Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall in Love) - Ella Fitzgerald

On 11 February 2019 I set myself the challenging of reading 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die by Robert Dimery (ed.) and following the book’s advice to the letter. I’ve previously read 1001 Films… and started 1001 Albums… but felt 1001 Songs… would be a sensible place to start for what I have in mind here.

My challenge is to read about one song per day and listen to it (YouTube and Spotify, I need you tonight!) before sharing my own thoughts. Some songs I will love, others I’ll hate, and I’m sure there will be those that leave me perplexed but listen to them I shall.

I’ll also try, and most likely fail, to pinpoint the best song from the 1001 on offer but I’m nothing if not foolhardy. Instead of one song, I’m predicting I’ll have about 100 favourites by the end and may have to resort to a Top 10 so far to maintain any semblance of sanity.

So long as I post everyday (including Christmas) then this challenge should come to an end on Wednesday 8 November 2021. Staying with the Barney Stinson theme I am hoping that the whole experience will prove to be…

Ella Fitzgerald – Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall in Love) (1956)

Let’s Do It, Let’s Fall in Love

” Let’s Do It, Let’s Fall in Love” (also known as ” Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall in Love)” or simply ” Let’s Do It”) is a popular song written in 1928 by Cole Porter. It was introduced in Porter’s first Broadway success, the musical (1928) by French chanteuse Irène Bordoni for whom Porter had written the musical as a starring vehicle.

Lyrics (via Genius)

This Genius entry is for the Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong but the lyrics are the same. The lyrics given after ‘Other verses I’ve seen in print’ are not included.

Read “Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall In Love)” by Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong on Genius

We’re back in the US today and our chosen song actually began life way back in 1928. Written by Cole Porter for the musical Paris, Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall in Love), would go on to be covered by many artists after its debut. Of all the versions there have been the one that is deemed most worthy of this list comes from jazz singer – Ella Fitzgerald.

Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall in Love) is a straightforward enough love song if you float on the surface of its meaning. Those that venture into the depths will find something more. Ella Fitzgerald sings of a plethora of different things all doing it, including varying nationalities and even marine life. For some it is just the act of falling in love that she is referring to but many have picked up on double entendres in the song and are confident that it’s actually in reference to the joys of sex and how all living things are doing it.

Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall in Love) has some memorable lyrics as it lists the wide range of living things partaking of physical intimacy. In this version of the song, the melody is very much in the background and it is down to Ella Fitzgerald to carry the song from start to finish. That she has such a great voice ensures that this challenge doesn’t appear to be a challenge at all.

Favourite songs so far:

Edith Piaf – La Vie en Rose (1946)

Elmore James – Dust My Broom (1952)

Little Richard – Tutti Frutti (1955)