Mr. Paganini (Sam Coslow)

« If You Can’t Sing It, You’ll Have to Swing It (Mr. Paganini) » is a song written by Sam Coslow that is strongly associated with Ella Fitzgerald.

It was first recorded by Martha Raye accompanied by Bob Burns, Louis Prima and Sons of the Pioneers for Rhythm on the Range, a 1936 Paramount Pictures musical film directed by Norman Taurog.

Ella Fitzgerald recorded it with Chick Webb band on 29 October 1936, and it became a firm fixture of her live performances, providing a springboard for her scat singing.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1d5yo

Now it is a reference for  singers as Natalie Cole, Patti Austin, Regina Belle, or the young Nikki Yanofsky, and many others…

Lyrics :

The concert was over in Carnagie Hall
The maestro took bow after bow
He said, “My dear friends, I have given my all
I’m sorry, it’s all over now”

When from the balcony way up high
There suddenly came a mournful cry

Oh, Mr. Paganini
Please play my rhapsody
And if you cannot play it, won’t you sing it?
And if you can’t sing it you simply have to

Only, only, only, only on Mr. Paganini
We breathlessly await your masterful détente
Go on and sling it
And if you can’t sling it you simply have to

We heard your repertoire and at the final bar
We greeted you with a round of applause
But what a great ovation, your interpretation of

‘I never cared much for moonlight skies
I never blinked back at fireflies’ would do

So Paganini
Don’t you be a meanie
What have you up your sleeve?
Come on and spring it
And if you can’t spring it you simply have to

Listen Paganini
Please play my rhapsody
And if you cannot play it, won’t you sing it?
If the boys are bopping, ain’t no need in stopping

Listen Paganini
We breathlessly await your masterful détente
Come on and spring it
If the boys is bopping ain’t no need in stopping

I heard your repertoire and at the final bar
We greeted you, we greeted you
With wild applause
But what a great ovation, your interpretation of

Listen Paganini
Now, don’t you be a meanie
What have you up your sleeve?
Come on and spring it
And if you can’t spring it
You simply have to swing it

The concert was over in Carnagie Hall
The maestro took bow after bow
He said, “My dear friends, I have given my all