“Lydia The Tattooed Lady” is a song written in 1939 by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg. It was originally performed by Groucho Marx in the Marx Brothers film, At the Circus. The song has been recorded by numerous other artists over the years, including Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and Louis Armstrong. The lyrics tell the story of a woman covered in tattoos who has had a wild life but still remains optimistic about her future. The song celebrates her resilience and her refusal to be judged by society’s standards.The song ‘Lydia The Tattooed Lady’ was written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg.
Harold Arlen
Harold Arlen is widely known as the author of the popular song “Lydia The Tattooed Lady”. The song was written in 1939 and has since become a classic. It tells the story of a woman who proudly displays her tattoos with pride and joy, despite what her family may think. Arlen wrote it for the movie “The Wizard of Oz” and it has been covered by numerous artists over the years. Arlen is also famous for writing other classic songs such as “Over The Rainbow” and “Stormy Weather”. He was an accomplished musician and composer who had a deep understanding of jazz, blues, gospel, ragtime, and popular music. His work continues to be enjoyed today by both fans and musicians alike.
In addition to writing “Lydia The Tattooed Lady”, Arlen also wrote several other songs for films such as “Cabaret”, “The Man Who Came To Dinner”, and “The Best Years Of Our Lives”. He also wrote music for Broadway shows such as Jamaica in 1957 and Bloomer Girl in 1944. His music has been featured in television shows such as Seinfeld and The Simpsons. Harold Arlen is one of America’s most beloved composers and his legacy lives on through his music.
Origin of ‘Lydia The Tattooed Lady’
The origins of ‘Lydia The Tattooed Lady’ can be traced back to the early 20th century. It was first popularized by Groucho Marx in the 1939 Marx Brothers film, At the Circus. In the film, Groucho plays a character who is enamored by a woman with tattoos. Groucho’s character sings a song about her called “Lydia The Tattooed Lady.”
The song was written by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg and has become an iconic part of American culture. It has been covered by numerous musicians over the years, including Mel Tormé, Judy Garland, and Harry Belafonte.
The lyrics of the song describe a woman with elaborate tattoos covering her body from head to toe. The song celebrates her beauty and uniqueness despite her unconventional appearance. In addition to being an early example of body acceptance, ‘Lydia The Tattooed Lady’ is also an example of how tattoos were becoming more accepted in mainstream culture during this time period.
Today, ‘Lydia The Tattooed Lady’ is still celebrated for its celebration of individuality and body acceptance. It continues to be covered by many artists and remains a classic example of pop culture from the era it was written in.
Who is Responsible for Writing ‘Lydia The Tattooed Lady’?
The classic song ‘Lydia The Tattooed Lady’ was written by Yip Harburg and Harold Arlen in 1939. It was first introduced in the Marx Brothers’ movie At The Circus and became a hit song shortly after its release. Yip Harburg is often referred to as the “poet laureate of the Depression era” and is best known for writing the lyrics to ‘Over the Rainbow’, from The Wizard of Oz. Harold Arlen, a composer, wrote many classic songs including ‘Stormy Weather’ and ‘Get Happy’. He collaborated with many other artists such as Johnny Mercer and Ira Gershwin, creating some of the most memorable music of the 20th century.
Harburg and Arlen wrote ‘Lydia The Tattooed Lady’ for the Marx Brothers film At The Circus. It was sung by Groucho Marx, who performed it in a carnival sideshow setting. The song went on to become a popular standard, with renditions by musicians such as Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong, Judy Garland, Willie Nelson and many others.
Yip Harburg and Harold Arlen are responsible for writing one of the most beloved songs from Hollywood’s golden age, ‘Lydia The Tattooed Lady’. Their collaboration created an enduring classic that has been enjoyed by generations of music lovers around the world.
Who Was The Lyricist For ‘Lydia The Tattooed Lady’?
The lyrics for the song “Lydia the Tattooed Lady” were written by Yip Harburg, one of the most influential lyricists of the 20th century. Harburg wrote the lyrics for a number of classic musicals, including The Wizard of Oz and Finian’s Rainbow. He was also a political activist and a staunch advocate for social justice.
“Lydia the Tattooed Lady” is one of Harburg’s most enduring works, and it has been covered by numerous artists over the years. The song tells a humorous story about a woman named Lydia who is covered in tattoos from head to toe. The lyrics are full of puns and double entendres, such as “She has eyes that folks adore so/And a torso even more so”.
Harburg wrote this song in 1939 for the Marx Brothers’ film At The Circus. It was one of several songs he wrote for their films that showcased his wit and clever wordplay. It was later recorded by Groucho Marx himself, as well as by other artists such as Burl Ives and Ella Fitzgerald.
Yip Harburg was an important figure in American musical theatre, and his legacy lives on through his classic songs like “Lydia the Tattooed Lady”. His witty lyrics and social commentary continue to resonate with audiences around the world.
Groucho Marx
Lydia The Tattooed Lady was created by the famous American comedian, Groucho Marx. He wrote the song for his 1939 film, At The Circus. The song is a parody of a popular vaudeville tune and tells the story of a “tattooed lady” who has “pictures of every beauty from the Brooklyn Bridge to the Golden Gate”. The song was performed in the film by Groucho Marx and Chico Marx. It has been covered by many other artists including Judy Garland, Rosemary Clooney, and Harry Connick Jr.
Groucho Marx was an American comedian, actor, writer, producer, and director. He was one of the most prolific comedic actors of his time and is remembered as one of the greatest comedians in history. He is best known for his work in films such as Duck Soup (1933), A Night at the Opera (1935), and Horse Feathers (1932). He also appeared on television shows such as You Bet Your Life and The Hollywood Palace.
In addition to acting and writing, Groucho Marx also composed songs for many of his films, including Lydia The Tattooed Lady. This song remains one of his most famous compositions and is still widely covered today. It has become a beloved classic that is often performed at concerts or in stage productions.
Identifying the Composer of ‘Lydia The Tattooed Lady’
The popular song ‘Lydia The Tattooed Lady’ was composed in 1939 by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg. It was featured in the MGM film, The Wizard of Oz, and has been covered by numerous artists since then. The song has been a staple in American pop culture for decades, and is often sung at karaoke bars and family gatherings alike.
The song’s lyrics were written by E.Y. Harburg, a theater producer and lyricist who wrote many popular songs during his career such as “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” and “It’s Only A Paper Moon.” Harold Arlen, the composer of the song, was an American composer who wrote some of the most famous songs of all time such as “Stormy Weather” and “Over The Rainbow.” He also wrote music for films such as A Star is Born (1937) and Cabin in the Sky (1943).
Arlen’s musical style was heavily influenced by jazz music and has been described as possessing a sense of swing that makes it instantly recognizable. He often used chromaticism to create tension in his melodies while also utilizing counterpoint to create interesting harmonic progressions. His style was very much ahead of its time and has made him one of the most celebrated composers in history.
Harold Arlen’s collaboration with E.Y Harburg resulted in one of the most beloved songs ever written, ‘Lydia The Tattooed Lady.’ Since its debut in 1939, it has been covered by countless artists ranging from Ella Fitzgerald to Weird Al Yankovic! This timeless classic will continue to bring joy to generations for years to come thanks to its two talented creators Harold Arlen and E.Y Harburg.
Conclusion
The song “Lydia the Tattooed Lady” is a classic show tune written by Harburg and Arlen that has been around for almost a century. It is a timeless classic that has been interpreted in many different ways, from jazz to rock and roll, and from swing to country. The song is a celebration of individuality, and it encourages people to embrace their own unique style. Lydia’s story is an inspiring one, and the song serves as an example of how following your dreams can lead to success.
No matter what genre of music you prefer, “Lydia the Tattooed Lady” is sure to be an enjoyable listen. Its catchy lyrics and memorable chorus make it one of the most iconic songs of the twentieth century. Harburg and Arlen’s classic show tune will continue to be celebrated for years to come.
For anyone who hasn’t heard this classic tune yet, I highly recommend checking it out! You won’t regret it!