One of Irving Berlin's early ballads from 1921
The Parlor Songs Academy is an organization dedicated to the preservation of America's musical heritage.
Story behind the song
In 1921, Irving Berlin and his partner Sam Harris opened their own theater in New York called The Music Box. Berlin wanted a song that would serve to dedicate his new theater as well as capture the spirit of the "revues" he planned to stage there. Taking a spare fifty-two note melody, Berlin enlivened it with a bit of syncopation.
Lyrics
Say it with music, beautiful music
Somehow they'd rather be kissed
To the strains of Chopin or Liszt
A melody mello, played on a cello
Helps Mr. Cupid along
So say it with a beautiful song.
