Lady of Spain

"Lady of Spain" is a popular song composed in 1931 by Tolchard Evans with lyrics by "Erell Reaves", a pseudonym of Stanley J. Damerell and Robert Hargreaves, and by Henry Tilsley.[1]

For other uses, see Lady of Spain (disambiguation).

Performance

The earliest recordings of this song are sung by Al Bowlly, recorded in 1931 (the year the song was written). He made recordings with Ray Noble's and Roy Fox's orchestras. In 1949, Noble's 1931 recording was reissued with Al Bowlly's original vocal replaced by a dubbed-in vocal trio and the record reached No. 19 in the Billboard charts.[2]

A recording by Eddie Fisher with Hugo Winterhalter and his orchestra was made at Manhattan Center, New York City, on July 18, 1952. It was released by RCA Victor Records as catalog number 20-4953 (in USA)[3] and by EMI on the His Master's Voice label as catalog number B 10362. It was a hit in the US, reaching the No. 6 position in the Billboard charts.[4]

Les Paul's guitar instrumental on Capitol Records also reached the Billboard charts with a peak position of No. 8.[5]

The song was also covered by Bing Crosby[6] and Mario Lanza on their radio shows.

The song is often played on the accordion. Starting in 1947, Dick Contino popularized the song in a Horace Heidt–Philip Morris series of talent contests. This was the theme song of Myron Floren, the accordionist on The Lawrence Welk Show.

Accordionist and composer William Schimmel performs his own concert version (Reality) of Lady of Spain with a series of far-fetched variations on his solo CD Lady of Spain and Other Realities (Newport Classic Records).

The song was also featured in the TV version of Jeeves and Wooster as one of the few songs that the band that some of the members of the Drones Club actually know. They went on to perform this in several locations as black faced minstrels; in one scene, Hugh Laurie (as Bertie Wooster, hiding from the father of an erstwhile fiancée), performed as their vocalist.

In his novel Gravity's Rainbow, Thomas Pynchon references the song. It is mentioned briefly in the description of a party being held by Lieutenant Slothrop.

In the season 3 episode of I Love Lucy titled "Ricky's 'Life' Story" (1953), "Lady of Spain" is sung by Ricky Ricardo (played by Desi Arnaz).

The song was also featured in the 1977 film Slap Shot, where player/coach Reggie Dunlop (played by Paul Newman) tears up the organist's music and tells him "Don't ever play 'Lady Of Spain' again!". This line is still popular today in several teams' arenas, where the fans will respond with Newman's line if "Lady Of Spain" is played during the game.[7]

"Lady of Spain" was performed by Marvin Suggs on his Muppaphone on The Muppet Show and appears on the Muppet Show 25th anniversary compilation The Muppet Show: Music, Mayhem, and More.

In popular British Sitcom 'Allo 'Allo, in episode "All in Disgeese", M Alfonse plays "Lady of Spain" on accordion.

The appearance of a reigning Lady of Spain is part of Cotati, California's annual Cotati Accordion Festival since 1990.[8]

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References
  1. "secondhandsongs". secondhandsongs.com. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  2. Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. p. 338. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
  3. Settlemier, Tyrone (December 30, 2009). "RCA Victor in the 20-4500 to 20-4999 series". The Online Discographical Project. Retrieved 7 May 2011.
  4. Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. p. 158. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
  5. Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. p. 349. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
  6. "A Bing Crosby Discography". BING magazine. International Club Crosby. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  7. Mastovich, Mike (February 22, 2009). "Chiefs ready to hit the road in rival's bus - Chiefs - The Tribune Democrat, Johnstown, PA". The Tribune-Democrat. The Tribune-Democrat. Retrieved May 7, 2011.
  8. But what’s an accordion festival without the Lady of Spain? 2008 "At 2 p.m. Saturday and 1:25 p.m. Sunday she’ll make her appearance along with the release of 50 white doves. Goree said that many people have worried about the doves these past years. "They all are trained to fly home, so people shouldn’t worry, it’s not a cruel act, just part of the show." Last year reigning Lady of Spain Ruth Edwards performed a mock-death on stage followed by a resurrection of a new Lady, Big Lou Seekins who will take over as the Lady of Spain this year. "The Lady of Spain is definitely one of the festival favorites," said Goree.
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