Ella Fitzgerald • What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?
Song of the Day: What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve, by Ella Fitzgerald.
What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve is a popular song written in 1947 by Frank Loesser as an independent song — not written for a particular movie or musical.
It was first recorded by Margaret Whiting in 1947 and first charted for The Orioles, peaking at No. 9 on Billboard’s R&B chart in December 1949. Other charted versions include Nancy Wilson (No. 17 on Billboard's Christmas Singles chart in December 1965 and No. 24 on the same chart in December 1967).
Although it is typically performed in December, that was not the composer's intent. In A Most Remarkable Fella: Frank Loesser and the Guys and Dolls in His Life, his daughter Susan Loesser explains that "the singer, madly in love, is making a (possibly rash) commitment far into the future. ("Maybe it's much too early in the game. Ah, but I thought I'd ask you just the same — What are you doing New Year's, New Year's Eve?") It always annoyed my father when the song was sung during the holidays"
Loesser was a Broadway legend known for writing and composing music for shows like Guys and Dolls and How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying. He also penned the wintry musical classic Baby It’s Cold Outside.
Ella Fitzgerald recorded her hit version of the song in 1960. Fitzgerald (1917 – 1996) was an American jazz singer, sometimes referred to as the First Lady of Song, Queen of Jazz, and Lady Ella. She was noted for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing, timing, intonation, and a "horn-like" improvisational ability, particularly in her scat singing.
After a tumultuous adolescence, Fitzgerald found stability in musical success with the Chick Webb Orchestra, performing across the country but most often associated with the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem. Her rendition of the nursery rhyme A-Tisket, A-Tasket helped boost both her and Webb to national fame. After taking over the band when Webb died, Fitzgerald left it behind in 1942 to start her solo career.
While Fitzgerald appeared in movies and as a guest on popular television shows in the second half of the twentieth century, her musical collaborations with Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and The Ink Spots were some of her most notable acts outside of her solo career. In 1993, after a career of nearly 60 years, she gave her last public performance. Three years later, she died at the age of 79 after years of declining health.
Her accolades included fourteen Grammy Awards, the National Medal of Arts, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Though many artists have recorded this song, What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve, over the years, it is Ella Fitzgerald’s version that seems to be most played on radio during the holiday season. The song has come to be associated primarily with her. And no wonder, because her amazing vocal stylings have come to define the song. What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve truly belongs to the elegance and incredible talent of the “First Lady of Song,” the one and only Ella Fitzgerald.
So, whatever you’re doing New Year’s Eve, I hope you’re enjoying many blessings in your life, and that the New Year ahead is the best ever for you.
And thank you so much for reading my little blog this year. I hope it’s been informative.
Happy New Year everyone. 🎆
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But, before you go, I hope you’ll check out some of this great music on the Spotify links below.
First, before we get to Ella, here is my personal playlist on Spotify for New Years 2020/2021. Hope you enjoy it as I have...
New Years Eve 2020/2021 Playlist
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Now, Ella Fitzgerald on Spotify:
What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve
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Next, Rod Stewart, featuring Ella Fitzgerald on Spotify, doing this great song crafted by Rod Stewart in 2012 as a virtual duet between he and Ella. It’s amazing...
What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve
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To be honest, though Ella Fitzgerald’s version of this song is thought to be the classic version, I have to pause and think about it when I hear Karen Carpenter’s voice do the song. I can’t decide my favorite. You be the judge. Take them both for a test drive...
Now, Karen Carpenter on Spotify, singing...
What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve
Full Lyrics
What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve
Ella Fitzgerald
When the bells all ring and the horns all blow
And the couples we know are fondly kissing
Will I be with you or will I be among the missing?
Maybe it's much too early in the game
Ah, but I thought I'd ask you just the same
What are you doing New Year's, New Year's Eve?
Wonder whose arms will hold you good and tight
When it's exactly twelve o'clock that night
Welcoming in the New Year, New Year's Eve
Maybe I'm crazy to suppose
I'd ever be the one you chose
Out of the thousand invitations you received
Ah, but in case I stand one little chance
Here comes the jackpot question in advance
What are you doing New Year's, New Year's Eve?
Oh, what are you doing New Year's, New Year's Eve?
What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?
