The Songbook became, and remains, a vital repertoire of jazz musicians. The song has been performed by Ella Fitzgerald, Lee Wiley, Oscar Peterson, Tony Martin, Mel Torme, Blossom Dearie and Dinah Washington, amongst others and was originally written by Rodgers and Hart for the revue “Garrick Gaieties” which debuted on Broadway in 1925. It was introduced by Sterling Holloway, an American character actor who appeared in 150 films and television shows, and June Cochran.
The song describes, in a number of choruses, the simple delights that Manhattan has to offer for a young couple, talking of places to go, things to see, plays to watch, and since its debut has appeared regularly in popular culture.
It was first heard in the short television film “Makers of Melody” in 1929, as a tribute to Rodgers and Hart sung by Ruth Tester, a singer and dancer in Broadway musicals of the 1920s and 1930s, and Allan Gould and has been used in numerous other films throughout subsequent decades, right up to its most recent appearance in a 2007 episode of “Mad Men”. In the early and mid-1950s, singer Julius la Rosa became a national celebrity for his exposure on several of the shows hosted by Arthur Godfrey, one of the most popular television stars of the era.
In October 195, Julius sung “ Manhattan” on one of Godfrey’s radio shows and immediately after he finished the song, Godfrey fired him live on air, with the words “ that was Julius’ swan song with us.”
Summer journeys to Niag'ra and to other places aggra- vate all our cares.
We'll save our fares!
I've a cozy little flat in what is known as old Manhattan we'll settle down right here in town!
We'll have Manhattan the Bronx and Staten Island too.
It's lovely going through the zoo!
It's very fancy on old Delancy street you know.
The subway charms us so when balmy breezes blow to and fro.
And tell me what street compares with Mott Street in July?
Sweet pushcarts gently gli-ding by.
The great big city's a wonderous toy just made for a girl and boy.
We'll turn Manhattan into an isle of joy!
We'll go to Yonkers Where true love conquers In the whiles
And starve together dear, in Chiles
We'll go to Coney
And eat baloney on a roll In Central Park we'll stroll
Where our first kiss we stole Soul to soul
And "My Fair Lady" is a terrific show they say
We both may see it close, some day
The city's glamour can never spoil
The dreams of a boy and goil
We'll turn Manhattan into an isle of joy!
