Cocktails for Two

"Cocktails for Two" is a song from the Big Band era, written by Arthur Johnston and Sam Coslow. The song debuted in the movie Murder at the Vanities (1934), where it was introduced by the Danish singer and actor Carl Brisson. Duke Ellington's version of the song was recorded in 1934 and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2007.

"Cocktails for Two"
Song by Carl Brisson
Published1934
GenreSwing
Songwriter(s)Arthur Johnston, Sam Coslow

The song seems to refer to the ending of Prohibition in the United States. Mentioned discreetly in the song's introduction is that people could be "carefree and gay once again". The song was written in 1934, and the 21st Amendment, which ended Prohibition, was ratified in December of the previous year.

Renditions

Early recordings in 1934 were also by Johnny Green and Will Osborne[1] but "Cocktails for Two" is best remembered today due to the comic, sound effects-laden version by Spike Jones and His City Slickers.[2] The Slickers first recorded it in 1944 with Carl Grayson supplying the vocal. It was their biggest all-time hit, reaching number 4 on the charts, according to Joel Whitburn. Sam Coslow hated Jones' irreverent treatment.[3] Even so, the recording's success earned him large royalties.

Jonathan and Darlene Edwards (a comedy act by Paul Weston and Jo Stafford) also lampooned the song on their first LP, The Piano Artistry of Jonathan Edwards, released in 1957.

Bing Crosby recorded the song in 1955[4] for use on his radio show and it was subsequently included in the box set The Bing Crosby CBS Radio Recordings (1954-56) issued by Mosaic Records (catalog MD7-245) in 2009.[5]

Other covers include Zarah Leander's Swedish version for Odeon in 1934, Tommy Dorsey's swing version for Victor (#26145) on October 31, 1938, Keely Smith's version on her album Politely! (1958),[6] and Ray Charles and Betty Carter for their album Ray Charles and Betty Carter (1961).

References
  1. Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. Wisconsin, USA: Record Research Inc. p. 456. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
  2. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1633224/m1/#track/4
  3. Coslow, Sam (1977). Cocktails for Two: The Many Lives of Giant Songwriter Sam Coslow. Arlington House. p. 145. ISBN 0870003925. Retrieved 2013-05-10. ... the question I am most frequently asked is how I felt about Spike Jones's famous recording of 'Cocktails for Two' ... I hated it, and thought it was in the worst possible taste, desecrating what I felt was one of my most beautiful songs.
  4. "A Bing Crosby Discography". BING magazine. International Club Crosby. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  5. "allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  6. "Discogs.com". Discogs.com. Retrieved December 1, 2017.

Further reading
  • Coslow, Sam (1977). Cocktails for Two. New York: Arlington House. ISBN 0-87000-392-5.
  • Young, Jordan R. (2005). Spike Jones Off the Record: The Man Who Murdered Music. (3rd edition) Albany: BearManor Media ISBN 1-59393-012-7.
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