Last Night When We Were Young
Encyclopedia
"Last Night When We Were Young" is a 1935 popular song composed by Harold Arlen
, with lyrics by Yip Harburg
. Arlen regarded it as the favourite of the songs that he had written.
Lawrence Tibbett
recorded the song on October 9, 1935. It was cut from his film Metropolitan
but performed instrumentally behind the credits.
"Last Night When We Were Young" was highly regarded by Judy Garland
, who recorded it twice, and frequently performed it. Composer Alec Wilder
called it a "most remarkable and beautiful song" that "goes far beyond the boundaries of popular music." Continuing, he stated that "[i]t is unlike any other Arlen song that I have heard. However, it is unmistakably his." Harburg did not know where he acquired the title, saying, "the juxtaposition of those two phrases is almost a whole world of philosophy".
Harold Arlen
Harold Arlen was an American composer of popular music, having written over 500 songs, a number of which have become known the world over. In addition to composing the songs for The Wizard of Oz, including the classic 1938 song, "Over the Rainbow,” Arlen is a highly regarded contributor to the...
, with lyrics by Yip Harburg
Yip Harburg
Edgar Yipsel Harburg , known as E.Y. Harburg or Yip Harburg, was an American popular song lyricist who worked with many well-known composers...
. Arlen regarded it as the favourite of the songs that he had written.
Lawrence Tibbett
Lawrence Tibbett
Lawrence Mervil Tibbett was a great American opera singer and recording artist who also performed as a film actor and radio personality. A baritone, he sang with the New York Metropolitan Opera company more than 600 times from 1923 to 1950...
recorded the song on October 9, 1935. It was cut from his film Metropolitan
Metropolitan (1935 film)
Metropolitan is a 1935 back-stage drama film interlaced with songs and musical segments from opera.Directed by Ryszard Bolesławski , it featured the famous baritone Lawrence Tibbett , with Virginia Bruce as his leading lady...
but performed instrumentally behind the credits.
"Last Night When We Were Young" was highly regarded by Judy Garland
Judy Garland
Judy Garland was an American actress and singer. Through a career that spanned 45 of her 47 years and for her renowned contralto voice, she attained international stardom as an actress in musical and dramatic roles, as a recording artist and on the concert stage...
, who recorded it twice, and frequently performed it. Composer Alec Wilder
Alec Wilder
Alec Wilder was an American composer.-Biography:...
called it a "most remarkable and beautiful song" that "goes far beyond the boundaries of popular music." Continuing, he stated that "[i]t is unlike any other Arlen song that I have heard. However, it is unmistakably his." Harburg did not know where he acquired the title, saying, "the juxtaposition of those two phrases is almost a whole world of philosophy".
Notable recordings
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