Wikipedia

I'll See You in C-U-B-A

"I'll See You in C-U-B-A" is a 1919 popular foxtrot Tin Pan Alley[1] song written by Irving Berlin, for musical revue The Greenwich Village Follies.[2] The Follies first opened on July 15, 1919.[2]

"I'll See You In C-U-B-A"
Sheet music cover, 1920.
Song
Written1919
ReleasedFebruary 26, 1920 (1920-02-26)
Songwriter(s)Irving Berlin

In the song, the singer persuades the audience to travel to Cuba "where wine is flowing", as a response to the 1920 prohibition of alcohol in the United States. It also epitomizes the friendly relations between Cuba and the United States, prior to the 1952 Cuban Revolution era.

The music "features simple rhythms and melodies and no direct Cuban musical influences".[1]

In January 1920, the song was recorded by pop vocalist Billy Murray under the Victor label.[3]

In February 1920, baritone Jack Kaufman[4] recorded a version with Columbia Records; this version incorporates portions of "Habanera" from Bizet's Carmen.[5] Kaufman's version was published as the B-side to Al Jolson singing "That Wonderful Kid From Madrid".[5]

Bing Crosby and Trudy Erwin performed a duet of the song in October, 1946.[6]

Nat King Cole recorded the song in 1956.

Cuban actor Desi Arnaz (as Ricky Ricardo) performs the song to impress a Hollywood agent in 1952 I Love Lucy episode, "Ricky's Mustache".[7]

Lyrics and sheet music

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Both the music and lyrics were composed by Berlin circa 1919.[2]

Not so far from here,

There's a very lively atmosphere,

Ev'rybody's going there this year;

And there's a reason:

The season opened last July,

Ever since the U.S.A. went dry,

Ev'rybody's going there and I'm going too

I'm on my way to

Cuba, there's where I'm going,

Cuba, there's where I'll stay.

Cuba, where wine is flowing

And where darkeyed Stellas

Light their fellers' panatellas,

Cuba, where all is happy,

Cuba, where all is gay;

Why don't you plan a wonderful trip,

to Havana? Hop on a ship,

And I'll see you in C-U-B-A.

Take a friend's advice,

Drinking in a cellar isn't nice,

Anybody who has got the price;

Should be a Cuban:

Have you been longing for the 'smile'

That you haven't had for quite a while,

If you have, then follow me and I'll show the way

Cuba, there's where I'm going,

Cuba, there's where I'll stay.

Cuba, where wine is flowing

And where darkeyed Stellas

Light their fellers' panatellas,

Cuba, where all is happy,

Cuba, where all is gay;

Why don't you plan a wonderful trip

to Havana? Hop on a ship,

And I'll see you in C-U-B-A.[8]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Storhoff, Timothy P. (2020-10-21). Harmony and Normalization: US-Cuban Musical Diplomacy. Univ. Press of Mississippi. p. 5. ISBN 978-1-4968-3091-3.
  2. ^ a b c "The Greenwich Village Follies [1919]". The Greenwich Village Follies [1919]. The Internet Broadway Database. July 21, 2024. Archived from the original on 2020-03-30.
  3. ^ "I'll see you in C-U-B-A". Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
  4. ^ "Jack Kaufman". Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
  5. ^ a b "Al Jolson / Jack Kaufman (2) – That Wonderful Kid From Madrid / I'll See You In C-U-B-A". Discogs. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  6. ^ Billboard. Billboard.
  7. ^ Paramount Plus (2022-02-23). The Mustache. Retrieved 2024-07-21 – via YouTube.
  8. ^ Herder, Ronald (1998-01-01). 500 Best-loved Song Lyrics. Courier Corporation. p. 153. ISBN 978-0-486-29725-5.
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