Porter, Cole. (1891–1964)
Signed Document: Porter Consents to the use of his name in the Rodgers/Hart song "I Like to Recognize the Tune."
DS, three pages, 8.5 x 11, June 6, 1943. Between Loew's Incorporated and the great composer and lyricist who consents to the use of his name “in the lyrics of a song entitled ‘I Like To Recognize The Tune’ written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart…to be used in connection with your photoplay tentatively entitled, ‘Meet the People.” The document goes on to quote the lyrics in full, with the verse mentioning Porter reading: “We murder the music of Mozart / We’re poison to Irving Berlin / We always slaughter the tunes of Cole Porter / And do it again and again.” Signed at the conclusion in black ink by Porter. In fine condition, with expected document wear. Handsomely framed together with a photograph of Porter. 36 x 20 inches total. Framed to 20.5 x 35 inches.Originally written for the 1939 Broadway musical Too Many Girls, the song was later sung by June Allyson in 1944’s Meet the People, which starred Lucille Ball and Dick Powell. The lyrics lament the distortions of melody inherent in Jazz and Swing: "I like to recognize the tune / I want to savvy what the band is playing / I keep saying, "Must you bury the tune?" In his autobiography, Musical Stages, Richard Rodgers described the motivations that inspired the song: "we voiced objection to the musical distortions, then so much a part of pop music because of the swing-band influence." (14464)
Signed Document/Item Song