"Down in the Depths (on the Ninetieth Floor)" is a
torch song
A torch song is a sentimental love song, typically one in which the singer laments an unrequited or lost love, either where one party is oblivious to the existence of the other, where one party has moved on, or where a romantic affair has affecte ...
written by
Cole Porter
Cole Albert Porter (June 9, 1891 – October 15, 1964) was an American composer and songwriter. Many of his songs became standards noted for their witty, urbane lyrics, and many of his scores found success on Broadway and in film.
Born to ...
, for his 1936 musical ''
Red, Hot and Blue
''Red, Hot and Blue'' is a stage musical with music and lyrics by Cole Porter and a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. It premiered on Broadway in 1936 and introduced the popular song "It's De-Lovely," sung by Ethel Merman and Bob Hope.
T ...
'', in which it was introduced by
Ethel Merman
Ethel Merman (born Ethel Agnes Zimmermann, January 16, 1908 – February 15, 1984) was an American actress and singer, known for her distinctive, powerful voice, and for leading roles in musical theatre.Obituary ''Variety'', February 22, 1984. ...
. The lyric scheme juxtaposes images of high and low. It is a lament from the point of view of a rich woman in a
penthouse apartment
A penthouse is an apartment or unit on the highest floor of an apartment building, condominium, hotel or tower
A tower is a tall Nonbuilding structure, structure, taller than it is wide, often by a significant factor. Towers are distingui ...
higher than any building but the
Empire State Building
The Empire State Building is a 102-story Art Deco skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. The building was designed by Shreve, Lamb & Harmon and built from 1930 to 1931. Its name is derived from "Empire State", the nickname of the st ...
, who looks down on the busy city life below her but nevertheless feels she is at the lowest and poorest point of her life because she is lonely. Porter's melody is musically intertwined with the lyric scheme in a similar manner to his song "
Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye
"Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye" is a popular jazz song with lyrics and music by Cole Porter. Part of the Great American Songbook, it was published by Chappell & Company and introduced by Nan Wynn and Jere McMahon in 1944 in Billy Rose's musical revue ...
."
The song was a late edition to the show only being added during the Boston tryout.
Notable recordings
*
Johnny Hartman
John Maurice Hartman (July 3, 1923 – September 15, 1983) was an American jazz singer who specialized in ballads. He sang and recorded with Earl Hines' and Dizzy Gillespie's big bands and with Erroll Garner. Hartman is best remembered for hi ...
- ''
Songs from the Heart'' (1955)
*
Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917June 15, 1996) was an American jazz singer, sometimes referred to as the "First Lady of Song", "Queen of Jazz", and "Lady Ella". She was noted for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing, timing, in ...
- ''
Ella Loves Cole
''Ella Loves Cole'' is a 1972 studio album by Ella Fitzgerald, arranged by Nelson Riddle, of songs written by Cole Porter.
This was Fitzgerald's first album of songs dedicated to a single composer since 1964's ''Ella Fitzgerald Sings the John ...
'' (1972), ''
Newport Jazz Festival: Live at Carnegie Hall'' (1973)
*
Sylvia Syms
Sylvia May Laura Syms (born 6 January 1934) is an English actress, best known for her roles in the films ''Woman in a Dressing Gown'' (1957), ''Ice Cold in Alex'' (1958), ''No Trees in the Street'' (1959), ''Victim'' (1961), and ''The Tamari ...
- ''Songs By Sylvia Syms'' (1952)
*
Tony Bennett
Anthony Dominick Benedetto (born August 3, 1926), known professionally as Tony Bennett, is an American retired singer of traditional pop standards, big band, show tunes, and jazz. Bennett is also a painter, having created works under his birth ...
included the song in his album ''
Here's to the Ladies
''Here's to the Ladies'' is an album by Tony Bennett, released in 1995.
The theme of the album was songs made famous by female singers. The album won Bennett the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance. It peaked at No. 1 on ''Bill ...
'' (1995)
*
Lisa Stansfield
Lisa Jane Stansfield (born 11 April 1966) is an English singer, songwriter, and actress. Her career began in 1980 when she won the singing competition ''Search for a Star''. After appearances in various television shows and releasing her first ...
recorded "Down in the Depths" for ''
Red Hot + Blue
Red is the color at the long wavelength end of the visible spectrum of light, next to orange and opposite violet. It has a dominant wavelength of approximately 625–740 nanometres. It is a primary color in the RGB color model and a secondar ...
'', a 1990 Cole Porter tribute album in aid of HIV/AIDS awareness.
References
Songs written by Cole Porter
Ella Fitzgerald songs
1936 songs
Lisa Stansfield songs
Torch songs
Songs about loneliness
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