No. 16. “I Got Rhythm”
GIRL CRAZY (1930). By George Gershwin (music), Ira Gershwin (lyrics), and Guy Bolton & John McGowan (book).
Winter, 1930. You’re at the new Gershwin musical, Girl Crazy. George Gershwin, all of 32, is already one of the most influential and lauded composers of the day. You’re familiar with both his hit musical comedies and his classical orchestral pieces, like “Rhapsody in Blue.” This evening promises to be more like the former. The story is silly stuff: Danny, a spoiled metropolitan playboy, is banished to his family’s Arizona ranch to become more serious and get away from showgirls and jazz . The only woman around is the local postmistress, Molly, played by an actress named Ginger Rogers, making her Broadway debut. Danny and Molly spend Act 1 butting heads and falling in love through a couple of swell tunes—“Could You Use Me” and “Embraceable You.” Danny decides Arizonians deserve showgirls too and brings in a singer (Kate) played by another actress in her Broadway debut: a 22-year-old named Ethel Merman. Near the end of Act 1, Kate leads a big production number for the ranch, “I Got Rhythm.” Merman’s big note at the end rings out like nothing you’ve ever heard. Who could ask for anything more indeed.
“I Got Rhythm” made a star out of its original singer, Ethel Merman and remains one of George and Ira Gershwin’s most enduring songs. While Girl Crazy is seldom produced, “…Rhythm” is one of the most frequently performed songs ever written, interpolated into other musicals and every sort of variety show or concert imaginable. It became a foundational jazz standard, with its chord progression—referred to as “rhythm changes”—forming the bases for several other jazz standards and countless improvisations. If you had music classes in school, or sang in choir, you have probably sung this at some point.
Recommended Recording: ”I Got Rhythm,” Girl Crazy (1943 Film Soundtrack)
The Merm never got to make any sort of Girl Crazy cast recording (though she has recorded “…Rhythm” many times). So, despite spending two paragraphs talking about how “I Got Rhythm” is strongly associated with Ethel Merman, I’m going to recommend a non-Merman performance in paragraph three. Girl Crazy received three film adaptations, all of which feature largely new (though similar) plots and song placements, but only one of which is considered to be any good. The 1943 adaptation stars Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney in their final joint vehicle, and it is thoroughly delightful. Garland plays a hybrid of the Rogers and Merman roles. “I Got Rhythm” is a spectacular Bubsy Berkeley finale—so spectacular that it got Berkeley fired from the movie, leaving the rest to be directed by Norman Taurog. This “soundtrack” recording is really a studio recording of Judy Garland singing songs from the movie, with different performances and arrangements than what appears on screen. I recommend watching the movie, but I think this soundtrack edition is a great listen. Judy Garland has to be the most influential force on the American musical who never appeared in a Broadway musical, and this is as good a time as any over the course of this project to honor her.
Alternate Performances
Girl Crazy has received 5 loosely-defined cast recordings, including the soundtrack to a 1965 screen adaption called When the Boys Meet the Girls. “I Got Rhythm” has been recorded countless times (including a particularly infectious 1967 version by The Happenings). It has appeared on at least 25 movies and TV shows (even as recently as 2022’s The Boys), plus a mountain of variety shows, dancing competitions, and any special featuring a Pops Orchestra. It makes a fun appearance in The Lucy Show: Merman plays herself, but Lucy thinks Merman is a woman named Agnes. Lucy tries to teach “Agnes” how to sing like Ethel Merman, using a recording of “…Rhythm.”
An American in Paris (1951) - This lush jukebox-musical of Gershwin hits follows an American veteran (Gene Kelley) as he moves to Paris following World War II to become an artist. “I Got Rhythm” becomes a charming number between Kelley and some French local children. Kelley points to the children who say “I got” and he continues with the phrase. The film, which culminates in a 17-minute ballet set to the title piece, was a huge hit and Best Picture-winner. Vincent Minnelli (short-term husband of Judy Garland and father to Liza) directed, and Kelley choreographed. The movie was adapted into a Broadway musical in 2015 where “…Rhythm” became a friendship song for the trio of male leads.
1990 Studio Cast - This is likely the only comprehensive cast recording we will ever get of the original score (featuring the incomparable Robert Russell Bennett’s orchestrations). Lorna Luft (another Garland daughter) plays Kate and leads “I Got Rhythm.”
Crazy for You (1992) - Billed as “The New Gershwin Musical Comedy,” Crazy for You starts with the basic “playboy goes out west to make musicals happen in the desert” concept of Girl Crazy, and retains a handful songs, but otherwise invents new characters and plot, and interpolating the rest of the score from other Gershwin projects. “I Got Rhythm,” sung by Jodi Benson (the voice of Ariel), becomes an epic Act 1-closing production number in which a sleepy town builds up their spirits after their “grand opening” of a new hit musical fails to attract an audience. The production marked Susan Stroman’s Broadway debut as a choreographer, and her inventive routines full of clever sight gags and old fashioned tap-dancing made her an instant star. Crazy for You has received 9 cast recordings, and a proshot from a 1999 Paper Mill Playhouse production.
Is it Covered by The Rat Pack, Audra McDonald, or Glee?
The Rat Pack - We’ve already established that Judy Garland gets partial Rat Pack credit. “…Rhythm” also appeared on an episode of The Dean Martin Show. It’s also been covered in a Rat Pack-style by Bobby Darin and Tony Bennet.
Audra McDonald - A 1999 televised Audra concert, conducted by Keith Lockhart, opens with the orchestra playing sections from Crazy for You, including “I Got Rhythm.”
In the Wings
Song No. 17 will drop next week. Some topics for further study:
William Grant Still’s claim the Gershwin at least partly plagiarized “I Got Rhythm” (a story that coincidentally relates to Shuffle Along).
The influence the Gershwin estate has had over copyright law in America. (I believe “I Got Rhythm” should enter the public domain on January 1, 2026.)
Susan Stroman’s website has some wonderful personal reflections on her experience with Crazy for You.
