Puttin' On the Ritz is a song originally written by Irving Berlin. He wrote it in May 1927 and first published it on December 2, 1929.
The song serves as both the opening and ending credit theme for the Married... with Children spin-off, Top of the Heap.
Background[]
Although written in 1927, the song did not become well known until 1930, when it was featured in the musical film Puttin' On the Ritz (1930), where it was sung by It was introduced by Harry Richman and chorus. The song was popularized by Fred Astaire with various record labels releasing their own version of the song.
The original version of the song included references to the then-popular fad of flashily dressed but poor black residents of Harlem, New York parading up and down Lenox Avenue, "Spending ev'ry dime / For a wonderful time".
in 1946, Berlin revised the original lyrics for the film Blue Skies. The revised lyrics highlight the consumerism and folly of the general public. The revised lyrics are the more commonly used ones for cover version of the song.
Cover Versions[]
One of the most famous version was performed in the 1972 film, Young Frankenstein by Gene Wilder and Peter Boyle.
Another popular cover versions is the 1982 version by Dutch singer, Taco, which features a synth-pop / new wave sound. The music video garnered some controversy due to it featuring several people in blackface, leading to it being banned on several music video channels. until a revised version was made.
Usage on Top of the Heap[]
The version used as the opening for Top of the Heap is performed by Kenny Yarbrough. It features a lounge jazz sound and uses a modified version of the refrain from the original lyrics.
The ending credits uses an instrumental version of the song.
Lyrics Used on TOTH[]
(...on the ritz, on the ritz)
If you're blue and you don't know where to go to
Why don't you go where fashion sits
(...on the ritz, on the ritz)
Puttin' on the ritz
Ah!
Diff'rent types who wear a day coat, pants with stripes
And cutaway coat, perfect fits?
Puttin' on the ritz
Dressed up like a million-dollar trouper
Trying hard to look like Gary Cooper
Anyway you know...
Come, let's mix where Rockefellers walk with sticks
Or "um-ber-ellas" in their mitts
Puttin' on the ritz
(...on the ritz, on the ritz)
Puttin' on the ritz
Yeah!