Book" | |
|---|---|
| Song | |
| Published | 1940 |
| Songwriter(s) | Lorenz Hart |
| Composer(s) | Richard Rodgers |
"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:
- Anita O'Day 1960
- Frank D'Rone,[3]
- Vince Guaraldi,[4]
- Frank Sinatra,[5]
- Vic Damone 1964[6]
- Harry Connick Jr.,[7]
- Dinah Washington.[8]
In popular culture
- Harry Connick Jr.'s version of "I Could Write a Book" was used in the 1989 film When Harry Met Sally..., appearing on the film's soundtrack, and also appears on the soundtrack of the 1997 film Deconstructing Harry.[7]
- Dinah Washington's version of "I Could Write a Book", from her 1955 album For Those in Love, was used in the ninth episode of the first season of the television series Ash vs Evil Dead.[8]
References
- ^ 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.
- ^ (No author.) "New plays in Manhattan," Time, 37:1, 6 January 1941.
- ^ Wright, Matthew (June 15, 2019). "Frank D'Rone: Sings / After The Ball". Jazz Journal. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
- ^ Bang, Derrick. "Vince Guaraldi on LP and CD: The Navy Swings". fivecentsplease.org. Derrick Bang, Scott McGuire. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
- ^ Rickert, David (January 12, 2008). "Frank Sinatra: A Voice In Time (1939-1952)". All About Jazz. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
- ^ https://www.discogs.com/Vic-Damone-On-The-Street-Where-You-Live/release/9465011
- ^ a b Hischak 2007, p. 123.
- ^ 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.
Sources
- Hischak, Thomas S. (2007). The Rodgers and Hammerstein Encyclopedia. Greenwood. ISBN 978-0313341403.