Artists
Musicians featured in this piece are:
Patty Andrews – lead vocals
Maxene Andrews – vocals
LaVerne Andrews – vocals
Vic Schoen – bandleader, orchestra
English lyrics by Sammy Cahn & Saul Chaplin, adapted from the original Yiddish song “Bei Mir Bistu Shein” by Sholom Secunda & Jacob Jacobs (1932). Recorded November 24, 1937, released on Decca Records as part of the single “Nice Work if You Can Get It” (December 1937); reached #1 on the US charts in January 1938.
This recording became The Andrews Sisters’ breakthrough hit and the first gold record ever awarded to a female vocal group. Songwriter Sammy Cahn reportedly discovered the original Yiddish song at Harlem’s Apollo Theater and convinced his employer to buy the rights so he and Saul Chaplin could adapt it into English with a swing arrangement; the sisters, then still unknown, are said to have started singing along and “rocking with it” the moment Cahn played it for them on piano. Original writers Sholom Secunda and Jacob Jacobs had sold the publishing rights for just $30 before the song’s massive success, though they were later restored to the credits and shared in the song’s royalties.
The Andrews Sisters – Bei Mir Bist Du Schön Lyrics
Of all the boys I’ve known and I’ve known some
Until I first met you I was lonesome
And when you came in sight, dear, my heart grew light
And this old world seemed new to me
You’re really swell, I have to admit you
Deserve expressions that really fit you
And so I’ve racked my brain hoping to explain
All the things that you do to me
Bei mir bist du schön, please let me explain
‘Bei mir bist du schön’ means you’re grand
Bei mir bist du schön, again I’ll explain
It means you’re the fairest in the land
I could say ‘bella, bella’ even ‘sehr wunderbar’
Each language only helps me tell you how grand you are
I’ve tried to explain, ‘bei mir bist du schön’
So kiss me and say you understand
Bei mir bist du schön
You’ve heard it all before but let me try to explain
‘Bei mir bist du schön’ means that you’re grand
‘Bei mir bist du schön,’ it’s such an old refrain
And yet I should explain, it means I am begging for your hand
I could say ‘bella, bella’ even ‘sehr wunderbar’
Each language only helps me tell you how grand you are
I could say ‘bella, bella’ even ‘sehr wunderbar’
Each language only helps me tell you how grand you are
I’ve tried to explain ‘bei mir bist du schn’
So kiss me and say that you will understand!
To listen to other songs from the Teleskop 15 program and the full program, click here.