How About You?

Album: Babes On Broadway (1941)
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Songfacts®:

  • This popular tune was written by composer Burton Lane and lyricist Ralph Freed for the 1941 Busby Berkeley movie musical Babes On Broadway, starring Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney. The lighthearted song, performed as a duet between Garland and Rooney, finds two young lovers comparing notes on their interests before committing to a relationship.
  • Garland released this as a non-album single in 1941, backed by "F.D.R. Jones."
  • This has been recorded several times over the years with slight lyrical alterations to reflect the changing times. For example, Garland claims Franklin Roosevelt's looks give her a thrill, but Frank Sinatra - who recorded the tune in 1956 - admires comedian James Durante's features (he was known for his prominent nose). Sinatra did, however, cover the original version with Tommy Dorsey's band in 1941. In Bobby Darin's version from his 1961 album, Love Swings, he pays tribute to "Mr. Kennedy's looks." At the time, John F. Kennedy was president and his brother Robert F. Kennedy (who Darin also greatly admired) was Attorney General.
  • This is prominently featured in several other films. Anne Bancroft (dubbed by singer Eve Marley) performed it in the film noir Don't Bother To Knock (1952). Denea Wilde sang it at a nightclub in Get Carter (1971). In The Goodbye Girl (1977), Richard Dreyfuss sang part of it during a romantic rooftop date. Harry Nilsson also recorded it for The Fisher King soundtrack in 1991.
  • This has also been covered by Shirley Bassey, Joni James, Steve Lawrence, and Michael Feinstein. Rosemary Clooney also recorded it a few times, including duets with Bing Crosby in 1958 and Barry Manilow in 1998.
  • In the I Love Lucy episode "The Dancing Star" (1955), Lucille Ball and Van Johnson sing and dance to the tune. In this variation, Van is gaga over film star Greta Garbo's looks.
  • This is also the name of a 2007 movie starring Joss Ackland and Hayley Atwell. Bobby Darin's version is used in the film, where it's also sung by actress Vanessa Redgrave.

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