Gertrude Lawrence - Mad About The Boy 1932 Noel Coward "Words and Music"

(Decca) Written by Noel Coward. "Mad About the Boy" is a popular song with words and music by actor and playwright Sir Noël Coward. It was introduced in the 1932 revue Words and Music by Joyce Barbour, Steffi Duna, Norah Howard and Doris Hare. The song deals with the theme of unrequited love for a film star. It was written to be sung by female characters, although Coward also wrote a version, which was never performed, that contained references to the risqué topic of homosexual love. The song gained new popularity in 1992 when Dinah Washington's rendition was used in the Levi's television advertisement "Swimmer", directed by Tarsem Singh. Gertrude Lawrence (4 July 1898 – 6 September 1952) was an English actress, singer, dancer and musical comedy performer known for her stage appearances in the West End of London and on Broadway in New York. According to the New York Times, 5,000 people crowded the intersection of East 55th Street and Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, while 1,800 others, including Yul Brynner, Connecticut Governor John Davis Lodge, Marlene Dietrich, Phil Silvers, Luise Rainer, Moss Hart and his wife Kitty Carlisle, filled Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church for Lawrence's funeral. In his eulogy, Oscar Hammerstein II quoted from an essay on death written by poet and novelist Rabindranath Tagore. Lawrence was buried in the champagne-coloured gown worn for the "Shall We Dance?" number in the second act of The King and I, and she was interred in the Aldrich family plot in Lakeview Cemetery in Upton, Massachusetts. She was the first person for whom the house lights were dimmed in all Broadway theatres due to her death. Lyrics: I met him at a party a couple of years ago He was rather overhearty and rediculous But as ive seen him on the screen he caused a cast a certain spell I've basked in his attraction A couple of eyes or so His manners were a fraction so meticulous. If he was real or not I couldnt tell But like a silly fool i fell Mad about the boy I know its stupid to be mad about the boy. I'm so ashamed of it but must admit the sleepness nights I've had without the boy On the silver screen he melts my foolish heart in every single scene Although im quite aware that here and there are traces of the care about the boy Lord knows im not a fool girl I really shouldnt care Lord knows im not a school girl In the flurry of her first affair Will it ever cloy this odd diversity Of misery and joy I'm feeling quite insane and Young again And all because im mad about The boy Brass section I'm hardly sentimental love isnt served at mine I have to pay my rental And i cant afford to waste much time If i could employ a little magic that would finally destroy This dream That pains me and then chains me But i cant because I'm Mad about the boy