Stay Down Here Where You Belong

Last updated
"Stay Down Here Where You Belong"
Stay Down Here Where You Belong (1914) sheet music cover.jpg
Sheet music cover from the Lester S. Levy Collection of Sheet Music
Song
Released1914 (1914)
Genre Popular music
Composer(s) Irving Berlin
Audio sample
Stay Down Here Where You Belong recorded by Henry Burr (1915)

"Stay Down Here Where You Belong" is a pacifist novelty song written by Irving Berlin in 1914. The lyrics depict a conversation between the devil and his son, the devil exhorting him to "stay down here where you belong" because people on Earth do not know right from wrong. [1]

To serve their king, they've all gone off to war.
And not a one of them knows what they're fighting for.

Victor Records paired Burr's recording of the song with his rendition of "I Didn't Raise My Boy to Be a Soldier". [2]

While Henry Burr's recording of the song may have mirrored a large portion of American sentiment during the early days of World War I, the eventual entry of the United States into the conflict and the consequent reversal of the national mood turned the song into a major source of embarrassment for Berlin, who is better known for his subsequent patriotic songs.

One of Berlin's peeves was the penchant of Groucho Marx to sing the song. According to comedian Groucho Marx, Berlin "never wanted to hear the song again", and Marx had always been fascinated by the tune, to the point where he believed he was the only one besides Berlin who knew its entire words and music. [3] Whenever he learned Berlin was the guest of a party, Marx would purposefully arrange that someone ask him to perform the song, much to Berlin's dismay. [3] He claimed to sing it "[loudly], too, and carefully enunciating each word". [3]

During the late 1940s,[ when? ] American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers arranged a "gigantic musical salute" to Berlin, which hosted most of the composers and lyricists in Hollywood. To embarrass Berlin, Marx arranged with Harry Ruby to perform "Stay Down Here Where You Belong." Marx later wrote, "Berlin isn't a large man, and as the song progressed, he seemed to grow even tinier. I suppose it wasn't a very nice thing to do". [3]

Afterwards, Marx claimed Berlin called him over to table and told him, "Whenever you feel an irresistible urge to sing this song, communicate with me immediately by phone and I will send you one hundred dollars not to sing it". [4] [5] [6]

Similarly, Berlin stated, "Every time I see [Groucho], I stick my hand in my pocket and ask him, 'How much if you don't sing it?'" [7]

Marx also performed the song on The Dick Cavett Show in 1971, [8] which appears on his 1972 concert album, An Evening with Groucho . To conclude that performance, he implored viewers to think of American soldiers in Vietnam. [4]

Musicologist Charles Hamm compared the song's topical nature to Berlin's "They're on Their Way to Mexico", [9] performed in 1914 by the Heidelberg Quintet. [10]

It was performed in 1915 on the steamboat Providence during its afternoon concert series, where it was described as a "two-step". [11]

A rendition of "Stay Down Here Where You Belong" appears on 1968 album God Bless Tiny Tim . In the late 20th and early 21st century it has also been performed by the New Leviathan Oriental Foxtrot Orchestra.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Groucho Marx</span> American comedian (1890–1977)

Julius Henry "Groucho" Marx was an American comedian, actor, writer, and singer who performed in films and vaudeville on television, radio, and the stage. He was a master of quick wit and is considered one of America's greatest comedians.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George S. Kaufman</span> American playwright, theater director and producer (1889–1961)

George Simon Kaufman was an American playwright, theater director and producer, humorist, and drama critic. In addition to comedies and political satire, he wrote several musicals for the Marx Brothers and others. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for the musical Of Thee I Sing in 1932, and won again in 1937 for the play You Can't Take It with You. He also won the Tony Award for Best Director in 1951 for the musical Guys and Dolls.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marx Brothers</span> American comedy troupe (1905–1949)

The Marx Brothers were an American family comedy act that was successful in vaudeville, on Broadway, and in 14 motion pictures from 1905 to 1949. Five of the Marx Brothers' fourteen feature films were selected by the American Film Institute (AFI) as among the top 100 comedy films, with two of them, Duck Soup (1933) and A Night at the Opera (1935), in the top fifteen. They are widely considered by critics, scholars and fans to be among the greatest and most influential comedians of the 20th century. The brothers were included in AFI's 100 Years...100 Stars list of the 25 greatest male stars of Classical Hollywood cinema, the only performers to be included collectively.

<i>Animal Crackers</i> (1930 film) 1930 film starring the Four Marx Brothers

Animal Crackers is a 1930 American pre-Code Marx Brothers comedy film directed by Victor Heerman. The film stars the Marx Brothers,, with Lillian Roth and Margaret Dumont, based on the Marxes’ Broadway musical of the same name. Mayhem and zaniness ensue during a weekend party in honor of famed African explorer Captain Jeffrey T. Spaulding. A critical and commercial success upon its initial release, Animal Crackers was shot at Paramount's Astoria Studios in Astoria, Queens, the second film the Brothers would make in New York City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Irving Berlin</span> American songwriter (1888–1989)

Irving Berlin was an American composer and songwriter. His music forms a large part of the Great American Songbook. Berlin received numerous honors including an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, and a Tony Award. He also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Gerald R. Ford in 1977. Broadcast journalist Walter Cronkite stated he "helped write the story of this country, capturing the best of who we are and the dreams that shape our lives".

<i>Duck Soup</i> (1933 film) 1933 Marx Brothers film by Leo McCarey

Duck Soup is a 1933 American pre-Code musical black comedy film written by Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby and directed by Leo McCarey. Released by Paramount Pictures on November 17, 1933, it stars the four Marx Brothers and also features Margaret Dumont, Louis Calhern, Raquel Torres and Edgar Kennedy. Duck Soup was the last of the five Marx Brothers films released by Paramount Pictures. In the film, Groucho portrays the newly installed president of the fictional country of Freedonia. Zeppo is his secretary, while Chico and Harpo are spies for the neighboring country of Sylvania. Relations between Groucho and the Sylvanian ambassador deteriorate during the film, eventually leading the two countries to war.

<i>A Night at the Opera</i> (film) 1935 Marx Brothers film directed by Sam Wood

A Night at the Opera is a 1935 American comedy film starring the Marx Brothers, and featuring Kitty Carlisle, Allan Jones, Margaret Dumont, Sig Ruman, and Walter Woolf King. It was the first of five films the Marx Brothers made under contract for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer after their departure from Paramount Pictures, and the first after Zeppo left the act. The film was written by George S. Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind from a story by James Kevin McGuinness, with additional uncredited dialogue by Al Boasberg. The film was directed by Sam Wood.

<i>God Bless Tiny Tim</i> 1968 studio album by Tiny Tim

God Bless Tiny Tim is the debut studio album by American musician Tiny Tim, released in 1968 by Reprise. It contains a variety of contemporary and traditional pop standards, including his signature hit song "Tiptoe Through The Tulips", which was a Top 20 hit single. God Bless Tiny Tim reached No. 7 on the US Billboard Top LPs chart during a 32-week run.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chico Marx</span> American comedian (1887-1961)

Leonard Joseph "Chico" Marx was an American comedian, actor and pianist. He was the oldest brother in the Marx Brothers comedy troupe, alongside his brothers Arthur ("Harpo"), Julius ("Groucho"), Milton ("Gummo") and Herbert ("Zeppo"). His persona in the act was that of a charming, uneducated but crafty con artist, seemingly of rural Italian origin, who wore shabby clothes and sported a curly-haired wig and Tyrolean hat. On screen, Chico is often in alliance with Harpo, usually as partners in crime, and is also frequently seen trying to con or outfox Groucho. Leonard was the oldest of the Marx Brothers to live past early childhood, the first-born being Manfred Marx who had died in infancy. In addition to his work as a performer, he played an important role in the management and development of the act in its early years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Captain Spaulding</span> Marx Brothers fictional character

Captain Jeffrey T. Spaulding is a fictional character in the Broadway musical Animal Crackers and the film of the same name. He was originally played by actor Groucho Marx, one of the Marx Brothers, in both productions. Despite his middle name being Edgar, he is known as Jeffrey T. Spaulding; his first name is also spelled as "Geoffrey" in parts of the film.

<i>A Day at the Races</i> (film) 1937 Marx Brothers film by Sam Wood

A Day at the Races is a 1937 American comedy film, and the seventh film starring the Marx Brothers, with Allan Jones, Maureen O'Sullivan and Margaret Dumont. Like their previous Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer feature A Night at the Opera, this film was a major hit.

Harry Rubenstein, known professionally as Harry Ruby, was an American pianist, composer, songwriter and screenwriter, who was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970. He was married to silent film actress Eileen Percy.

<i>Monkey Business</i> (1931 film) 1931 film starring the four Marx Brothers

Monkey Business is a 1931 American pre-Code comedy film. It is the third of the Marx Brothers' released movies, and the first with an original screenplay rather than an adaptation of one of their Broadway shows. The film also features Thelma Todd, Harry Woods and Ruth Hall. It is directed by Norman Z. McLeod with screenplay by S. J. Perelman and Will B. Johnstone. Much of the story takes place on an ocean liner crossing the Atlantic Ocean.

"Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better)" is a show tune composed by Irving Berlin for the 1946 Broadway musical Annie Get Your Gun. The song is a duet, with one male singer and one female singer attempting to outdo each other in increasingly complex tasks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Morrie Ryskind</span> American dramatist and conservative activist

Morris "Morrie" Ryskind was an American dramatist, lyricist and writer of theatrical productions and movies who became a conservative political activist later in life.

<i>Double Dynamite</i> 1951 film by Irving Cummings

Double Dynamite is a 1951 American musical comedy film directed by Irving Cummings and starring Jane Russell, Groucho Marx, and Frank Sinatra. The film was written by Leo Rosten (story), Melville Shavelson (screenplay), Mannie Manheim, and Harry Crane.

"Let's Face the Music and Dance" is a song published in 1936 by Irving Berlin for the film Follow the Fleet, where it was introduced by Fred Astaire and featured in a celebrated dance duet with Astaire and Ginger Rogers. The jazz song has also been covered by various artists years following its release, including Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme, Todd Gordon and others.

<i>Ol Brown Ears Is Back</i> 1993 album by Rowlf the Dog

Ol' Brown Ears Is Back is an album released by The Jim Henson Company through BMG Kidz in 1993. The album consists of 14 songs recorded by American puppeteer Jim Henson as the Muppet character Rowlf the Dog. Although released three years after Henson's death, the tracks were recorded in 1984. It was released in CD and cassette form, with the latter including a poster.

<i>The Cocoanuts</i> (musical) Musical by Irving Berlin

The Cocoanuts is a musical with music and lyrics by Irving Berlin and a book by George S. Kaufman, with additional text by Morrie Ryskind.

Hal Borne was an American popular song composer, orchestra leader, music arranger and musical director, who studied music at the University of Illinois. He often collaborated with lyricists Sid Kuller and Ray Golden, including songs for the Marx Brothers and Tony Martin.

References

  1. Paas, John Roger (2014). America Sings of War: American Sheet Music from World War I. Harrassowitz Verlag. p. 8, ISBN   9783447102780.
  2. Catalog of Victor Records: With Biographic Material, Opera Notes, Artist's Portraits, and Special Red Seal and Green Sections. 1917.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Marx, Groucho (2017-07-11). Groucho and Me. Pickle Partners Publishing. ISBN   978-1-78720-663-2.
  4. 1 2 cavettbiter (2009-04-02). Groucho sings STAY DOWN HERE WHERE YOU BELONG . Retrieved 2024-09-18 via YouTube.
  5. Life with Groucho, Arthur Marx, Popular Library Edition, 1960 p. 167
  6. Sullivan, James (2019). Which Side are You On?: 20th Century American History in 100 Protest Songs. Oxford University Press. ISBN   978-0-19-066030-7.
  7. Bergreen, Laurence (1996-03-22). As Thousands Cheer: The Life Of Irving Berlin. Hachette Books. ISBN   978-0-7867-5252-2.
  8. cavettbiter (2009-04-02). Groucho sings STAY DOWN HERE WHERE YOU BELONG . Retrieved 2024-09-18 via YouTube.
  9. Berlin, Irving (1994-01-01). Early Songs, Part 1: 1907-1911. A-R Editions, Inc. ISBN   978-0-89579-305-8.
  10. Berlin, Irving (1994-01-01). Early Songs, Part 1: 1907-1911. A-R Editions, Inc. ISBN   978-0-89579-305-8.
  11. Line, Fall River (1915). Fall River Line Journal. John Polhemus.