The Big Apple: “New York, New York (It’s a Helluva Town)” (1945)

A plaque remaining from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem.

Above, a 1934 plaque from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem. Discarded as trash in 2006. Now a Popeye's fast food restaurant on Google Maps.

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Above, Big Apple Corner at 54th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. Google Maps.

Above, John J. Fitz Gerald, from the Aug. 15, 1931, Binghamton (NY) Press, pg. 14.

Listen to Robert Emmerich introduce "The Big Apple," a hit song from 1937. Music written by Bob and performed by Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven with Bob on piano. Lyrics written by Buddy Bernier and sung by Edythe Wright. Audio provided by Dorothy Emmerich.

Also listen to a 1937 "The Big Apple" song by Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra. See a 1929 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald and a 1931 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald.

This site is edited by Barry Popik.

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Entry from November 15, 2004

“New York, New York (It’s a Helluva Town)” (1945)

"New York, New York (It's a Helluva Town)" (1945) (or "It's a Wonderful Town," for those who prefer these lyrics) was written by Leonard Bernstein, Betty Comden, and Adolph Green for the popular New York musical On the Town.

The filmed version of On the Town (with Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly) is pretty good, too.

This song gives Kander and Ebb's "New York, New York" a good run for the money whenever people think of an official city song.

Copyright restrictions prevent reproducing the full lyrics here, but they do appear on other web sites.

Posted by Barry Popik
Music/Dance/Theatre/Film/Circus • (0) Comments • Monday, November 15, 2004 • Permalink