 |
This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (October 2008) |
"Rags to Riches" is a 1953 popular song by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. The best-known version of the song was recorded by Tony Bennett and reached #1 on the Billboard chart in 1953. In the same year, a version by David Whitfield reached #3 in the British charts. Later recordings by Sunny and the Sunliners (#45 in 1963) and Elvis Presley (#33 in 1971) also made the Billboard charts.
The two themes that make up the main portion of the song and the tango-like bridge section were originally written by Charlie Chaplin as accompaniment to his movies. The themes tell a story of a magic elf who regained her youth by drinking three cups of enchanted gypsy blood. Similarly, the song "Smile" which was also a hit in the early 1950s is based on a theme from Chaplin's Modern Times.
The song was used in the film, Goodfellas at the beginning Where Henry Hill just closes the trunk of the car and says "As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster".
"Rags to Riches" provided the basis for an unusual moment late in Elvis's career. Near the end of a New Year's Eve concert on December 31, 1976/January 1, 1977, Elvis announced he would sing the song -- which his band evidently hadn't rehearsed and didn't know. Playing piano, and giving chord instructions to his surprised band members, Elvis delivered a passionate rendition, climaxing with a series of near-operatic high notes before the last word "you." The effort earned a loud ovation from the audience in Pittsburgh's Civic Arena. However, the moment would never be repeated; this was the only time Elvis sang the song in live performance. The moment was captured on a recording by an audience member that was later bootlegged.[citation needed]
| Preceded by St. George and the Dragonet |
Cash Box magazine best selling record chart #1 record November 14, 1953 |
Succeeded by Eh, Cumpari! |
| Preceded by Eh, Cumpari! |
Cash Box magazine best selling record chart #1 record November 28, 1953 – December 19, 1953 |
Succeeded by Oh! My Pa-Pa (Oh, Mein Papa) |
|
|||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
 |
This pop standards-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
