Should I? (song)

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"Should I?"
Song by Arden– Ohman Orchestra
Published1929 by Robbins Music Corp.
RecordedJuly 29, 1929 (1929-07-29) [1]
Genre
Length3:15
Label Victor 53960
Composer(s) Nacio Herb Brown
Lyricist(s) Arthur Freed

"Should I?" is a song with music by Nacio Herb Brown and lyrics by Arthur Freed, first published in 1929. It was originally written for the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film Lord Byron of Broadway (1930), where it was introduced by singer and actor Charles Kaley. [2] The song became a major hit, charting at number 3 on Billboard for 11 weeks in 1930. [3]

Contents

Background

The first recording of "Should I?" was on July 29, 1929, by Arden– Ohman Orchestra with Scrappy Lambert providing vocals. [1]

In 1931, the song was recorded in Polish by Henryk Wars' Vocal Group under the title "Ja wiem o twej miłości" (eng. "I Know About Your Love"). The translation was made by Andrzej Włast. [4]

Re-arranged by Conrad Salinger, Wally Heglin and Skip Martin, "Should I?" appeared in the musical film Singin' in the Rain (1952). [5] Under the musical direction of Lennie Hayton, it was briefly sung by character actor Wilson Wood parodying Rudy Vallee during the "Beautiful Girl Montage" segment. [6] A portion of the song had also been featured in the 1943 MGM musical film, Thousands Cheer , sung by Georgia Carroll as part of a medley built around an unrelated song, "I Dug a Ditch" by the Kay Kyser orchestra, for which Carroll was a featured vocalist.

Notable recordings

DateMain recording artistVocalistNotesRef.
July 29, 1929 Arden– Ohman Orchestra Scrappy Lambert Lambert credited as "Burt Lorin". [1]
October 10, 1929 The Harmonians Tom Frawley [1]
October 18, 1929 Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra Jack Fulton [1]
November 17, 1929Jesse Stafford and his OrchestraJesse Stafford [1]
December 5, 1929Frank Munn and his OrchestraFrank MunnCredited as "Paul Oliver". [1]
December 23, 1929 Phil Spitalny and his Orchestra instrumentalCredited as "Hotel Pennsylvania Music". [1]
December 24, 1929Charles KaleyFeatured in Lord Byron of Broadway . [1]
January 15, 1930Jack Miller and the New EnglandersJack Miller [1]
February 18, 1930 Jimmie Noone's Apex Club Orchestra Jimmie Noone [1]
February 20, 1930The Rondoliers [1]
February 28, 1930 Seger Ellis Featuring Tommy Dorsey and Eddie Lang. [1]
c. 1931 Chór Henryka Warsa Polish version "Ja wiem o twej miłości". [4]
October 20, 1947 André Previn instrumentalFeaturing Al Viola and Jackie Mills. [1]
April 24, 1950 Frank Sinatra Released on the Sing and Dance with Frank Sinatra album. [7]
c. 1951Lennie Hayton [5] Wilson Wood Soundtrack recording for Singin' in the Rain and part of the "Beautiful Girl Montage" medley. [6] [8]
September 19, 1956 Nat King Cole Recording included on From The Capitol Vaults (Vol. 3) compilation album. [9]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1930)Peak
position
US Billboard [3] 3

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "Nacio Herb Brown – Discography of American Historical Recordings".
  2. Whitburn, Joel (1986). Pop Memories 1890-1954 . Wisconsin, USA: Record Research Inc. p.  104. ISBN   0-89820-083-0.
  3. 1 2 "Songs from the Year 1930". tsort.info. Retrieved 2023-05-29.
  4. 1 2 "Ja wiem o twej miłości". Stare Melodie. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
  5. 1 2 "Full credits of Singin' in the Rain – Internet Movie Database". imdb.com. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  6. 1 2 "Wilson Wood – Internet Movie Database". imdb.com. Retrieved 2023-06-17.
  7. Should I? at AllMusic
  8. "Soundtracks for Singin' in the Rain – Internet Movie Database". imdb.com. Retrieved 2023-06-17.
  9. "Nat King Cole With Nelson Riddle's Orchestra – Recording History". imdb.com. Retrieved 2023-06-17.