"No Strings (I'm Fancy Free)" is a popular song written by

Irving Berlin Irving Berlin (born Israel Beilin; yi, ישראל ביילין; May 11, 1888 – September 22, 1989) was a Russian-American composer, songwriter and lyricist. His music forms a large part of the Great American Songbook. Born in Imperial Russ ...

for the 1935 film ''

Top Hat A top hat (also called a high hat, a cylinder hat, or, informally, a topper) is a tall, flat-crowned hat for men traditionally associated with formal wear in Western dress codes, meaning white tie, morning dress, or frock coat. Traditional ...

'', where it was introduced by

Fred Astaire Fred Astaire (born Frederick Austerlitz; May 10, 1899 – June 22, 1987) was an American dancer, choreographer, actor, and singer. He is often called the greatest dancer in Hollywood film history. Astaire's career in stage, film, and tele ...

. In the film, the character played by Astaire is advised to get married and Astaire responds by saying he prefers to remain as a bachelor and he launches into this song and a major dance routine.( Top Hat#Musical numbers and choreography)

Lyrics

In me, you see a youth
Who is completely on the loose
No yens, no yearnings No strings and no connections
No ties to my affections
I'm fancy free and free for anything fancy No dates that can't be broken
No words that can't be spoken
Especially when I am feeling romancy Like a robin upon a tree
Like a sailor that goes to sea
Like an unwritten melody
I'm free, that's me So bring on the big attraction
My decks are cleared for action
I'm fancy free and free for anything fancy

Notable recordings

's 1935 recording for Brunswick (catalog No. 7486) was very popular that year and Astaire recorded it again in 1952 for his album ''

The Astaire Story ''The Astaire Story'' is a 1952 album by Fred Astaire. The album was conceived of and produced by Norman Granz, the founder of Clef Records (and later Verve Records), who was also responsible for the Jazz at the Philharmonic concerts, at which a ...

''. *

Ramona ''Ramona'' is a 1884 American novel written by Helen Hunt Jackson. Set in Southern California after the Mexican–American War, it portrays the life of a mixed-race Scottish– Native American orphan girl, who suffers racial discrimination and ...

, ''Ramona and Her Grand Piano'', recorded 9/13/1935.Ramona and Her Grand Piano, CD, Old Masters, George Morrow, Echo Productions, Hayward, CA MB 116, liner notes, n/'' *

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 Fitzgerald Sings the Irving Berlin Songbook ''Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Irving Berlin Song Book'' is a 1958 studio album by the American jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald, with a studio orchestra conducted and arranged by Paul Weston, focusing on the songs of Irving Berlin. It was part of the popu ...

'' (1958)

References

{{authority control Songs written by Irving Berlin Songs written for films Fred Astaire songs 1935 songs