Sheet music cover, 1919
"Alice Blue Gown " is a popular song written by Joseph McCarthy and Harry Tierney . The song, which was inspired by Alice Roosevelt Longworth 's signature gown , was first performed by Edith Day in the 1919 Broadway musical Irene .[ 1] In 1920 the song was recorded and released.[ 2]
Artists who have recorded the song include Duke Ellington , Kate & Anna McGarrigle with Lilly Lanken & Rufus Wainwright , Glenn Miller , Wayne King , Frank Sinatra , Chet Atkins , and Lenny Breau . Carol Burnett sang the song as a spoof while wearing a fatsuit for the opening number of the March 29, 1975 episode of her eponymous variety show .[ 3] [ 4] [ 5] Liza Minnelli , daughter of Judy Garland , sang it on her mother's Christmas show in December 1963.[ 6] [circular reference ]
The song is about Irene's favourite dress which she wore until it was worn out, and begins:[ 7]
I once had a gown it was almost new
Oh, the daintiest thing, it was sweet Alice Blue
See also
References
^ Furia, Philip & Lasser, Michael L. (2006), America's Songs: The Stories Behind the Songs of Broadway, Hollywood, and the Tin Pan Handle , New York: Routledge
^ "Edith Day - Irene / Alice Blue Gown" . Discogs . Retrieved 17 August 2018 .
^ Carol Burnett Collection of Television Music and Printed Sheet Music, 1967-1978.
^ The Carol Burnett Show. March 29, 1975. Guest stars: Jean Stapleton, Phil Silvers.
^ The Carol Burnett Show: Video. March 29, 1975.
^ "The Judy Garland Show" . en.m.wikipedia.org . Retrieved 11 February 2022 .
^ Duke University Libraries Sheet Music Archive