Arlen's " Got the World on a String ( sittin' on a Rainbow) Although Arlen is sometimes mistakenly viewed as basically a purveyor of the blues and unhappy love affairs,( Stormy Weather, Ill Wind, Man That Got Away) He wrote quite a number of upbeat, positive songs like Get Happy, Over The Rainbow, Right As The Rain and this song " I've Got The World on a String. Arlen and Koehler wrote this for the Cotton Club Parade of 1932. It starts out with a verse that sings " Merry Month of May, Sunny Skies of Blue, Clouds have rolled Away and The Sun Peeps Through-Happiness" . Do these words not exude a positive view of life?
In the main chorus, Koehler states that "I've Got The World on a String, Sittin' on a Rainbow, Got The String Around My Finger What A World, What A Life. I'm In Love."
The bridge or mid-section boldly states " Life is a Beautiful Thing" and the rest of the song continues in this buoyant fashion with Arlen's supple melody underscoring the energetic lyrics.
The first version is by Ella Fitzgerald who did a 2 CD collection of Arlen songs. She sings the delightful verse which sets up the theme carried through the main chorus and the bridge.
The second version features Frank Sinatra in a swinging arrangement by Nelson Riddle. He does not sing the verse but offers an equally valid forceful treatment in contrast with Ella's more restrained praise of the positive. ( A future post will showcase an Arlen/Johnny Mercer classic titled " Accentuate the Positive", further proof the Arlen was most capable of seeing the sunny side of life.
Fitzgerald Link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ay-OnkUtrjg
Sinatra Link :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cPG1t52GgI
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