By Strauss

"By Strauss" is a 1936 song composed by George Gershwin, with lyrics by Ira Gershwin. It pays homage to the music of Johann Strauss, Sr. and Johann Strauss, Jr.

Lyrics

The singer sings how he doesn't like Broadway, Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, Cole Porter and - in a case of self-mockery - George Gershwin. Instead he wants to dance to waltzes by father and son Strauss. The lyrics reference three of Strauss's best known compositions, namely An der schönen blauen Donau ("Let the Danube flow along"), Die Fledermaus ("and the Fledermaus") and Wein, Weib und Gesang ("Keep the wine and give me song").^[1]

History

Performed by the Gershwins at private parties, Vincente Minnelli included it in his 1936 revue The Show Is On, where it was introduced by Gracie Barrie and Robert Shafter.^[2]

It was then performed by Gene Kelly, Georges Guétary, and Oscar Levant (dubbed by Mack McLean) in Minnelli's 1951 film An American in Paris.^[3]

The song was also featured in the 2012 musical Nice Work If You Can Get It, performed by the character Estonia Dulworth in a counterpoint with a reprise of "Sweet and Lowdown".

Notable recordings

• Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland Big Band - All Smiles (1968)
• Ella Fitzgerald - Ella Fitzgerald Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Songbook (1959)
• Tony Jay - Poets on Broadway (2005)

Many other artists have also recorded the song.^[4]

References

• v
• t
• e

George Gershwin

Albums

• Gershwin Plays Gershwin: The Piano Rolls

Ballets

• An American in Paris
• Gershwin Piano Concerto
• Three Preludes
• Who Cares?

Operas

• Blue Monday (1922)
• Porgy and Bess (1935)

Orchestral works

• Rhapsody in Blue (1924)
• Concerto in F (1925)
• An American in Paris (1928)
• Second Rhapsody (1931)
• Cuban Overture (1932)
• Strike Up the Band (1934)
• Hoctor's Ballet (1937)

Piano compositions

• Three Preludes (1926)
• French Ballet Class (1937)

Songs

• "Aren't You Kind of Glad We Did?"
• "(I've Got) Beginner's Luck"
• "Bidin' My Time"
• "Blah Blah Blah"
• "Boy Wanted"
• "Boy! What Love Has Done to Me!"
• "But Not for Me"
• "By Strauss"
• "Clap Yo' Hands"
• "Do It Again"
• "Doin' Time"
• "Embraceable You"
• "Fascinating Rhythm"
• "A Foggy Day"
• "For You, For Me, For Evermore"
• "Funny Face"
• "'The Half of It, Dearie' Blues"
• "He Loves and She Loves"
• "How Long Has This Been Going On?"
• "I Can't Be Bothered Now"
• "I Got Rhythm"
• "I Was Doing All Right"
• "I've Got a Crush on You"
• "Isn't It a Pity?"
• "Just Another Rhumba"
• "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off"
• "Let's Kiss and Make Up"
• "Liza (All the Clouds'll Roll Away)"
• "Looking for a Boy"
• "Lorelei"
• "Love Is Here to Stay"
• "Love Is Sweeping the Country"
• "Love Walked In"
• "The Man I Love"
• "My Cousin in Milwaukee"
• "My One and Only"
• "Nice Work If You Can Get It"
• "Of Thee I Sing"
• "Oh, Lady Be Good!"
• "Oh, So Nice!"
• "The Real American Folk Song (is a Rag)"
• "'S Wonderful"
• "Sam and Delilah"
• "Slap That Bass"
• "Somebody from Somewhere"
• "Somebody Loves Me"
• "Someone to Watch Over Me"
• "Soon"
• "Stairway to Paradise"
• "Stiff Upper Lip"
• "Strike Up the Band"
• "Summertime"
• "Swanee"
• "That Certain Feeling"
• "They All Laughed"
• "They Can't Take That Away from Me"
• "Things Are Looking Up"
• "Tra-la-la"
• "Treat Me Rough"
• "Walking the Dog"
• "Who Cares?"
• "You've Got What Gets Me"

Tribute albums

• Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin
• By George
• Ella Fitzgerald Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Song Book
• Ella Sings Gershwin
• Gershwin Live!
• Gershwin's World
• The Glory of Gershwin
• Ira, George and Joe
• Nice Work If You Can Get It
• Oscar Peterson Plays the George Gershwin Songbook
• Red Hot + Rhapsody: The Gershwin Groove
• Rosemary Clooney Sings the Lyrics of Ira Gershwin

Related articles

• Gershwin Prize
• Ira Gershwin (brother)
• Arthur Gershwin (brother)
• Frances Gershwin (sister)
• Gershwin Theatre

List of compositions by George Gershwin Category:George Gershwin

This pop standards-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

• v
• t
• e

This show tune-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

• v
• t
• e