Composer

:

George Gershwin

Genre

:

Musical Theatre

Style

:

Show/Musical

Compose Date

:

1926

Average_duration

:

3:24

"Maybe" is a musical number composed by George Gershwin in 1926. It was written for the musical "Oh, Kay!" which premiered on November 8, 1926, at the Imperial Theatre in New York City. The musical was a collaboration between George and his brother Ira Gershwin, who wrote the lyrics. The plot of "Oh, Kay!" revolves around a bootlegger named Jimmy Winter who falls in love with a woman named Constance. However, Constance is already engaged to a British aristocrat named Sir Evelyn Oakleigh. The musical is set in the 1920s during the prohibition era, and the characters are all involved in various illegal activities. "Maybe" is sung by the character of Lady Kay, who is Jimmy's sister. Lady Kay is a wealthy socialite who is bored with her life and is looking for excitement. In the song, she sings about the possibility of finding love and adventure, but also acknowledges that it may not happen. The lyrics are reflective of the uncertainty and excitement of the time period, as people were breaking free from traditional social norms and exploring new possibilities. The music of "Maybe" is characterized by its upbeat tempo and jazzy rhythms. It features a catchy melody that is typical of Gershwin's style, with syncopated rhythms and unexpected chord changes. The song is also notable for its use of scat singing, a technique where the singer improvises nonsense syllables to create a rhythmic effect. "Maybe" was a popular song when it was first released, and it has since become a jazz standard. It has been covered by many artists over the years, including Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, and Diana Krall. The song's enduring popularity is a testament to Gershwin's talent as a composer and his ability to capture the spirit of his time.

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