"I Can't Give You Anything but Love, Baby" is an American popular song and

jazz standard Jazz standards are musical compositions that are an important part of the musical repertoire of jazz musicians, in that they are widely known, performed, and recorded by jazz musicians, and widely known by listeners. There is no definitive li ...

Jimmy McHugh James Francis McHugh (July 10, 1894 – May 23, 1969) was an American composer. One of the most prolific songwriters from the 1920s to the 1950s, he is credited with over 500 songs. His songs were recorded by many artists, including Chet Baker, Ju ...

(music) and

Dorothy Fields Dorothy Fields (July 15, 1904 – March 28, 1974) was an American librettist and lyricist. She wrote over 400 songs for Broadway musicals and films. Her best-known pieces include "The Way You Look Tonight" (1936), "A Fine Romance" (1936), " On t ...

(lyrics). The song was introduced by

Adelaide Hall Adelaide Louise Hall (20 October 1901 – 7 November 1993) was an American-born UK-based jazz singer and entertainer. Her long career spanned more than 70 years from 1921 until her death and she was a major figure in the Harlem Renaissance. Hal ...

at Les Ambassadeurs Club in New York in January 1928 in Lew Leslie's ''Blackbird Revue'', which opened on Broadway later that year as the highly successful ''

Blackbirds of 1928 ''Blackbirds of 1928'' was a hit Broadway musical revue that starred Adelaide Hall, Bill Bojangles Robinson, Tim Moore and Aida Ward, with music by Jimmy McHugh and lyrics by Dorothy Fields. It contained the hit songs "Diga Diga Do", the duo's ...

'' (518 performances), wherein it was performed by Adelaide Hall,

Aida Ward Aida Ward (February 11, 1900 – June 23, 1984) was an American jazz singer. Born in Washington, D.C., Ward rose to fame in the 1920s and 1930s in New York, on Broadway and at Harlem's Cotton Club. She appeared alongside Adelaide Hall and Bill "B ...

, and Willard McLean. Vu (magazine) N°77

In the 100-most recorded songs from 1890 to 1954, "I Can't Give You Anything But Love, Baby" (1928) is No. 24.

Background

and

had written the score for a revue at Les Ambassadeurs Club on 57th Street, New York, which featured the vocalist

. However, the producer Lew Leslie believed that they still missed a 'smash' tune. The team pondered for a while before finally playing Leslie "I Can't Give You Anything but Love, Baby". This was the song Leslie had been looking for and he immediately included it in the revue. One advertisement called it "the song success of the Nation." ''Blackbird Revue'' opened on January 4, 1928, with Adelaide Hall singing "I Can't Give You Anything but Love, Baby" solo. Later on, Fields and McHugh wrote a second half for the revue and Leslie expanded the production. With extra songs and extra performers added (including the vocalist

), Leslie renamed the revue

and took the full production for a tryout in Atlantic City, New Jersey, where it appeared at Nixon's Apollo Theatre. On May 9, 1928, Blackbirds of 1928 opened at the

Liberty Theatre The Liberty Theatre is a former Broadway theater at 234 West 42nd Street in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Opened in 1904, the theater was designed by Herts & Tallant and built for Klaw and Erlanger, the partnersh ...

, Broadway. The idea behind the song came during a stroll Fields and McHugh were taking one evening down

Fifth Avenue Fifth Avenue is a major and prominent thoroughfare in the borough of Manhattan in New York City. It stretches north from Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village to West 143rd Street in Harlem. It is one of the most expensive shopping ...

; they saw a young couple window-shopping at

Tiffany's Tiffany & Co. (colloquially known as Tiffany's) is a high-end luxury jewelry and specialty retailer, headquartered on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. It sells jewelry, sterling silver, porcelain, crystal, stationery, fragrances, water bottles, watc ...

. McHugh and Fields understood that the couple could not afford to buy jewelry from Tiffany's, but nevertheless they drew closer to them. It was then they heard the man say, "Gee, honey I'd like to get you a sparkler like that, but right now, i can't give you nothin' but love!" Hearing this, McHugh and Fields rushed to a nearby

Steinway Tunnel The Steinway Tunnel is a pair of tubes carrying the IRT Flushing Line () of the New York City Subway under the East River between 42nd Street in Manhattan and 51st Avenue in Long Island City, Queens, in New York City. It was originally designed ...

, and within an hour they came up with "I Can't Give You Anything but Love, Baby". Some controversy surrounds the song's authorship.

Andy Razaf Andy Razaf (born Andriamanantena Paul Razafinkarefo; December 16, 1895 – February 3, 1973) was an American poet, composer and lyricist of such well-known songs as " Ain't Misbehavin'" and " Honeysuckle Rose". Biography Razaf was born in Wash ...

's biographer Harry Singer offers circumstantial evidence that suggests

Fats Waller Thomas Wright "Fats" Waller (May 21, 1904 – December 15, 1943) was an American jazz pianist, organist, composer, violinist, singer, and comedic entertainer. His innovations in the Harlem stride style laid much of the basis for modern jazz pi ...

might have sold the melody to McHugh in 1926 and that the lyrics were by Andy Razaf. Alternatively,

Philip Furia Philip George Furia (November 15, 1943 – April 3, 2019) was an American author and English literature professor. His books focus on the lyricists of the Tin Pan Alley era. Biography Furia was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Ethel Rose Sz ...

has pointed out that Fields' verse is almost identical to the end of the second verse of

Lorenz Hart Lorenz Milton Hart (May 2, 1895 – November 22, 1943) was an American lyricist and half of the Broadway songwriting team Rodgers and Hart. Some of his more famous lyrics include "Blue Moon", " The Lady Is a Tramp", "Manhattan", " Bewitched, B ...

's and

Richard Rodgers Richard Charles Rodgers (June 28, 1902 – December 30, 1979) was an American composer who worked primarily in musical theater. With 43 Broadway musicals and over 900 songs to his credit, Rodgers was one of the most well-known American ...

' song "Where's That Rainbow?" from ''

Peggy-Ann ''Peggy-Ann'' is a musical comedy with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Lorenz Hart and book by Herbert Fields, based on the 1910 musical '' Tillie’s Nightmare'' by Edgar Smith. Production The musical opened on Broadway at the Vanderbilt The ...

'', the 1926 musical comedy with book by Fields' brother

Herbert Herbert may refer to: People Individuals * Herbert (musician), a pseudonym of Matthew Herbert Name * Herbert (given name) * Herbert (surname) Places Antarctica * Herbert Mountains, Coats Land * Herbert Sound, Graham Land Australia * Herbert ...

and produced by their father Lew:

Recorded versions

* Mildred Grizelle (released by Gennett Records in 1928 under the New Electrobeam (Black Label) catalog number 6646, with the flip side "Low Down" by Virginia Lee *

Sam Lanin Samuel Charles Lanin (September 4, 1891 – May 5, 1977) was an American jazz bandleader. Lanin's brothers, Howard and Lester, were also bandleaders, and all of them had sustained careers in music. Lanin was one of ten children born to Benjamin ...

, with vocals provided by

Irving Kaufman Irving Robert Kaufman (June 24, 1910 – February 1, 1992) was a United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern Dis ...

(May 1928) *

Johnny Hamp Johnnie Hamp (sometimes referred to as John Hamp, or Johnny Hamp) is a British television producer, now retired. He is responsible for the early British television appearances of such acts as the Beatles, Burt Bacharach, Cannon and Ball, Paul Dan ...

's Kentucky Serenaders (vocal by H. White; recorded May 17, 1928, released by Victor as catalog number 21414A, with the flip side "

Sweet Lorraine "Sweet Lorraine" is a popular song with music by Cliff Burwell and words by Mitchell Parish that was published in 1928 and has become a jazz standard. It is written in F major and has an AABA structure. A version by Teddy Wilson charted in Octobe ...

") * Seger Ellis and his Orchestra (recorded June 8, 1928, released by OKeh as catalog number 41077, with the flip side "Don't Keep Me in the Dark, Bright Eyes" * The Goofus Five and their Orchestra (recorded June 27, 1928, released by OKeh as catalog number 41069, with the flip side "Ready for the River" * Gay Ellis (pseudonym for

Annette Hanshaw Catherine Annette Hanshaw (October 18, 1901 – March 13, 1985) was an American Jazz Age singer. She was one of the most popular radio stars of the late 1920s and early 1930s. Over four million of her records had been sold by 1934. In her ten-y ...

; vocal by Hanshaw, recorded July 24, 1928, released by

Harmony In music, harmony is the process by which individual sounds are joined together or composed into whole units or compositions. Often, the term harmony refers to simultaneously occurring frequencies, pitches ( tones, notes), or chords. Howeve ...

as catalog number 706-HHarmony Records in the 1001P to 2027P series
/ref> and by Supertone as catalog number 1005P,
/ref> both with the flip side "I Must Have That Man") *

Rube Bloom Reuben Bloom (April 24, 1902 – March 30, 1976) was an American songwriter, pianist, arranger, band leader, recording artist, vocalist, and author. Life and career Bloom was born and died in New York City. He was Jewish. During his career, he ...

(recorded August 2, 1928, released by OKeh as catalog number 41117, with the flip side "Because My Baby Don't Mean 'Maybe' Now") * Hollywood Dance Orchestra (recorded August 7, 1928, released by Challenge as catalog number 536,Challenge Records in the 500 to 999 series
/ref> also released by Banner as catalog number 7193;
/ref> also released under the name Jewel Dance Orchestra by Jewel as catalog number,Jewel Records in the 5000 to 5499 series
/ref> all with the flip side "Raggedy Maggie" *

Harry Richman Harry Richman (born Henry Reichman Jr.; August 10, 1895 – November 3, 1972) was an American singer, actor, dancer, comedian, pianist, songwriter, bandleader, and nightclub performer, at his most popular in the 1920s and 1930s. In his peak yea ...

(recorded August 28, 1928, released by Brunswick as catalog number 4035, with the flip side "King for a Day") * Shilkret's Rhyth-Melodists (recorded September 22, 1928, released by Victor as catalog number 21688, with the flip side "I'm Sorry, Sally") *

Duke Ellington Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and leader of his eponymous jazz orchestra from 1923 through the rest of his life. Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Ellington was bas ...

and his Orchestra (recorded October 30, 1928, released by

Montgomery Ward Montgomery Ward is the name of two successive U.S. retail corporations. The original Montgomery Ward & Co. was a world-pioneering mail-order business and later also a leading department store chain that operated between 1872 and 2001. The curr ...

as catalog number 4990, with the flip side " Memories of You") *

Lee Sims Lee Sims (April 30, 1898 - May 7, 1966) was an American pianist, composer, record maker, publisher and performer. Early life Lee Sims was born April 30, 1898 in Champaign, Illinois, under the full name Cleo Orville Sims. Cedar Rapids, Iowa was ...

(recorded November 1928, released by Brunswick as catalog number 4152A, with the flip side " Sonny Boy") *

Gene Austin Lemeul Eugene Lucas (June 24, 1900 – January 24, 1972), better known by his stage name Gene Austin, was an American singer and songwriter, one of the early " crooners". His recording of " My Blue Heaven" sold over 5 million copies and was for ...

(recorded November 23, 1928, released by Victor as catalog number 21798, with the flip side "I Wonder if You Miss Me Tonight"Victor Records in the 21500 to 21999 series
/ref>) *

Abe Lyman Abe Lyman (August 4, 1897 – October 23, 1957) was a popular bandleader from the 1920s to the 1940s. He made recordings, appeared in films and provided the music for numerous radio shows, including ''Your Hit Parade''. His name at birth was Abra ...

and his Californians (recorded November 26, 1928, released by Brunswick as catalog number 4136, with the flip side "Baby"Brunswick Records in the 4000 to 4499 series
/ref> * Ukulele Ike (

Cliff Edwards Clifton Avon "Cliff" Edwards (June 14, 1895 – July 17, 1971), nicknamed "Ukulele Ike", was an American singer, musician and actor. He enjoyed considerable popularity in the 1920s and early 1930s, specializing in jazzy renditions of pop standar ...

) in New York, Dec. 7, 1928—Columbia 1471-D Columbia 5068 *

Louis Armstrong Louis Daniel Armstrong (August 4, 1901 – July 6, 1971), nicknamed "Satchmo", "Satch", and "Pops", was an American trumpeter and Singing, vocalist. He was among the most influential figures in jazz. His career spanned five decades and se ...

(recorded March 5, 1929, released by Columbia with the flip side "Black and Blue"Columbia Records in the 38000 to 38499 series
/ref> and with the flip side "

Mood Indigo "Mood Indigo" is a jazz song with music by Duke Ellington and Barney Bigard and lyrics by Irving Mills. Composition Although Irving Mills—Jack Mills's brother and publishing partner—took credit for the lyrics, Mitchell Parish claimed in ...

"); also released by OKeh both with the flip side "No One Else but You". For other Louis Armstrong versions, including a 1943 film performance see Ricky Riccardi's treatment of the song. Armstrong had a history of performing this song at the Savoy and Regal before he recorded it. * Mills Brothers (recorded December 22, 1932, released by Brunswick as catalog number 6519, with the flip side "Diga Diga Doo"Brunswick Records in the 6500 to 6999 series
/ref>) *

Ethel Waters Ethel Waters (October 31, 1896 – September 1, 1977) was an American singer and actress. Waters frequently performed jazz, swing, and pop music on the Broadway stage and in concerts. She began her career in the 1920s singing blues. Her no ...

with

(recorded December 22, 1932, released by Brunswick as catalog number 6517, with the flip side "Doin' the New Lowdown", and as catalog number 6758, with the flip side "Porgy") *

Bob Wills James Robert Wills (March 6, 1905 – May 13, 1975) was an American Western swing musician, songwriter, and bandleader. Considered by music authorities as the founder of Western swing, he was known widely as the King of Western Swing (although ...

and his Texas Playboys (recorded September 23, 1935, released by Columbiaas catalog number 37703Columbia Records in the 37500 to 37999 series
/ref> and by Vocalion as catalog number 03264,
/ref> both with the flip side "Never No More Blues") *

Billie Holiday Billie Holiday (born Eleanora Fagan; April 7, 1915 – July 17, 1959) was an American jazz and swing music singer. Nicknamed "Lady Day" by her friend and music partner, Lester Young, Holiday had an innovative influence on jazz music and pop s ...

(1936) * Lee O'Daniel Hillbilly Boys (recorded June 10, 1937, released by Vocalion as catalog number 03753, with the flip side "Thank You, Mr. Moon"Vocalion Records in the 3500 to 3999 series
/ref>) *

Benny Goodman Benjamin David Goodman (May 30, 1909 – June 13, 1986) was an American clarinetist and bandleader known as the "King of Swing". From 1936 until the mid-1940s, Goodman led one of the most popular swing big bands in the United States. His conc ...

and his Orchestra (recorded September 6, 1937, released by Victor as catalog number 25678, with the flip side "Sugar Foot Stomp") *

Cootie Williams Charles Melvin "Cootie" Williams (July 10, 1911 – September 15, 1985) was an American jazz, jump blues, and rhythm and blues trumpeter. Biography Born in Mobile, Alabama, Williams began his professional career at the age of 14 with the Y ...

Rug Cutters (recorded October 26, 1937, released by Vocalion as catalog number 3890, with the flip side "Watching") *

accompanied by

, HMV, August 28, 1938, London, recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London *

Joe Sullivan Michael Joseph O'Sullivan (November 4, 1906 – October 13, 1971) was an American jazz pianist. Sullivan was the ninth child of Irish immigrant parents. He studied classical piano for 12 years and at age 17, he began to play popular music in si ...

(recorded February 9, 1940, released by Conqueror as catalog number 9503Conqueror Records in the 9500 to 9960 series
/ref> and by Vocalion as catalog number 5496,
/ref> both with the flip side " Oh, Lady Be Good") * Benny Goodman Sextet (recorded December 18, 1940, released by Columbia as catalog number 36755, with the flip side "Fiesta in Blue") * King Cole Quintet (recorded in 1942, released by Disc as catalog number 2011, with the flip side "Pro-Sky") * Ted Straeter and his Orchestra (recorded March 24, 1942, released by Decca as catalog number 18308B, with the flip side "

What Is This Thing Called Love? "What Is This Thing Called Love?" is a 1929 popular song written by Cole Porter, for the musical '' Wake Up and Dream''. It was first performed by Elsie Carlisle in March 1929. The song has become a popular jazz standard and one of Porter's most ...

") *

Glenn Miller Alton Glen Miller (March 1, 1904 – December 15, 1944) was an American big band founder, owner, conductor, composer, arranger, trombone player and recording artist before and during World War II, when he was an officer in the US Army Air Forc ...

and the Army Air Forces Training Command Orchestra recorded the song in 1944 with Peanuts Hucko on vocals, released as

V-Disc V-Disc ( "V" for Victory) was a record label that was formed in 1943 to provide records for U.S. military personnel. Captain Robert Vincent supervised the label from the Special Services division. Many popular singers, big bands, and orches ...

No. 482A in August 1945 *

Jonah Jones Jonah Jones (born Robert Elliott Jones; December 31, 1909 – April 29, 2000) was a jazz trumpeter who created concise versions of jazz and swing and jazz standards that appealed to a mass audience. In the jazz community, he is known for his wo ...

Septet (recorded September 4, 1946, released by

Prestige Prestige refers to a good reputation or high esteem; in earlier usage, ''prestige'' meant "showiness". (19th c.) Prestige may also refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Films * ''Prestige'' (film), a 1932 American film directed by Tay Garnet ...

as an extended-play disc, catalog number PR-7604 and by Swing Records in France as catalog number 228, with the flip side "That's the Lick") *

Rose Murphy Rose Murphy (April 28, 1913 – November 16, 1989) was an American jazz pianist and singer, famous for the song "Busy Line" and her unique vocal style.Brethour, Ross, sleevenotes to ''Busy Line'', a Rose Murphy best of compilation, Body and Soul, ...

(recorded December 1947, released by Mercury as catalog number 8111, with the flip side "Cecelia").

Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons The Four Seasons are an American rock and pop band formed in 1960 in Newark, New Jersey. Since 1970, they have also been known at times as Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. The band evolved out of a previous band called The Four Lovers, with ...

later did a version of the song, inspired by Rose's, for their debut album

Sherry & 11 Others ''Sherry & 11 Others'' is the debut album by The Four Seasons, released by Vee-Jay Records under catalog number LP-1053 as a monophonic recording in 1962 and later in stereo under catalog number SR-1053 the same year. Track listing Personne ...

in 1962. *

Ben Pollack Ben Pollack (June 22, 1903 – June 7, 1971) was an American drummer and bandleader from the mid-1920s through the swing era. His eye for talent led him to employ musicians such as Benny Goodman, Jack Teagarden, Glenn Miller, Jimmy McPartland, ...

's Pickarib Boys (recorded February 28, 1950, released by

Discovery Discovery may refer to: * Discovery (observation), observing or finding something unknown * Discovery (fiction), a character's learning something unknown * Discovery (law), a process in courts of law relating to evidence Discovery, The Discove ...

as catalog number 131) *

Louis Jordan Louis Thomas Jordan (July 8, 1908 – February 4, 1975) was an American saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and bandleader who was popular from the late 1930s to the early 1950s. Known as " the King of the Jukebox", he earned his high ...

(recorded March 1, 1951, released by Decca as catalog number 27620 with the flip side "You Will Always Have a Friend") *

Lester Young Lester Willis Young (August 27, 1909 – March 15, 1959), nicknamed "Pres" or "Prez", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist and occasional clarinetist. Coming to prominence while a member of Count Basie's orchestra, Young was one of the most ...

(recorded November 28, 1952, released by Norgran in 1954 on ''

Lester Young with the Oscar Peterson Trio ''Lester Young with the Oscar Peterson Trio'' is a 1954 studio album by Lester Young, accompanied by Oscar Peterson's working trio of the time (featuring Ray Brown and Barney Kessel), plus drummer J. C. Heard. The music on this album was origin ...

'') *

Doris Day Doris Day (born Doris Mary Kappelhoff; April 3, 1922 – May 13, 2019) was an American actress, singer, and activist. She began her career as a big band singer in 1939, achieving commercial success in 1945 with two No. 1 recordings, " Sent ...

(1953 – not released as a single but recorded for a radio program; eventually released in the album ''Doris Day Sings 22 Original Recordings'' by

Hindsight Hindsight bias, also known as the knew-it-all-along phenomenon or creeping determinism, is the common tendency for people to perceive past events as having been more predictable than they actually were. People often believe that after an event ha ...

in 1987) *

Oscar Peterson Oscar Emmanuel Peterson (August 15, 1925 – December 23, 2007) was a Canadian virtuoso jazz pianist and composer. Considered one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time, Peterson released more than 200 recordings, won seven Grammy Awards, ...

(recorded May 21, 1953, released by Mercury as catalog number 89062, with the flip side "Spring Is Here", also released by Mercury subsidiary Clef under the same catalog number) *

Bing Crosby Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby Jr. (May 3, 1903 – October 14, 1977) was an American singer, musician and actor. The first multimedia star, he was one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th century worldwide. He was a ...

included the song in his album ''

Some Fine Old Chestnuts ''Some Fine Old Chestnuts'' was Bing Crosby's second studio album for Decca Records, recorded and released as a 10" LP in 1954. The 1954 edition of ''Some Fine Old Chestnuts'' featured eight standards mastered on June 26, 1953, from tracks recor ...

'' (1954) *

Ella Fitzgerald Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917June 15, 1996) was an American jazz singer, sometimes referred to as the "First Lady of Song", "Queen of Jazz", and "Lady Ella". She was noted for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing, timing, in ...

(1957) recorded live on the Verve release "Ella at Zardi's" *

Dean Martin Dean Martin (born Dino Paul Crocetti; June 7, 1917 – December 25, 1995) was an American singer, actor and comedian. One of the most popular and enduring American entertainers of the mid-20th century, Martin was nicknamed "The King of Cool". M ...

(recorded January 28, 1957, released by Capitol as catalog number 3718 8 rpmref name=Martin7
Dean Martin 78 rpm discography on the Dean Martin fan site
/ref> and F-3718

5 rpm 5 (five) is a number, numeral and digit. It is the natural number, and cardinal number, following 4 and preceding 6, and is a prime number. It has attained significance throughout history in part because typical humans have five digits on ...

Dean Martin 45 rpm discography on the Dean Martin fan site
/ref> with the flip side "I Never Had a Chance") *

Judy Garland Judy Garland (born Frances Ethel Gumm; June 10, 1922June 22, 1969) was an American actress and singer. While critically acclaimed for many different roles throughout her career, she is widely known for playing the part of Dorothy Gale in '' The ...

included the song in her album ''Judy In Love'' (1958). Garland also recorded a different version of the song on her live album,

Judy at Carnegie Hall ''Judy at Carnegie Hall'' is a double-LP (re-released decades later as an extended, two-disc CD) live recording of a concert by Judy Garland at Carnegie Hall in New York, with backing orchestra led by Mort Lindsey. This concert appearance, on the ...

(1961). *

Sonny Stitt Edward Hammond Boatner Jr. (February 2, 1924 – July 22, 1982), known professionally as Sonny Stitt, was an American jazz saxophonist of the bebop/ hard bop idiom. Known for his warm tone, he was one of the best-documented saxophonists of h ...

(recorded May 18, 1959, released by Verve in 1959 on "

Sonny Stitt Sits in with the Oscar Peterson Trio ''Sonny Stitt Sits in with the Oscar Peterson Trio'' is a 1959 album by Sonny Stitt, accompanied by the Oscar Peterson trio. Reception '' The Penguin Guide to Jazz'' rated the album three and a half stars out of four and wrote of the session, " ...

") *

Marlene Dietrich Marie Magdalene "Marlene" DietrichBorn as Maria Magdalena, not Marie Magdalene, according to Dietrich's biography by her daughter, Maria Riva ; however Dietrich's biography by Charlotte Chandler cites "Marie Magdalene" as her birth name . (, ; ...

(1965) *

Diana Krall Diana Jean Krall (born November 16, 1964) is a Canadian jazz pianist and singer known for her contralto vocals. She has sold more than 15 million albums worldwide, including over six million in the US. On December 11, 2009, ''Billboard'' maga ...

(released in 1999) on her album '' When I Look In Your Eyes''. *

June Christy June Christy (born Shirley Luster; November 20, 1925June 21, 1990) was an American singer, known for her work in the cool jazz genre and for her silky smooth vocals. Her success as a singer began with The Stan Kenton Orchestra. She pursued a so ...

– ''

Cool Christy ''Cool Christy'' is a 2002 double-CD compilation of recordings by jazz vocalist June Christy from 1945 to 1951. Disc one # " Tampico" (Gene Roland) # "It's Been a Long, Long Time" ( Jule Styne, Sammy Cahn) # "It Ain't Necessarily So" (George Ge ...

'' (2002) *

Regis Philbin Regis Francis Xavier Philbin (; August 25, 1931 – July 25, 2020)Archived aGhostarchiveand thWayback Machine was an American television presenter, talk show host, game show host, comedian, actor, and singer. Once called "the hardest working ma ...

– ''When You're Smiling'' (2004) *

Jerry Lee Lewis Jerry Lee Lewis (September 29, 1935October 28, 2022) was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. Nicknamed "The Killer", he was described as " rock & roll's first great wild man". A pioneer of rock and roll and rockabilly music, Lewis mad ...

- ''The (Complete) Session Recorded in London with Great Guest Artists'' (recorded January 1973, released 2006; Mercury) *

Lorna Luft Lorna Luft (born November 21, 1952) is an American actress, author, and singer. She is the daughter of Judy Garland and Sidney Luft and the half-sister of Liza Minnelli. Early life Luft was born on November 21, 1952, at Saint John's Health Cent ...

– ''Songs My Mother Taught Me'' (2007) * The Hot Sardines on their eponymous album released in 2014 *

Buddy Morrow Buddy Morrow (born Muni Zudekoff, aka Moe Zudekoff; February 8, 1919 – September 27, 2010) was an American trombonist and bandleader. Career On a scholarship at age 16, Morrow studied trombone with Ernest Horatio Clarke (1865–1947) at Juill ...

(released by

RCA Victor RCA Records is an American record label currently owned by Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America. It is one of Sony Music's four flagship labels, alongside RCA's former long-time rival Columbia Records; also A ...

as catalog number 20–3947, with the flip side "Our Song of Love") *

Peggy Lee Norma Deloris Egstrom (May 26, 1920 – January 21, 2002), known professionally as Peggy Lee, was an American jazz and popular music singer, songwriter, composer, and actress, over a career spanning seven decades. From her beginning as a vocalis ...

and

Dave Barbour David Michael Barbour (May 28, 1912 – December 11, 1965) was an American jazz guitarist. He was married to singer Peggy Lee and was her co-writer, accompanist, and bandleader. Biography Barbour was born in Long Island, New York, United States ...

(released by Capitol as catalog numbers 511 and 10118, both with the flip side "Why Don't You Do Right?")

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga version

Composition and reception

The version of "I Can't Give You Anything but Love" on ''Cheek to Cheek'' has

Tony Bennett Anthony Dominick Benedetto (born August 3, 1926), known professionally as Tony Bennett, is an American retired singer of traditional pop standards, big band, show tunes, and jazz. Bennett is also a painter, having created works under his birt ...

and

Lady Gaga Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta ( ; born March 28, 1986), known professionally as Lady Gaga, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She is known for her image reinventions and musical versatility. Gaga began performing as a teenag ...

alternating verses alongside piano, a brass section and drums. She also altered the lyrics to sing "Gee, I'd like to say you're looking swell, Tony", who later rejoins with the line "Diamond bracelets won't work, doesn't sell, Gaga". Jeff Benjamin from

Fuse Fuse or FUSE may refer to: Devices * Fuse (electrical), a device used in electrical systems to protect against excessive current ** Fuse (automotive), a class of fuses for vehicles * Fuse (hydraulic), a device used in hydraulic systems to protect ...

was positive in his review, saying that " ere's a walking

bassline Bassline (also known as a bass line or bass part) is the term used in many styles of music, such as blues, jazz, funk, Dub music, dub and electronic music, electronic, traditional music, traditional, or classical music for the low-pitched Part ( ...

, gospel organs and brassy horn blasts to back the pair's soulful crooning. And while we love listening to Gaga and Tony, we really get into the throwback vibe when the trumpet solo kicks in. Trey Barrineau from ''

USA Today ''USA Today'' (stylized in all uppercase) is an American daily middle-market newspaper and news broadcasting company. Founded by Al Neuharth on September 15, 1982, the newspaper operates from Gannett's corporate headquarters in Tysons, Virgini ...

'' complimented the duos vocals, saying that the song "really swings". Jesse David Fox from ''

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...

'' also gave a positive review, stating that "lot has been written about the creative and commercial shortcomings of Gaga's last record, 'Artpop''.html"_;"title="Artpop.html"_;"title="'Artpop">'Artpop''">Artpop.html"_;"title="'Artpop">'Artpop''_but_I,_for_one,_am_glad_about_its_failure –_because_anything_that_frees_her_up_to_record_more_music_with_Tony_Bennett_is_a_win_in_my_book._'I_Can't_Give_You_Anything_but_Love'_is_a_great_example;_Tony_Bennett_might_be_88,_but_it's_Gaga_who_hasn't_sounded_this_alive_in_years."_A_writer_for_''Next_Magazine_(Chinese_magazine).html" ;"title="Artpop">'Artpop''.html" ;"title="Artpop.html" ;"title="'Artpop">'Artpop''">Artpop.html" ;"title="'Artpop">'Artpop'' but I, for one, am glad about its failure – because anything that frees her up to record more music with Tony Bennett is a win in my book. 'I Can't Give You Anything but Love' is a great example; Tony Bennett might be 88, but it's Gaga who hasn't sounded this alive in years." A writer for ''Next Magazine (Chinese magazine)">Next Magazine'' declared that Gaga sounded "absolutely stellar" in the song, and found it to be a "vocal vehicle" for the artist to "show off" her singing. Debra Kamin from ''The Times of Israel'' praised Gaga's vocals on "I Can't Give You Anything but Love", for her range and control.

MTV News MTV News is the news production division of MTV. The service is available in the US with localized versions on MTV's global network. In February 2016, MTV Networks confirmed it would refresh the MTV News brand in 2016, to compete with the likes ...

critic Gil Kaufman described the track as "funky". Alexa Camp from ''

Slant Magazine ''Slant Magazine'' is an American online publication that features reviews of movies, music, TV, DVDs, theater, and video games, as well as interviews with actors, directors, and musicians. The site covers various film festivals like the New Yo ...

'' gave a negative review, saying that "for a singer who isn't even 30, Gaga's voice is shockingly rough-hewn".

Release and commercial performance

"I Can't Give You Anything but Love" was released as the second single from Bennett's and Lady Gaga's first collaborative album ''

Cheek to Cheek "Cheek to Cheek" is a song written by Irving Berlin in 1934–35, specifically for the star of his new musical, Fred Astaire. The movie was ''Top Hat'', co-starring Ginger Rogers.

'' (2014) on August 19, 2014. Gaga announced the release on Twitter, accompanied by the single's cover art. On October 6, two remixes of the song were made available for digital download. Remix by Italian

record producer A record producer is a recording project's creative and technical leader, commanding studio time and coaching artists, and in popular genres typically creates the song's very sound and structure.Virgil Moorefield"Introduction" ''The Producer as ...

Giorgio Moroder Giovanni Giorgio Moroder (, ; born 26 April 1940) is an Italian composer, songwriter, and record producer. Dubbed the " Father of Disco", Moroder is credited with pioneering euro disco and electronic dance music. His work with synthesizers had ...

was released exclusively to

Idolator An idolator is a practitioner of idolatry. Idolater or Idolator may also refer to: Books *''Os Idólatras'', 1968 Portuguese novel by Maria Judite de Carvalho Music * Idolator (website), an American music blog * ''Idolator'' (album), third album ...

website. The chords of the original version was changed, with Moroder adding synths and a bassline, complementing the vocals of Bennett and Gaga. Another remix, was an

Earmilk ''EARMILK'', sometimes stylized in all caps, is a North American online music publication. Launched in the late 2000s by Montrey Whittaker, Blake Edwards and Eric DeFazio, ''Earmilk'' publishes on a variety of music genres, often covering hip h ...

exclusive and was made by Austrian musician Parov Stelar. He changed the cover into a "bouncy jazz house mix that provides a perfect compliment to the stars' seasoned vocals". Additionally,

Universal Music Group Universal Music Group N.V. (often abbreviated as UMG and referred to as just Universal Music) is a Dutch–American multinational music corporation under Dutch law. UMG's corporate headquarters are located in Hilversum, Netherlands and its ...

sent the single to Italian

radios Radio is the technology of signaling and communicating using radio waves. Radio waves are electromagnetic waves of frequency between 30 hertz (Hz) and 300 gigahertz (GHz). They are generated by an electronic device called a transmitt ...

on January 16, 2015. After its release, "I Can't Give You Anything but Love" debuted at number-one on the Jazz Digital Songs chart of ''

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'', on the week ending September 6, 2014. The single also appeared on national charts of France and Italy at numbers 173 and 76 respectively.

Music video

An official

music video A music video is a video of variable duration, that integrates a music song or a music album with imagery that is produced for promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a music marketing devic ...

for the song was released on August 26, 2014. The video was shot in the recording studio and the first half showed Gaga in numerous outfits and wigs, while recording the song and roaming around. Bennett joins the studio sessions later on, singing the song. The final chorus finds the two singers belting together, described as "join ngforces for a peculiar, yet potent blend of styles that transcends generations and genres". Jon Blistein from ''

Rolling Stone ''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first known for its ...

'' complimented the video, saying that it "proves aga and Bennettexude a unique, adorable brand of musical chemistry". Maurice Bobb from

noticed the "bare essence" of the duo in the video and added that Gaga appeared "overwhelmingly subdued", but felt that "her playful energy still shines through as she preens and shimmies to ennett'ssmooth crooning." Nolan Feeney from ''

Time Time is the continued sequence of existence and event (philosophy), events that occurs in an apparently irreversible process, irreversible succession from the past, through the present, into the future. It is a component quantity of various me ...

'' that Gaga appeared normal in the video and added that "she's still fun to watch even when she's just hanging out in the vocal both (and dressed like a relatively normal human, no less)." Katie Atkinson from ''Billboard'' declared that "If you love the adorable friendship between glam pop queen Lady Gaga and classic crooner Tony Bennett, you'll definitely want to see the breezy behind-the-scenes studio video of the pair for 'I Can't Give You Anything but Love'." Idolator's Mike Wass described the video in detail, calling it the "perfect antidote for Gaga's overwhelming, more-is-more ''

Artpop ''Artpop'' (stylized in all caps) is the third studio album by American singer Lady Gaga. It was released on November 6, 2013, by Streamline and Interscope Records. Gaga began planning the project in 2011, shortly after the launch of her second ...

'' visuals... The swingin' standard is a nice fit for Gaga and Tony. It allows them to riff off each other and ham it up (ever so slightly). Those shenanigans are captured in the studio-based video, which finds Mother Monster modeling a variety of wigs and smoking a cigar. Her suave companion looks a little bemused but he's clearly having a good time."

Charts

Release history

Use in the media

* In the 1931 short film ''The Birthday Party'', the song is performed as a duet between Mickey and Minnie Mouse. * The song is featured in the screwball comedy ''

Bringing Up Baby ''Bringing Up Baby'' is a 1938 American screwball comedy film directed by Howard Hawks, and starring Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant. It was released by RKO Radio Pictures. The film tells the story of a paleontologist in a number of predi ...

'' (1938) in several scenes, since apparently the song is the only thing that placates the surly leopard named Baby, which quirky heiress Susan Vance (

Katharine Hepburn Katharine Houghton Hepburn (May 12, 1907 – June 29, 2003) was an American actress in film, stage, and television. Her career as a Hollywood leading lady spanned over 60 years. She was known for her headstrong independence, spirited perso ...

) and befuddled paleontologist Dr. David Huxley (

Cary Grant Cary Grant (born Archibald Alec Leach; January 18, 1904November 29, 1986) was an English-American actor. He was known for his Mid-Atlantic accent, debonair demeanor, light-hearted approach to acting, and sense of comic timing. He was one of ...

) have to bring to her aunt. * In '' Seven Sinners'' (1940), the song is performed by the character Bijou Blanche, portrayed by

. *

Lena Horne Lena Mary Calhoun Horne (June 30, 1917 – May 9, 2010) was an American dancer, actress, singer, and civil rights activist. Horne's career spanned more than seventy years, appearing in film, television, and theatre. Horne joined the chorus of th ...

performed this song in the film '' Stormy Weather'' (1943). * Judy Holliday sings this while playing cards in the film '' Born Yesterday'' (1950). * The song is sung by the strip-club MC in John Cassavetes' film ''

The Killing of a Chinese Bookie ''The Killing of a Chinese Bookie'' is a 1976 American neo-noir crime film written and directed by John Cassavetes and starring Ben Gazzara. A rough and gritty film, this is the second of their three collaborations, following ''Husbands'' and pre ...

'' (1976). * The song is featured in the short animation ''

Contract A contract is a legally enforceable agreement between two or more parties that creates, defines, and governs mutual rights and obligations between them. A contract typically involves the transfer of goods, services, money, or a promise to tr ...

'' (1985). * The song is used in the film version of '' The Green Mile'' (1999). * The song is featured in the 2006 Tony Award-winning Broadway play ''

Jersey Boys ''Jersey Boys'' is a jukebox musical with music by Bob Gaudio, lyrics by Bob Crewe, and book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. It is presented in a documentary-style format that dramatizes the formation, success and eventual break-up of the ...

'' (along with the 2014

film adaptation A film adaptation is the transfer of a work or story, in whole or in part, to a feature film. Although often considered a type of derivative work, film adaptation has been conceptualized recently by academic scholars such as Robert Stam as a dia ...

of the same name). * The song is played during the episode "He's Our You" of ''

Lost Lost may refer to getting lost, or to: Geography * Lost, Aberdeenshire, a hamlet in Scotland *Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail, or LOST, a hiking and cycling trail in Florida, US History *Abbreviation of lost work, any work which is known to have bee ...

''. * The song is played during '' The Aviator'' (2004). * A version of the song sung by

is played during the opening credits of '' Married Life'' (2007).

References

External links

* * * {{authority control 1928 songs Ella Fitzgerald songs Judy Garland songs Lady Gaga songs Louis Jordan songs Songs with lyrics by Dorothy Fields Songs with music by Jimmy McHugh Tony Bennett songs Okeh Records singles