Composer

:

George Gershwin

Genre

:

Musical Theatre

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1926

Average_duration

:

2:56

"I'd Rather Charleston" is a musical number composed by George Gershwin in 1926. The song was written for the Broadway musical "Lady, Be Good!" which premiered on December 1, 1924, at the Liberty Theatre in New York City. The musical was a hit and ran for 330 performances. The plot of "Lady, Be Good!" revolves around a brother and sister, Dick and Susie Trevor, who are struggling to make a living as songwriters. They are broke and on the verge of being evicted from their apartment when they receive a letter from a wealthy man offering to buy one of their songs for $15,000. The catch is that they have to be established as a successful songwriting team first. The rest of the musical follows their attempts to become successful and the various hijinks that ensue. "I'd Rather Charleston" is performed in the second act of the musical. The song is a duet between Dick and Susie as they try to come up with a hit song. The lyrics express their desire to write a song that will be popular and make them famous. The title of the song refers to the popular dance craze of the time, the Charleston. The music of "I'd Rather Charleston" is typical of Gershwin's style. It is upbeat and catchy, with a syncopated rhythm that is perfect for dancing. The melody is simple but memorable, and the harmonies are lush and jazzy. The song features a call-and-response section between the two singers, which adds to its playful and fun nature. The premiere of "Lady, Be Good!" was a huge success, and "I'd Rather Charleston" quickly became one of the most popular songs from the show. The musical was later adapted into a film in 1941, starring Eleanor Powell and Robert Young. The song has since been covered by numerous artists and remains a beloved classic of the American musical theater. Overall, "I'd Rather Charleston" is a fun and lively musical number that showcases Gershwin's talent for writing catchy and memorable tunes. Its popularity has endured for nearly a century, and it remains a beloved part of the American musical canon.

More....